A Trip Down the Memory Lane: Meteor Garden Taiwan Filming Locations

It has been 21 years since Philippines aired their highest-rated Asianovela on May 5, 2003 - the Taiwanese version of Meteor Garden starred by 5 of the most well-known Taiwanese actors: Jerry Yan, Barbie Hsu, Vic Zhou, Ken Chu, Vaness Wu. I was 11 years old when it was aired and I could still barely remember how the streets were filled with huge posters of the famous F4 with Shancai. I even asked my mom to buy me notebooks with their faces on the cover because I was so head-over-heels with this drama. Every time I go home from school, my tita and lola is on television standby waiting for the air time of Meteor Garden, and I can't help but watch with them. It was also the start of me going crazy with Hua Ze Lei (played by Vic Zhou)- the shy and quiet guy among the F4. 

Everyone was going crazy with Dao Ming Si (played by Jerry Yan) - and that was why most girls are attracted to bad boys. Dao Ming Si became the standard during this era, and when I tried to watch the entire series when I was planning for my birthday trip in Taiwan, I understood why everyone loved his personality.

I have watched all versions of Meteor Garden - Boys Over Flowers (Korea), Hana Yori Dango (Japan), Meteor Garden 2018 (China) and still nothing beats the Taiwanese version. 

One of the most iconic spots in Meteor Garden is National Chung Cheng University in Chiayi, which stood in for the prestigious Ying De University. With its grand architecture, wide open spaces, and peaceful atmosphere, you can easily picture the dramatic moments between Shan Cai and Dao Ming Si unfolding here.

University Filming Locations:

• National Chung Cheng University - Chiyayi, Taiwan
• Tamkang University - Tamsui, Taiwan
• Kainan University - Taoyuan,  Taiwan

How to go to National Chung Cheng University:

Option 1: via Taiwan High Speed Rail

• Ride the Taiwan High Speed Rail going to Chiayi
• From Chiayi Station, ride bus 101 going to National Chung Cheng University (leaves every hour)
• or: if the bus is not available, you can ride a taxi going to National Chung Cheng University (rate ranges from NT$600-650)

Option 2: via Ubus

• Ride the Ubus from Taipei Main Station > National Chung Cheng University

As I start a nostalgic journey through this blog, join me to a trip down the memory lane while I revisit the filming locations of Meteor Garden Taiwan, and let's relive our childhood with these photos and videos.

Entry to the university is free.

The famous facade of Ying De University - Library (National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan)

To be honest, the university is just a normal school, it's extremely hot in Chiayi when we went there but nothing compares to the nostalgic vibes it brings when I see the filming spots.

The Rooftop where Hua Ze Lei & Shancai meets - Administration Building (National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan)

Entry to the Admin building is not allowed so I just took a picture below.

Quadrangle where F4 Graduated - University Square (National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan)

Who else remembers the first episode of Meteor Garden Season 2 when F4 graduated? This is where it was filmed - the University Square at National Chung Cheng University.

Ahh! The bridge where Shancai met Qing He when he first transferred to Ying De University. This is in the Activity Center.

The iconic lake where Shancai and Qing He ate their lunch and where Dao Ming Si saw them. This is the Tranquility Lake. However the water no longer looks clean when we visited.

Shancai ran from the rooftop to this staircase and this is where they had their first kiss.

This is not the correct location because the real road was at the entrance of National Chung Cheng University but I couldn't film there because we were waiting for the bus to arrive already. I just took a random shot with trees lol. But the real location is Jian Kang and Jiji Road as referenced on the photos.

I couldn't contain my happiness when I saw Shancai's lockers at the Basement of Library and Information. These lockers where students get their red cards are iconic, no one can even forget locker#150.

This canteen looks ordinary but this is where the F4 stays. This is also from the Basement of Library & Information Building

Ahh! The grand staircase where the F4 walks. It really feels nostalgic walking here! This is the Activity Center.

There are still a lot of filming locations that I still need to visit but I have listed them down on my bucket list for now. My stay in Taiwan is not enough to really visit every place so I'll probably come back to take photos and videos and update this blog.

Here are more filming locations outside the National Chung Cheng University:

This is definitely one of the highlights of my Taiwan trip and also the most expensive part (because of the transportation), but I'll definitely always remember how I also walked on the pavements of these locations knowing that these stars also walked on them. And I can't wait to go back. 

A short video to reminisce my trip to Chiayi County Taiwan: