Customized 10 Days Best Taiwan Round Island Tour from Taipei

Day 1 · Arrival in Taipei, Airport Pick-up

1. 1

   Taipei

   one hour

   Welcome to book this 10-day Taiwan best tour! Our driver guide will meet you at the Taoyuan International Airport, holding a signboard with your name on it, and then escort you to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for your private arrangements.

Taipei Garden Hotel (5 stars) or similar

Day 2 · Taipei Highlights: Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, Confucius Temple, Bao-an Temple

1. 1

   Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

   1 h 30 min

   Accompanied by your guide, spend today exploring the main highlights of Taipei, beginning with the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Built to honor the former president, this stunning blue-and-white structure features an octagonal dome made of glazed tiles. You’ll have a chance to witness the changing of the guard ceremony every hour, which lasts about 15 minutes, and be in awe of the soldiers’ synchronized movements and impressive gun display even without any impassioned background music.

2. 2

   Taipei 101

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Next, head to Taipei 101, which is Taiwan’s tallest building, soaring to 508 meters (1,667 feet). You’ll ascend from the 5th floor to the 89th floor within 37 seconds in the elevator at a speed of 1,010 meters (3,314 feet) per minute. While riding, the elevator will go dark and its starry ceiling lights will light up, making you feel like embarking on a journey into space. Once you arrive, try to capture panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis below! Then head downstairs to admire the massive golden wind damper ball weighing 600 tons on the 88th floor and learn about its crucial role in stabilizing the building during earthquakes and typhoons.

3. 3

   Taipei Confucius Temple

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Taipei’s religious traditions are equally intriguing. The guide will then lead you to the Confucius Temple, which is dedicated to Confucius and the Twelve Philosophers, all of whom are disciples of the sage. It should be noticed that, unlike other traditional Chinese temples, the Confucius Temple has no poems or couplets engraved on any pillars or doors, as no one dares to show off their knowledge in front of this most esteemed teacher in China. You can also dive deep into his life through an engaging 4D VR film.

4. 4

   Bao'an Temple

   1 h 30 min

   Conclude our visit to the Bao-an Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Taiwan, which enshrines Poh Seng Tai Tay, a miraculous doctor who saved lives in ancient times and is revered as the God of Medicine. Highlights are the statues crafted from Taiwan’s traditional art form, Koji Pottery, generally used in the decoration of temple architecture, which features a brightly colored glaze style by low fire, combining sculpting, painting, and pasting clay in layers. After visit, you’ll be escorted back to the hotel.

Taipei Garden Hotel (5 stars) or similar

Day 3 · Taipei - Hsinchu - Beipu Old Street - Pounded Tea-making - Zhuo Ye Cottage - Taichung

1. 1

   Hsinchu

   one hour

   After breakfast, we will drive for 1 hour to Hsinchu, the oldest city in northern Taiwan, home to a significant population of Hakka people, an important branch of Han people with their unique dialect.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   2 hours Admission included

   Today’s sightseeing starts from Beipu Old Street, which extends just 200 meters (656 feet) but is packed with seven historical sites, making it the highest concentration of historical landmarks in Taiwan. ★ Hakka Pounded Tea DIY Experience: Then you’ll enjoy a chance taking part in a class about Hakka pounded tea and make your version!

3. 3

   Stop 3

   2 hours Admission included

   Next, proceed to the Zhuo Ye Cottage nestled in the mountainside, where thatched roofs, bamboo fences, and rooms transformed from old barns offer a glimpse of authentic Taiwanese rural life. In addition, you could dive into the intangible cultural heritage craft of indigo dyeing and personalize your own creations from preparing materials, steaming and boiling fabrics, dyeing, and washing to hang drying, with the help of a local master.

4. 4

   Taichung

   one hour

   After this enjoyable experience, we will travel 1 hour to Taichung and check into a local hotel.

La Vida Hotel Taichung (4 stars) or similar

Day 4 · Taichung - Lukang Old Street - Sun Moon Lake Cruise

1. 1

   Lukang

   2 hours

   In the morning, we will depart for Lukang, an ancient cultural small town 1 hour drive away, which has earned the nickname “Taiwan’s City of Temples”. Upon arrival, you’ll be accompanied to explore some of the highlights. After that, we will stroll down Lukang Old Street, whose winding alleys beckon you with unique artistic works and tasty cuisines. Spend some time admiring Heqi Villa’s Minnan-style architecture or visiting Osmanthus Alley Art Village to see local artisans skillfully create delicate dough figurines or interesting lion head crafts.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   3 hours

   Then we will drive to the mountains to see the fabulous Sun Moon Lake, one of the Eight Views of Taiwan. Lalu Island separates the lake, making the crescent moon-shaped south part the Moon Lake, while the round north part the Sun Lake. We will take a boat from the pier, enjoying the beautiful scenery around Sun Moon Lake, where verdant forests encompass the mountains and water birds flutter over the water surface. After disembarking, hike along the gentle Hanbi Trail for about 2 kilometers (1.24 mi) and appreciate the reflections of lush gardenias in the lake. Finally, we will escort you back to the hotel.

