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. A day of trip and driving will make the natural hot spring bath in your hotel room a reward you’ll enjoy and remember.
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 from you
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Prices based on twin occupancy
- The prices shown are not valid during any official holidays (including National Day, New Year’s Day and Chinese Spring Festival, etc.)
- The itinerary may be adjusted due to any unforeseen circumstances
- Optional tours to other destinations are also available
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into a private tour
- Arrangements for entering and exiting Taiwan from / to Hong Kong and Indochina are also available
- Stays at Taipei can be extended upon your request incurring an extra cost.
Important information – FOR SMALL GROUP TOUR
- This is a small group tour with fixed itinerary and guaranteed departures.
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
- Prices based on twin occupancy
- The prices shown are not valid during any official holidays (including National Day, New Year’s Day and Chinese Spring Festival etc.)
- The itinerary may be adjusted due to any unforeseen circumstances
- Arrangements for entering and exiting Taiwan from/to Hong Kong and Indochina are also available
- Stays at Taipei can be extended upon your request incurring an extra cost.
General important information
Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.
Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: online credit card payment and PayPal payments incur surcharges.
Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.
Cities for Commencement of Tours
Taipei for multi-day small group, and most private tours, unless otherwise specified.
Any city for custom tours.
Express Trains
Standard seat for five star (Luxury) and four stars (Superior) tour packages.
Destination Transfer
Air-conditioned vehicle with licensed driver.
Arrive Early
Accommodation options are available for early arrival prior to commencement of tour. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Stay Behind
Accommodation options for staying behind after completion of tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout, or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Tour Guide
All ChinaTour.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours, which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops.
Tour groups of 1-2 (<3) people will be provided with a guide/driver rather than a driver and a guide.
Small Group Size:
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.
Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.
Accommodation
Five star and four star hotels with premium location selected by ChinaTours.com are one of the best hotels in each destination.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements available on request; additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passenger’s request. Additional charges may apply due to third party or hotel request.
Child/Infant Policy
Child/infant price can be quoted separately.
Free of charge for Infant age 2 and under; child price valid for 2 to 11 years old.
Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors allowed.
Meals
All breakfast included. Lunch and dinner are excluded allowing you to choose cuisines. Guides will provide recommendations and guide you there.
Exclusions
- International flights to/from Taiwan
- Visa
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature.
- Our tour package does not include Travel Insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Other Important Information
Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase. or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of the booking. In this instance customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
A passport validity should be at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan.
Visas
For the visitors come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visa on arrival, no visa required if they stay less than 60 days. Otherwise, visitors must obtain a visa or authorization in advance. Please start arranging your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours.
Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.
Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:
- First change – No charge
- For all subsequent changes – USD50
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel provider) cannot be waived
Cancellation
For China Tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which are stated as follows:
More than 120 days prior to tour start date, no cancellation fee
60 -120 days prior to tour start date: 10 percent cancellation fee
31 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
15 – 30 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by the third party (airline/cruise/train company, hotel, other service provider, card fee, bank fee) cannot be waived.