Discover the rugged natural beauty and rich cultural history of the island nation of Taiwan, as you venture from the Qing Dynasty-era temples of Taipei to the lush forests, narrow gorges and alpine peaks of Taroko National Park, learn the intricacies of harvesting tea and meet an expert who explains Taiwan’s pivotal place in world politics.
Journey Highlights
Arrive in Taipei, where you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Explore the city, starting at the National Palace Museum, viewing artifacts that span eight centuries. Visit the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, and then stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to the Longshan Temple, dedicated to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, and enter the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial before a guided walk of Dihua Street, with its tea and tailor shops. This evening at your hotel, attend a welcome dinner highlighted by a talk on regional geopolitics by a local professor.
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei | Meals: BLD
Journey to Yilan County on Taiwan’s scenic northeast coast. Enjoy a hands-on lesson in the art of making Yilan’s famous scallion cakes, a delicious national tradition. Cap off your Chef ’s Table experience with a tour of the local Kavalan whiskey distillery and taste a dram or two. Continue to Taroko National Park, taking in coastal landscapes of rugged beauty en route. On arrival, check in to your hotel, where you dine tonight.
Silks Place Taroko | Meals: BLD
Explore Taroko National Park, home to the soaring, marble walled Taroko Gorge, where you drive and walk amid magnificent vistas that evoke the images found in Chinese scroll work. Enjoy lunch before continuing to Swallow Grotto and the Tunnel of Nine Turns. Hike to elegant shrines and glittering waterfalls, experiencing an almost ethereal ambience.
Silks Place Taroko | Meals: BL
Set out early for Sun Moon Lake, crossing the island’s towering central mountain range. Ascend through cloud and pine forests to Hehuanshan, savouring breathtaking alpine views. Continue to Sun Moon Lake, set in a lush valley. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a Scenic Sundowner, basking in the surrounding grandeur.
The Lalu | Meals: BLD
Explore the Sun Moon Lake area, ancestral home of the indigenous Thao people. Visit Wenwu Temple, and then ride a cable car up to an observation tower to marvel at the scenic panoramas. Next, view this beautiful setting by private boat. Back on shore, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Ita Thao Cultural Village and gain insight into Thao cultural traditions. Proceed to a tea plantation for lessons in planting tea, picking leaves and processing them, and sip a freshly made cup of this organic treasure.
The Lalu | Meals: BL
After a relaxing morning, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Set out for Tainan, a historic city established by the Dutch East India Company as a lucrative hub for trade. Noted for its many temples, Tainan also offers a diverse culinary culture complete with bustling food markets. Tonight, discover this thriving scene on a guided tour of the city’s vibrant night market.
Shangri-la Far Eastern, Tainan | Meals: BL
Today, begin at the Anping Fort, a site central to historic events from the Qing Dynasty to World War II. Walk nearby streets, viewing time-worn stalls and shops, and admiring the architecture. Visit exquisitely preserved Shennong Street, before time at your leisure for lunch. Tonight, dine at your hotel.
Shangri-la Far Eastern, Tainan | Meals: BD
Board a bullet train and Ride Like a Local to Taipei, arriving in time for lunch. Explore the dazzling Taipei 101, the world’s tallest “green structure.” Also visit Huashan 1914 Creative Park, once a sake winery and today a dynamic cultural venue. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner.
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei | Meals: BLD
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
Meals: B
Minimum age is 10 years.
First group event: welcome briefing at 8:00 a.m. on Day 2.
Last group event: farewell dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Day 9.
Departures are guaranteed to operate with a minimum of 2 guests.
Please note: Proof of COVID-19 full vaccination is required for this program.
Talk to one of our expert Journey Designers or your travel agent about booking this tour as a private journey for your own small group with family or friends. Or, if you would prefer to travel privately, find out more about creating the perfect bespoke tailor-made journey based on this itinerary.
This journey features the following Preferred Accommodations:
Mandarin Oriental Taipei, located on tree-lined Dunhua North Road in the heart of the city, offers a five-star urban retreat. Built in a ... Read more
Located within the Taroko National Park, Silks Place offers the perfect base to explore the surrounding natural landscapes. Designed in t... Read more
The Lalu offers a luxury lodge haven for your next secluded escape. Perched on a hill along Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan's most scenic lo... Read more
Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
| Mar 3, 2023 - Mar 12, 2023 |
|---|
| Price AU$16,330pp | Single Supplement AU$4,780 | Internal Air (From) AU$0 | Availability Call for Availability | Enquire |
| Oct 20, 2023 - Oct 29, 2023 |
|---|
| Price AU$16,330pp | Single Supplement AU$4,780 | Internal Air (From) AU$0 | Availability Call for Availability | Enquire |
