Meticulous Taiwan

Ni Hao! Welcome to Taiwan, considered the jewel in the Asia Pacific rim.

On arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, you will be greeted by our airport representative and escorted in a private vehicle to the capital city – Taipei (80 km, 50 minutes). Along the way, glimpse city landmarks from a distance, such as the palace-like Grand Hotel and the Taipei 101 Tower – the tallest building in the world until early 2010.

Taiwan is also famous for its wide variety of cuisine. When Chinese statesman Chiang Kai Shek came to Taiwan in 1949, two million people followed him. Among them were students, soldiers, and chefs from different provinces of China, and as a result, there are many restaurants showcasing dishes from all over China. In addition, there are the flavours introduced by Taiwan’s Hakka community and 16 indigenous tribes, and this combination of tastes and trends has resulted in fabulous flavours and cuisines.

Today is a day at leisure. You may choose to stay in and around your hotel as you recover from the previous day’s international travel, or you may start exploring Taipei as you see fit.

Below is a suggested itinerary.

Visit the city highlights such as Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and view the changing of the guard, this memorial hall not only acts as the memorial hall for Taiwan’s late president Chiang Kai Shek, but also acts as the local people’s continued social venue.

Continue to the Dadaocheng nostalgia area in Taipei and visit the traditional market.

Onward to Taipei 101 Tower, the tallest building in the world till early 2010. If weather allows, take the world’s fastest elevator up to the 89th-floor Observatory Deck and enjoy a bird’s eye view of Taipei.

In the afternoon, visit one of the greatest museums in the world, the National Palace Museum and admire the Chinese imperial collections. Among the wide range of collections, there are jade and stones, pottery and porcelain, paintings, and calligraphy, curious and decoration…etc.

In the evening visit a local night market, where you can try out the local delicious street food.

Enjoy another day at leisure.

We recommend a day trip to the North Coast by your arrangement. Set off to the scenic Northern Coast, visit Yehliu Geo Park, and see rocks in interesting formations and the fossils beneath your feet.
Onward to Jiufen Village, a charming village that sits on the slope of an impressive mountain range and is famous for its gold mining history. In this area, it`s also interesting to walk on the crooked old streets. Continue to Shifen Waterfall and enjoy the sky lantern experience,
using Chinese brush pens to write your wishes on the sky lantern (2 pax sharing a huge lantern), set it into the sky and make a wish for your dreams come true. In the late afternoon or early evening return to your hotel in Taipei City.

Today we recommend a day trip to the Yangmingshan National Park on your own, where you will have a chance to visit Xiaoyukeng and see the steaming volcanic landscape. Proceed to Yangmingshan Flower Clock, a popular spot for photos that provide you a glimpse of the park’s floral diversity.

Continue to visit the Beitou Hot Springs Museum, providing insight into the history of the hot springs in Beitou and features interesting exhibits. In the afternoon visit Beitou Thermal Valley and experience public hot springs located in and around a park in the town of Xinbeitou, where you can soak in mineral-rich baths, enjoy relaxing in various pools, and take in the peaceful park surroundings. Return to Taipei late in the afternoon or early evening to enjoy the evening at leisure.

This morning after enjoying breakfast at your hotel check out from your hotel in Taipei, and below is a suggested itinerary for your consideration (not included in the package).

Our private driver will escort you to Taipei Songshan Airport and enjoy a morning flight to Kinmen Airport (economy class, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes).
*Suggested flight schedule (Mandarin Airways):

Flight departs from TSA (Taipei) Flight arrives in KNH (Kinmen)
08:50 AM 09:55 AM
09:30 AM 10:50 AM
10:20 AM 11:40 AM

When you arrive at Kinmen Airport, you will be met by a local English-speaking driver guide, who will help to get your rental van and explain the do’s and don’ts when self-driving in Kinmen. Please remember to bring along your international driving license and a credit card as a guarantee. Once you get your car, set up the GPS navigator, get the map ready, and off you will go and enjoy the attractions in Kinmen.

The first recommended site in Kinmen is the Kinmen Old Street, where you can wander through this historical street, exploring traditional shops and architecture. You can sample local snacks and interact with the friendly locals.

Continue driving to the Zhaishan Tunnel, a Cold War-era military tunnel to understand Kinmen’s strategic importance.

