After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, embark on a guided day tour from Taipei to explore the unique charm of Taiwan's northern and northeastern coastal regions—all without traveling far from the city.

Your first stop is Jiufen Village, a picturesque hillside town that thrived in the 1940s. Wander through its narrow, atmospheric alleys, where you'll feel transported back in time. Next, visit the stunning Yehliu Geopark, famous for its unique rock formations shaped by coastal erosion, guaranteed to leave you in awe. 

We will also witness the beauty of Shifen Waterfall, often called Taiwan's "Little Niagara Falls."

Overnight in Taipei - Grand Hyatt or similar

On the first morning of your Taiwan round-island tour, you will depart from Taipei and travel to the heart of the island, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. 

Sun Moon Lake, the largest freshwater lake on the island, is divided by Lalu Island. The eastern side of the lake resembles the sun, while the western side resembles the crescent moon, giving the lake its unique name. 

This picturesque area is also the ancestral home of the Thao people, one of Taiwan's indigenous groups. With its rich indigenous culture and abundant natural beauty, Sun Moon Lake has earned its place as one of Taiwan's premier destinations.

After lunch, your journey continues with a scenic bus tour around Sun Moon Lake, where you'll explore the most renowned attractions in this area. Begin with a visit to Ita Thao, an indigenous village that offers insights into the culture and lifestyle of the Thao people.

Then, marvel at the grandeur of Ci'en Pagoda, an iconic Sun Moon Lake landmark constructed by the late President Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother. 

Following your visit to Ci'en Pagoda, your exploration of Sun Moon Lake continues with stops at two significant temples. First, you'll arrive at Xuanzang Temple, a serene Buddhist sanctuary dedicated to the esteemed monk Xuanzang. Then, your journey takes you to Wenwu Temple, an imposing Taoist temple featuring three halls devoted to the Martial God and the God of Literature. 

With the expert commentary of your tour guide, you'll gain deeper insights into Sun Moon Lake, enriching your appreciation of the area's history and significance 

Overnight at LaLu hotel or similar

Kick off the second day of your Taiwan round-island adventure with a delightful breakfast, setting the tone for another day of exploration. Hop on the bus and make your way to Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan, celebrated for its abundance of historic buildings and profound historical heritage. Your adventure proceeds with a visit to Fort Zeelandia, constructed by the Dutch East India Company during their 38-year administration of western Taiwan. The original fortress faced near destruction by the British army in the 19th century but was subsequently rebuilt by the Japanese. After exploring Fort Zeelandia, take a leisurely walk along Anping Old Street. Situated on the east side of Fort Zeelandia, this historic street was established by the Dutch over 300 years ago and holds the distinction of being the first officially named street in Taiwan. Besides its fascinating history, Anping Old Street is also known for its local specialties such as tofu pudding- note that, just like with most markets in Taiwan, you will also see shrimp rolls, fish skin dishes, beef soup etc. While you're here, don't miss the chance to savor the city's signature delicacies, adding a delightful culinary experience to your historical journey in Tainan. 

After that, your next destination is the romantic harbor city of Kaohsiung, the most populous city in Southern Taiwan. Upon arriving in Kaohsiung, your first stop National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) began with the aim of creating a world-level performing arts space, and two halls were established in the southern part. Not only is this the first national-level performing arts center in southern Taiwan, it is also the largest performing art and music center in East Asia. The building was designed by the Dutch architect Francine Houben, its long lines like flowing sound waves and also like stingray in the sea, inspire poetic thoughts. The British Consulate at Takao is a building in the British style which was constructed in 1879, and is situated beside Shaochuantou Wharf, with a mountain behind and the sea in front. It is the oldest extant modern Western building in Taiwan, and was also the first consulate the British government built in Taiwan. The consul's residence and consulate have been preserved in their entirety, as well as an old hiking trail which leads up the mountain. 

Here, where the sea and mountain meet, you can feast your eyes on Kaohsiung City, Cijin (Qijin) Fishing port and the fine scenery of Siziwan (The Sizih Bay) 

Overnight in Kaohsiung

The First stop is the renowned Fo Guang Shan Monastery, a significant Buddhist monastery founded by the Venerable Master Hsing Yun in 1967. The monastery is most famous for its Great Buddha Land, featuring a majestic 36-meter-tall golden statue of Buddha Amitabha, which stands as the tallest standing Buddha in Southeast Asia. It is encircled by an impressive array of 480 smaller statues depicting Buddha Amitabha.

Lukang was the economic and transport hub of central Taiwan in earlier times. The saying "first Tainan, second Lukang and third Mengjia (today Wanhua District in Taipei)," illustrates the high position of the town in its glory days. In addition to being the early cultural capital of Taiwan, Lukang was also a commercially prosperous area. During the Qing period, the town was an important trading port, bringing all types of products to the town and fueling Lukang's economic rise. Lukang was also unrivaled for its high cuisine and a diversity of local snack foods reflecting its broad immigrant mix. 

Then, we will drive back to Taipei for an overnight

Enjoy today on your own before your transfer to the airport - most flights to the US leave very late at night/right around midnight, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the city.

Breakfast included