ABOUT THE ITINERARY
After delving into the history and tantalising food scene of Taipei, you’ll begin a journey that will lead you to the beautiful shores of Sun Moon Lake, to the salt fields at Beinan and to the 17th century Confucius Temple in Tainan.
You’ll spend time in the ‘Maritime Capital’ of Kaohsiung, get up close to the marble-walled canyons of Taroko National Park, and take a boat ride along the lush Sicaco Green Tunnel. A fabulous adventure.
DESIGNED BY SPECIALISTS
Bear in mind, these are just a starting point as all holidays are customised to the specific requirements of our guests. Whether you prefer a different style of accommodation, a greater focus on a particular interest or to go to a different destination all together, every itinerary is created individually around your preferences.
TAIPEI
Landing in Taiwan’s capital, you’ll be transferred by private car to your palatial hotel in the buzzing neighbourhood of Zhongshan.
Setting out with your guide, you’ll discover everything from the impressive monument of Chiang Kai-shek to the National Palace Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Chinese artefacts. At 509m, the bamboo-shaped Taipei 101 dominates Taipei’s skyline, and offers unrivalled views from its 89th floor observatory. You’ll stop for dinner at Michelin-starred Din Tai Feng, leaving room to sample some of the delectable street food on offer in Rahoe, one of Taipei’s oldest night markets.
The following day, you’ll visit the incredible rock formations at Yehliu Geographic Park, the scenic Shifen Waterfall, and the old gold mining town of Jiufen, where closely-packed houses cling to steep mountainsides. After exploring the charming Shifen railway station area, you’ll conclude your time in Taipei by releasing sky lanterns – a classic Taiwanese tradition.
Stay: Three nights in a Deluxe Room at The Grand Hotel
SUN MOON LAKE
Leaving Taipei behind, make your way to Sun Moon Lake in the centre of Taiwan. En route, stop for a photo with the giant beer outside the Zhunan Brewery, touted as the largest brewery in Southeast Asia.
Surrounded by thick forests and enchanting alpine scenery, Sun Moon Lake is easily one of the most beautiful places in Taiwan. The tiny Lalu Island separates the lake into a section shaped like a crescent moon, and another section shaped like a round sun, hence the name. Boat trips, bike rides, hiking trails and tea tastings can all be enjoyed. Don’t miss a visit to Wen Wu Temple or the village of Ita Thao where you can try delectable Aboriginal cuisine.
Stay: One night in a Classic Mountain View Room at Fleur de Chine Hotel
TAINAN
Today you’ll visit to the salt fields at Beinan, a popular sunset spot where you can see the traditional drying, raking and harvesting of salt. Not to mention the striking Beinan Crystal Church.
Next stop is Tainan, a former Dutch colony and Taiwan’s oldest city. Top sights include the Confucius Temple, the Chihkan Tower and the 17th century Aping Fort and Treehouse. A cruise down the Sicaco Green Tunnel is an essential Tainan experience. Known to the locals as the ‘Little Amazon River’, the mangrove forests on either side of the tunnel grow together to form an enchanting natural corridor.
Later, you’ll visit the ‘Grand Canyon’ of Caoshan, an impressive expanse of badlands with fascinating geological features. You’ll then round up your time with a musical performance at Tem Drums Cultural Village.
Stay: Two nights in a Superior Room at The Place Hotel
KAOHSIUNG
Your journey now brings you to southern Taiwan and the bustling port city of Kaohsiung. Enjoy visits to pretty Lotus Lake and its profusion of temples, including the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. Stop by the monastery of Fo Guang Shan to see a giant bronze Buddha and get a deeper insight into one of the island’s major religions. In the afternoon, head to the Great Harbor Bridge to witness Taiwan’s first horizontally rotating landscape bridge in action.
You can also hop on a ferry to the little island of Qijin, where you’ll find a lively old street, sandy beaches and the 300-year-old Tianhou Temple. Back on the mainland, spend some time at the Pier 2 Art Centre, before dedicating the evening to exploring the 138 stalls of the Liuhe Night Market.
Stay: Two nights in a Superior Room at Grand Hi Lai Hotel
TAITUNG
You now arrive in Taitung on the southeast coast, where Taiwan’s largest and most complete prehistoric settlement was discovered. Relics recovered from the site at Beinan Cultural Park, which include pottery, stone tools and jade, can be viewed at the Museum of Prehistory. Finish your day with a romantic evening stroll through Tiehua Music Village, a creative haven for Taitung’s emerging artists and musicians.
The next day, visit the seaside area of Xiaoyeliu to examine a myriad of unique sandstone rock formations, as well as the serene lake at Taitung Forest Park. The beach and islands at Sanxiantai are also worth exploring, where three huge rocks have spawned legends about Chinese saints. Finish at the Amis Folk Centre.
Stay: Two nights in a Knight King Room at Sheraton Taitung Hotel
TAROKO NATIONAL PARK
One of the nine national parks in Taiwan, Taroko National Park is renowned for its spectacular mountains and canyons. The Taroko Gorge, a 19km marble-walled canyon carved out by the Liwu River, gives the park its name.
Soak up the incredible landscapes along the popular Shakadang Trail and the Tunnel of Nine Turns. The latter covers the most scenic section of Taroko Gorge, where you can closely observe the faults, folds and layering of the marble walls. At Swallow Grotto, you can see birds like house swifts and Pacific swallows forage and nest in small holes in the marble cliff face. Finish at the Eternal Spring Shrine, a lovely temple set atop a natural spring that gushes out of the rocks into a waterfall.
Stay: One night in a Grand View Taroko Suite at Taroko Village Hotel
TAIPEI
Head back to Taipei, where you’ll enjoy one final night before your return journey home. Relax at your hotel or visit the National Centre of Traditional Arts, which sits beside the beautiful Dongshan River in Yilan.
Stay: One night in a Deluxe Room at The Grand Hotel
FLY HOME
Transfer to Taoyuan Airport for your return flight home.
PRICE INCLUDES
- International flights and transfers
- Accommodation as mentioned in itinerary
- Based on two people sharing
PRICE EXCLUDES
ITINERARY INSPIRATION
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