Proceed driving to Juguang Tower, built in 1953 it was erected to honour the KMT’s victories in the Guningtou and 823 Artillery battles, which repelled Communist invasions.

Later in the day, check-in at your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

If you have the energy and the weather allows, rise before the sun gets up and drive to Taiwu Mountain to enjoy the spectacular sunrise.

Later in the morning visit the 823 War History Museum, showcasing the history of the 823 Artillery Battle, offering exhibits on this key event from the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis.

Continue to the Shanhou Folk Culture Village to see well-preserved traditional houses and learn about Kinmen’s lifestyle before proceeding to Jinmen Chen Jinglan Western-style Mansion, a notable historical building located on Kinmen Island (Jinmen) in Taiwan.

Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel. Suggested itinerary for the day is to visit Kinmen Distillery where they make and preserve the nice sorghum liquor.
Continue to the historical Chen Family Mansion and appreciate the amazing architecture of the building.
Proceed to the historical Jin Shui Elementary School, Der Yueh Tower and Qing Dynasty Troop Headquarter.

Enjoy an early start to the day and early breakfast and consider the below itinerary.

Drive in your hire car to Kinmen Airport and return it upon arrival, then enjoy a morning flight from Kinmen Airport to Kaohsiung Airport (economy class, approximately 1 hour).
*Suggested flight schedule:

The flight departs from KNH (Kinmen) The flight arrives in KHH (Kaohsiung)
09:00 AM (Mandarin Airlines) 10:00 AM
09:30 AM (UNI Airways) 10:30 AM

After landing in Kaohsiung, you can drop your luggage at the hotel, and then visit Pier 2 Creative Park, a vibrant arts and cultural district, which has transformed old warehouses into galleries, studios, and performance spaces. It’s a great place to experience local art and creativity.
Continue to the British Consulate at Takao, this is an impressive building in the British architectural style, which was constructed in 1879, and is situated beside Shaochuantou Wharf.

In the early evening visit the Liuhe Night Market, where you can explore local Taiwanese cuisine.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

This morning visit Foguangshan Buddha Museum and Foguangshan Memorial Hall, the largest and most renowned Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. Your family can learn about the cultural significance through visiting Foguangshan, and its stunning architecture is very suitable for taking family photos. Continue to Dragon and Tiger Pagoda, Spring and Autumn Pavilion which stands on the scenic Lotus Lake. The pagodas are famous for their unique structure where visitors enter through the dragon’s mouth and exit through the tiger’s mouth, symbolizing transformation, and good fortune according to Chinese tradition.
Enjoy the ferry from Kaohsiung to Cijin Island and enjoy the amazing seafood and the ocean-atmosphere.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

Today visit the most southern point of Taiwan, the famous beach resort of Kenting. Whilst here visit Kenting Forest Recreation area (need to walk a lot but it’s baby stroller friendly. Eluanpi Lighthouse and NanBay (South Bay).

In the midafternoon check into the hotel and relax as the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

Enjoy the start of the day with a visit to the Anping area and visit Fort Zeelandia which was built by the Dutch East India Company back in 1624. Continue to the Anping Tree House, and stroll among the lanes to see how many “sword lions” you can find.

Visit Chihkan Tower, a historic landmark showcasing Dutch and Chinese architectural styles, remaining a popular historical site in Tainan. Proceed to Tainan Confucius Temple, by the name “temple” it was the first public school in Taiwan.

Check-in your hotel by 3.00 PM and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Tainan is famous for its wide variety of local cuisine and street food, so why not give it a try?

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

This morning visit Tainan Judicial Museum, featuring a complex and magnificent Baroque dome with eight sides and a small tower on top, adorned with lively dormer windows.
Continue to visit Ten Drum Culture Village, a century-old sugar factory that has been revitalized into Asia’s first drumming-themed international art village, featuring performances by the Ten Drum Band and offering drumming workshops for visitors.
You may also desire to visit Chimei Museum where amazing collections of musical instruments and animal specimen is housed.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

The first visit of the day is to the tea plantation and view the sea of clouds (if the weather is allowed), and visit Alishan National Forest Park (Sister Pond, Zhao Ping Station and enjoy a forestry train ride, which was used to deliver the woods in the earlier days and walk the Giant Wood trail). You’ll enjoy the greenery around you and bathe yourself in the forest phytoncide.

