Taiwan: Charm and Grandeur
travel package - 10 days / 9 nights
For a holiday full to the brim with brilliant variety in close proximity, Taiwan is the place for you! Delve into the past by exploring mystic temples, roaming in quaint gold-mining villages, and discovering the lighter side of former headhunting tribes (who have long ago turned their talents to tourism!). When it comes to natural beauty, Taiwan has magnificent jewels, such as Sun Moon Lake, thrilling Taroko Gorge and Kenting National Park with everything in it from mountains to coral reef.
Day 1
Beijing / Shanghai - Taipei Flight from Beijing / Shanghai to Taipei.
Upon arrival at Chiang Kai-Shek international airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation hotel.
The remainder of the day will be free.
Overnight in Taipei
Day 2
Taipei (B, L) Yehliu, Chiufen Village After breakfast, we proceed to Keelung to visit Chung Ching Park and view the huge statue of the Goddess of Mercy and also a panoramic view of Keelung Harbor. Then we continue to Yehliu, famed for its numerous rock formations: Queen's head, Fairy Shoe and Lover's Rock.
Return to Taipei around noon for lunch.
In the afternoon, drive to Northeast Coast, visiting Pitou Cape and Nanya rock formations on the way to Chiufen Village. The villages of Chiufen were once centers of gold mining in Taiwan. The gold is gone, but these quaint old villages of closely-packed houses clinging to steep mountainsides, continue to offer enchanting scenery and fascinating glimpses into the lifestyles of the past.
Return to Taipei.
Overnight in Taipei Day 3
Taipei (B, L) City tour, Wulai Aboriginal Village After breakfast, our morning tour of Taipei City includes the impressive C.K.S. Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum, where 5,000 years of Chinese Imperial art and jade collections are exhibited, Martyrs' Shrine of traditional architecture and Taipei Handicraft Center.
After lunch, proceed to Wulai, about 10 miles south of Pitan. This is the most accessible area from Taipei to view the aboriginal tribesmen who once were the head hunters of Taiwan, descendants of the proud tribe of Taiyals. The present-day Wulai aborigines are now mainly involved in tourism, dressing in traditional costumes and doing cultural performances.
Overnight in Taipei Day 4
Taipei - Sanhsia - Yingko - Taipei (B, L) Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum, Pao An Temple, Tsu Shih Temple This morning, you will visit old Taipei with stops at Lin An Tai Historical House and Museum which was built during the Qhing Dynasty in 1783. Then you will visit Pao An Temple which was built more than 230 years ago, making it one of the island's oldest temples. It contains many ornate and intricate carvings. The morning tour will also take you to Dihua Old Street and to the health center to enjoy 20 minutes foot massage.
In the afternoon, we will drive to Sanhsia, about 22 km southwest of Taipei. It is a bustling town with narrow, winding streets and brick buildings at least a century old. The main attraction is the Tsu Shih (Divine Ancestor) Temple, built in honor of Sung Dynasty loyalist, Cheng Chao-ying.
After visiting Shanhsia, a short trip to the lush countryside southwest of Taipei brings you to Yingko where hand-painted replicas of elegant Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) vases are produced. The small town is Taiwan's pottery center and its narrow streets are lined with shops selling everything from earthenware tea sets to delicate statues.
Overnight in Taipei Day 5
Taipei (B, D) Yangmingshan Hot Spring, Lungshan Temple, Hwashi Street Night Market Morning at leisure.
In the afternoon visit Yangmingshan National Park. This mountainous area north of Taipei City, famous for its beautiful scenery, has traces of volcanic activity and abundant natural resources. We will enjoy the hot spring bath at Yangmingshan. The mild alkaline sulfuric hot springs have a light milky color and a temperature of about 70 degrees centigrade. Bathing in the hot-spring water has a relaxing and refreshing effect. In the evening, transfer to Mongolian Bar-B-Q Dinner Restaurant, a popular downtown restaurant featuring a variety of meats, venison, vegetables, spices and seasoning. Using your selected ingredients, the cook transforms them into a perfect dinner on a huge charcoal grill.
Afterwards, visit Lungshan Temple and Hwashi Street Night Market nearby which, together with night markets on Guangjou, Wujou and Shichen Streets, form a large unique market.
Overnight in Taipei Day 6
Taipei - Taichung - Sun Moon Lake (B, L) Bullet train ride, Sun Moon Lake, Wen Wu Temple After breakfast, you will be transferred to Taipei High Speed Railway Station to take the 1 hour high speed bullet train from Taipei to Taichung.
Continue to Sun Moon Lake by bus.
Sun Moon Lake, located in the middle of Taiwan, with an elevation of 748 meters above sea level, is the only natural big lake in Taiwan. The southern part of La Lu Island is shaped like a new moon, and the northern part is shaped like a sun; hence the name Sun Moon Lake.
We will visit the famous Wen Wu Temple or Literature Warrior Temple, dedicated to Confucius as Master of Pen and to Kuan Ti as Master of Sword, Holy Monk Shrine.
Overnight in Sun Moon Lake Day 7
Sun Moon Lake - Tainan - Kaohsiung (B, L) Koxinga Shrine, Spring and Autmn Pavilions, Love River After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Tainan by bus.
Tainan is one of the oldest cities in Taiwan and was its ancient capital. It is situated on the southwestern coastal plain of the island and enjoys a warm climate year-round. We will visit Koxinga Shrine, Chihkan Lou, and Chi Mei Museum.
After that, we will drive to Kaohsiung, which is the largest city in Southern Taiwan.
Visit the Spring and Autumn Pavilions, where you will find seven-tiered Dragon and Tiger pagodas standing in the water of Lotus Lake and a nine-cornered bridge linking the pagodas to the shore.
Then we will visit Love River.
Overnight in Kaohsiung Day 8
Kaohsiung - Kenting - Taitung (B, L) Kenting National Park After breakfast, transfer to Kenting by bus. Kenting National Park, as the centerpiece of the Hengchun Peninsula, is Taiwan's only tropical national park. The park includes mountains, forests, pasture, lakes, sand dunes, beaches, and coral reefs, just about everything one could desire to get close to Mother Nature!
In the afternoon, we will proceed to Taitung via the Scenic Southern Highway.
Overnight in Taitung Day 9
Taitung - Hualien - Taroko - Taipei (B, L) Taroko Gorge, Evergreen Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Marble Bridge, and a marble factory After breakfast, transfer to Taitung Railway Station for the train to Hualien, followed by transfer to Taroko National Park by bus. Taroko Gorge is an exceptionally beautiful, narrow ravine created by a river which has cut deep into mountains of solid marble. A road carved into sheer walls of rock snakes its way past forested peaks and cliffs towering thousands of feet above it, while hundreds of feet below the river roars between gigantic marble boulders.
Stops will be made at Evergreen Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Nine Turns of Tunnel, Marble Bridge, Tienshiang and a marble factory.
Then, proceed to Hualien Railway Station for the train ride back to Taipei.
Overnight in Taipei Day 10
Taipei - Beijing / Shanghai (B) Time at leisure until check-out and transfer to the airport for the departure flight.
Hotel Information:
Gala Hotel 3*
Gala Hotel's distinctive address in midtown Taipei is in the heart of Taipei's most prestigious shopping, cultural, and business neighborhood. The hotel remains a state-of-the-art facility through innovation. Rooms are decorated in a classic, contemporary style with art nouveau accents.At Gala Hotel, we constantly strive to give guests quality service and do everything to make your stay enjoyable.
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