Highlights
Gain a revealing insight to unique Taiwan with this nine days round island tour. While only a relatively small island located to the east of mainland China, Taiwan has much to offer, with many natural, modern, ancient and man-made highlights visited as you traverse the island from north to south and back again. Commencing and finishing at the island’s capital, Taipei, enjoy comfortable road travel in air conditioned vehicles between overnight stops in Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Taitung, and Hualien. Visit many culturally and historically significant sights and take in beautiful natural landscapes along the way. With a balance of both modern and traditional, and all that makes Taiwan special, you will appreciate the easy pace of this tour that allows ample time to soak up each experience. Including numerous opportunities to relax and holiday in style – with bike riding along Tamshui River, cruise on Sun Moon Lake and natural hot spring baths – you’ll love the chance to tap into this well-kept China travel secret. A perfect tour for making beautiful travel memories.
| Vehicle | Air conditioned vehicle with licensed driver |
|---|---|
| Guide Service & Language | Professional English-speaking guide |
Itinerary
Upon arrival in Taipei, you will be met at the airport by your guide. On the way to the pre-booked hotel, your guide will point out the highlights and history of Taipei. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure.
Meals included: None
You will be collected from the hotel to begin Taipei tour after breakfast. The tour’s first point of interest is the world famous National Palace Museum, where your guide will ensure you derive maximum benefit by introducing you to the history and artefacts housed there, as prelude to exploring the archaeological wonders and historical exhibits at your leisure. Move from the museum to the Martyr’s Shrine, where you can see the ceremony of changing of the Honor Guards. Enjoy a change of pace with a leisurely bike ride at Da-dao-cheng along the Tam-shui River. A tour of Taipei would not be complete without a visit to the edifice commemorating the modern leader of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-Shek, in the Memorial Hall bearing his name. The day rounds up with a visit to the phenomenal tribute to modern engineering, the Taipei 101 Observatory. From the many viewing platforms on the 89th floor observation deck you can view extensive panoramas of all Taipei and capture the memories. The day ends when you are returned to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
After the breakfast, you will be driven to Sun Moon Lake, about 260 kilometres from Taipei. Upon arrival at Sun Moon Lake, you will start the tour by taking a one-hour relaxing cruise before paying a visit to Cien Pagoda and Wenwu Temple. Your guide will check you in at the hotel for an evening of relaxation and reflection.
Meals included: Breakfast
In the morning, you will enjoy bike riding along beautiful cycling tracks featured internationally on CNN Travel. Alternatively, travelers can take a hiking tour to Mount Maolan to absorb the scenery of Sun Moon Lake. Commence the drive to Tainan, formerly the Old Capital of Taiwan with its centuries-old fortresses and temples. You will visit the historical Chikhan Tower, previously referred to as Provintia, a fortress built by the Dutch in the mid-1600s. Stops will be made at Koxinga’s Shrine and Confucius Shrine. You will be taken for check-in at your Tainan hotel for a relaxing evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Start the day by visiting to the Fort of Anping (Zeelandia), Anping Old Street and Anping Tree House (Former Tait & Co. Merchant House). You’ll have an opportunity to visit them all with your guide providing commentary on the region’s history, variously punctuated by international trade, occupation by the Dutch and Japanese, dereliction, and now restoration as efforts are maintained to preserve it.
Leave Tainan to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery to enjoy a relaxed walking tour around this remarkable shrine to Chinese Buddhism in all its forms. Appreciate the serenity of the surroundings and the temple’s residents who have dedicated their lives to the practice of Buddhism.
Proceed to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second largest city, where you will take a ferry trip to Chi-jin Peninsula to visit the Seafood Street and Matsu Temple before checking in to your Kaohsiung hotel. Relax and enjoy the local delicacies at the Liuhe Night Market if time permits.
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be driven to Kenting National Park, located at the very south of Taiwan. Kenting National Park gained its enviable reputation for beautiful beaches, idyllic vegetation and diverse corals, which thrive there. With the tour taking the scenic route, there will be stops at Maopitou, Oluanpi Light House, Long Pan Park, and other notable local sights. Following time at the Kenting National Park, your tour continues to Taitung via south-link highway passing by villages of the local aboriginal people and scenery southeast coast. Stopover at Duoliang Station, a former railway station, now is a good spot for the view of Pacific coastline. Check in to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
In the morning, visit the Beinan Cultural Park where you will explore the prehistory of Taiwan at the National Museum of Prehistory and the Beinan Archaeological Site. Depart Taitung and proceed to Hualien. Stops will be made on the way when you reach Tropic of Cancer Marker, Baqi Scenic Lookout and one of the Xiaoyeliu Scenic Area, Sanxiantai Bridge and Shitiping. On arrival in Hualien, you will be checked into the hotel and free to enjoy your evening. Alternatively, visit the famous Dongdamen Night Market to relax and enjoy the local delicacies.
Meals included: Breakfast
Prepare yourself for the day of exploring after breakfast when you drive to Taroko Gorge for a tour that showcases the very best of the world famous Taroko National Park. A reflection of Taiwan’s commitment to environmental protection, Taroko National Park covers over 92,000 hectares in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. Well-known for its mountains and gorges, today’s visit provides the opportunity to pass by the Tunnel of Nine Turns, stop at Swallow Grotto, reflect at the Eternal Spring Shrine, walk the Shakadang Trails, and observe the vista from Taroko Gorge Gateway, the most impressive of all the gorges.
Drive to Taipei in the late afternoon. Your guide will ensure you are safely checked in to the hotel where you can enjoy a relaxing evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Your guide and driver will transfer you from the hotel to Taoyuan International Airport for your departure flight. Your Taiwan tour concludes today.
Meals included: Breakfast
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Activities as specified in the itinerary
- Excellent professional English-speaking guide
- Ground transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver as specified
- 4-Star or 5-Star hotel accommodation with breakfast, based on double/twin occupancy as specified
- Bike-riding at Da-dao-cheng
- Cruise on Sun Moon Lake
- Express train trip Hualien to Taipei
- Travel agency liability insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions
- International/domestic flights and trains to/from Taipei
- Visa
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature
- Meals: Lunches and dinners are excluded allowing you flexibility around meal choices. Your guide is able to make recommendations and order for you, if required.
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
Important information – FOR PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travellers in the group apart