Sun Moon Lake Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Day 5 · Sun Moon Lake: Make Black Tea & Visit Chung Tai Chan Monastery; Transfer to Kaohsiung

1. 1

   Sun Moon Lake

   2 hours Admission included

   Kick-off today’s tour by immersing yourself in the black tea culture of Sun Moon Lake. The well-known Sun Moon Lake black tea boasts a brilliant crimson hue and sweet floral and fruity flavor, rivaling even the finest black teas from Sri Lanka. A tea master will guide you to savor various types of black tea and teach you how to make it yourself.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   After this sensory delight, let’s find serenity at the Chung Tai Chan Monastery, whose design blends with the styles of a traditional monastery and a Buddhist pagoda.

3. 3

   Kaohsiung

   2 h 30 min

   Then, we’ll take a 2.5-hour drive to Kaohsiung and check into a local hotel.

Just Sleep Kaohsiung Station (4 stars) or similar

Day 6 · Kaohsiung: Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Cijin Island, Pier-2 Art Center

1. 1

   Stop 1

   3 hours

   After breakfast, we’ll visit Taiwan’s largest Buddhist temple, the Fo Guang Shan Monastery. In its attached Buddha Museum, a towering 108-meter (354-foot) high Buddha statue stands as tall as a 36-story building. You can visit the exhibition of the Buddhist Maritime Silk Road and watch a 4D film to learn more about the Buddha’s life. Also, practicing calligraphy will elevate your serene experience at the spot.

2. 2

   Cijin Island

   2 hours Admission included

   Next, hop on a ferry to Cijin (Qijin) Island, and climb to the lighthouse to overlook Kaohsiung and the surrounding colorful houses.

3. 3

   The Pier-2 Art Centre

   2 hours Admission included

   Our next stop is the Pier-2 Art Center along the riverbank, which blends contemporary art, historical architecture, and creative spaces transformed from abandoned warehouses. After that, we will escort you back to the hotel.

Just Sleep Kaohsiung Station (4 stars) or similar

Day 7 · Taitung to Hualien: Visit Tropic of Cancer Landmark Park and Hualien Sugar Factory

1. 1

   Confucius Temple

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Today, we’ll drive for 1 hour to Tainan. The guide will first accompany you to the Confucius Temple, the oldest and most spectacular of its kind in Taiwan. Additionally, you can explore the Dacheng Hall with our all-inclusive tickets.

2. 2

   Eternal Golden Castle

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Then, make our way to the Eternal Golden Castle, a military stronghold from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) with remains of batteries, bastions, and armories.

3. 3

   Anping Fort (Anping gubao)

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Our next stop is Anping Fort, built by the Dutch in the 17th century. After historical exploration, let’s stroll down the Anping Old Street.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   1 h 30 min Admission included

   Next, we’ll visit the Chikan Tower, the most well-known attraction in Tainan, which features a tranquil garden, two temples, and a library. After visit, we’ll return to the hotel.

Silks Place Tainan (5 stars) or similar

Day 8 · Alishan National Scenic Area: Forest Train Ride and Sacred Forest Trail Hiking

1. 1

   Stop 1

   5 hours

   ★ Alishan Forest Train Adventure

   After breakfast, embark on a 3-hour scenic drive to Alishan National Scenic Area, a mountain resort that promises a highlight of this best Taiwan tour, known for its stunning sunrise and sunset, sea of clouds, railways, and forests. Upon arrival, hop on the branch line of the zigzag Alishan Forest Railway to take an adventure! Afterward, enjoy a forest shower by hiking trails to encounter extraordinary wonders like the No.12 Sacred Tree.

Alishan House Hotel (4 stars) or similar

Day 9 · Alishan to Taichung, Cycle along Houfeng Bikeway, Visit Gaomei Wetland, Head to Taoyuan

1. 1

   Stop 1

   one hour Admission included

   Hit the road to Taichung for about 3 hours, where natural wonders will lure you from lush virgin forests to serene wetlands. Upon arrival, get ready for a 4.5-kilometer (2.8-mi) cycling trip along the Houfeng Bikeway, taking about 1 hour each way. The bike rental is included in the price.

2. 2

   Gaomei Wetland

   2 hours

   ★ Experience One of the Must-See Sunsets of Your Life at Gaomei Wetland

   Next, continue our adventure to Gaomei Wetland, where muddy and sandy beaches create a flourishing ecosystem. You’ll be amazed by towering mangroves, swaying bulrushes, and birds resting on the shoreline. Under the gentle afterglow of the sunset, you’ll be escorted on a 1.5-hour drive to Taoyuan and check into the hotel.

Cozzi Blu Hotel Taoyuan (5 stars) or similar

Day 10 · Departure from Taoyuan, Airport See-off

1. 1

   Taoyuan

   one hour

   Your unforgettable Taiwan journey will come to a close today. According to your flight, we will whisk you away to Taoyuan International Airport. Have a nice trip home and look forward to your next journey with Agate Travel!