Arrive in Taipei, Taiwan’s vibrant capital city, where ancient temples sit side by side with buzzing night markets and towering skyscrapers. Upon arrival, you will be met by driver and transfer approximately 1 hour to your hotel. In the evening, meet your guide and enjoy an informal welcome dinner at the hotel around 6pm. Early check-in is not included. Additional nights’ before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.

Begin the day with a visit to the National Palace Museum, home to thousands of artefacts from across Chinese history, including many from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Continue to the 18th-century Longshan Temple before visiting the grand Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Later, take the high-speed elevator to the 89th floor of Taipei 101 and enjoy panoramic views over the city. This evening, visit one of Taipei’s iconic night markets and sample a variety of local street food. You will be on your feet sightseeing for several hours today. Please note – there is minimal seating during the evenings walking street food/market tour.

Travel by coach to Ruifang station to experience the scenic Pingxi Line, a historic railway once used for coal transport. Board the train and travel around 30-minutes to the town of Shifen, passing through mountain cliffs, streams, waterfalls, and old mining towns. Wander through the Shifen Old Street, where you’ll see the tradition of sky lanterns being released for good luck, and take a leisurely walk around 20 minutes to Shifen Waterfall (sometimes called the “Little Niagara of Taiwan”). The path is well-maintained and there are benches en route. Walk back to town and board the train another 10 minutes to the town of Pingxi. Enjoy time to explore the town and admire the old architecture. Later, the coach will take you to the last stop for the day in nearby Jiufen, a picturesque hillside town known for its lantern-lit lanes, teahouses and ocean views, then return to Taipei. Please note – the Pingxi Line is operating as local commuter train. There is no reserved seating, therefore you may not be able to sit immediately on boarding the train.

This morning, travel by road to the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, a designated National Scenic Area. Visit the nearby township named Puli to visit a famous Tea farm plantation and taste a cup of the delicious tea yourself. Continue to the lakeside Wen Wu Temple, known for its grand architecture and scenic views. Later, take a shared motorboat cruise around the lake and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Depart Sun Moon Lake and travel to Bantaoyao Craft Park, once a working pottery factory and now a creative hub for local artisans. Try your hand at mosaic making as you learn traditional methods and decorate your own tile to take home. Continue to Yuyupas Cultural Park, set in the Alishan mountains, to gain insight into the heritage of the Tsou Tribe. Learn about the tea leaves and coffee beans grown here and try a cup for yourself. Check into your hotel in Alishan for the next 2-nights and prepare for an early morning start. Please note – Alishan National Forest Recreation is a high-altitude, forested area within a national park, where conservation and environmental protection are top priorities. Development is tightly regulated to preserve the natural landscape and the accommodation is relatively basic. You’ll be staying in a clean and comfortable 3-star hotel, but facilities are simple and reflect the remote mountain setting. Hot water may not be available at all times.

Rise early this morning for a ride on the Alishan Forest Train to the Zhushan Sunrise Platform, where, weather permitting, you’ll witness magnificent dawn views across the clouds and mountain peaks. Afterwards, spend the morning exploring the Alishan Forest Recreation Area, a tranquil landscape of towering cypress trees and misty trails. Stop to see some of the area’s natural highlights, including the Sister Ponds, Brother Tree and the towering Three Generation Tree. Sightseeing today will be around 2-3 hours on foot. Please note – the itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions and train schedules. Travel within the park will be a combination of shuttle and forest train. Alishan’s cherry blossom season is typically in mid-March to mid-April, but exact timings may vary each year depending on weather conditions. While departures are scheduled to align with the expected bloom, cherry blossom viewing cannot be guaranteed. Sightseeing in the area may be adjusted to make the most of the seasonal scenery.

This morning, visit the mountain village of Fenqihu, known for its nostalgic charm and narrow lanes lined with traditional shops. Enjoy a classic old-style bento box for lunch before transferring to Chiayi station to board the high-speed train back to Taipei, reaching speeds of up to 300km/h. On arrival, check in to your hotel in Taipei for your final night then head out for a farewell dinner. Luggage notice – Your luggage will be transferred to Taipei by coach. As the train journey is faster than driving, your luggage will arrive a couple of hours after you. Please ensure all valuables are carried with you. You may wish to bring a change of clothes for the farewell dinner.

Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be transferred from your hotel to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, per the departure time of your international flight. Late checkout is not included. Additional nights’ before and after your tour can be arranged. Please contact our Reservations team to book.