In the late afternoon check into the hotel and enjoy the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

If the weather permits, wake up early (around 5:00 AM) and take the Zhushan Line Train to witness the famous sunrise. After enjoying the beautiful sunrise, take a leisurely walk around the area and return to the hotel for breakfast.
Later in the morning explore Fengchihu Old Street, a historic street in Alishan. Here, you can find different local products, and there is a famous dish that you can try in Fenqihu: Fenqihu bamboo shoot rice. Its savoury flavours and use of fresh bamboo shoots are often enjoyed by tourists and also the locals alike.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

Enjoy a relaxing cycling ride around the Sun Moon Lake cycling trail, this trail has been ranked by CNN Go as one of the most beautiful cycling routes in the world, and from personal experience we can verify it is an easy ride.
The first stop on the bike route is Longfeng Temple known, as the Dragon Phoenix. The temple sits on the northwest shore of Sun Moon Lake and is especially popular with young couples because they visit the temple to get blessings for love and marriage.
Continue to Xiang Shan (Mt. Xiang) Tourist Centre, featuring a unique wood-patterned design with arms-like wings and two towering canopies, offers both administrative functions and stunning panoramic views of Sun Moon Lake.
Proceed to Wen Wu Temple, a large temple complex devoted to the God of Literature, the God of War and Confucius.

In the afternoon check in the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

Commence the day touring with a shared boat cruise from Shuishe Pier to Xuanguang Pier and enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake.
When you arrive at the pier, visit the Xuanguang Temple, where you can see Buddhist relics from Xuanzang Temple, the next destination on the itinerary. Then follow the signs for Mt Qinglong Trail and hike up the paved trail, again an easy hike.
After visiting Xuanzang Temple, return to the Zhongzheng Road (main road) and walk towards the Cien Pagoda. The 700-metre trail starts from the parking lot and zigzags up the mountain.
Walk back down to Xuanguang Pier and wait for the next ferry boat to Ita Thao Pier. When you arrive at Ita Thao Pier, there is a visitor centre in the shape of a boat, and a pedestrian promenade leading to Ita Thao Village for you to explore. At your choice return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then check out from your hotel at Sun Moon Lake and continue your journey to Taichung. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

On the way to Taichung, you can visit Lukang Old Street, enchanting visitors with its well-preserved traditional Taiwanese houses, red brick walls, carved doorways, and vibrant local businesses.

Visit Rainbow Village – a vibrant, mural-covered former military village turned popular tourist spot thanks to a resident’s efforts to save it from demolition.
At night, you can visit Fengjia Night Market, the largest night market in Taichung where you can enjoy different local food and do some shopping.
In the afternoon check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

This morning enjoy a visit to Wufeng Lin Family Garden, one of Taiwan’s heritage buildings owned by a renaissance family.
Continue to the National Taichung Theatre and view the majestic architecture where most of Taiwan’s performances are held.
Proceed to Miyahara Eye Clinic, a well-known restored building previously used by an ophthalmologist during the Japanese colonial period. Nowadays, it is famous for its uniquely flavoured ice-creams and beautifully packed pastries.
Continue to Taipei, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

This morning enjoy a visit to the Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area (Mt. Taiping), which overlooks Yilan at a great height of 2,000m. Enjoy the unique mountain railway, Bong Bong Train, and walk the scenic route inside the cypress forest.
If time is available and weather allows (since it is easy to get foggy in the mountain area), visit Cueifong Lake, a high mountain lake with the first silent trail in the world.

Return to your hotel in Taipei in the late afternoon and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

This morning we recommend a visit to Danshui Old Street, here you can wander through the bustling street market, where you can sample local snacks like A-gei (fried tofu stuffed with noodles), Iron Egg and Fish Balls.
Proceed to Fort San Domingo, built by the Spanish in the 17th century and later occupied by the Dutch and British. It offers historical insights and panoramic views of the Danshui River and the surrounding area.
Continue to Fisherman’s Wharf and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, take in the views, and visit The Lover’s Bridge, a popular spot for photos and scenic views.
In the afternoon return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Below is a suggested itinerary (not included in the package).

On your last full day in Taipei, we recommend a visit to the Taipei Zoo and enjoy the many different types of animals in this beautiful zoo. Continue to the Maokong Gondola Station and once
you arrive at Maokong, you’ll find a variety of tea houses and shops, and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the area.

Enjoy the last few hours in Taipei at your leisure, then make your own way to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport for your onward flight.