Day 01: Arrive Taipei

"Nĭn hăo" is the welcoming greeting that will echo through the halls of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) as you arrive. Look out for the distinctive Bestway Welcome sign, where your guide will be waiting to welcome you. As we drive to our hotel, will get an orientation into the bustling metropolis that is home to over 2.6 million people. Balance of the day is yours to enjoy. The town is known for its traditional Taiwanese spa and massage for a rejuvenating experience. The perfect start to an exciting adventure awaiting you!

Overnight: Taipei Cozzi Hotel, Taipei (3 nights)

Day 02: Taipei

Taipei, Taiwan's lively capital, boasts a modern metropolis with Japanese colonial lanes, bustling shopping streets, and the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper standing at 509 meters. Renowned for its vibrant street-food scene and night markets, Taipei is a hub for exploration. We embark on a journey starting with Jiufen Old Street's seaside charm and iconic red lanterns. Proceed to Shifen Water Falls, experiencing the enchanting Shifen Sky Lanterns and savoring Taiwanese snacks. Explore YehLiu Geo Park's geological wonders, including the Queen's Head and Fairy's Shoe.

Our guided exploration will take us past the Presidential Office and into the serene 25-hectare gardens of Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. Immerse yourself in history at the National Palace Museum, home to nearly 700,000 ancient Chinese imperial artifacts. Capture a moment digitally at The Grand Hotel, a towering Chinese classical building. Visit the dragon-adorned Xingtian Temple and experience the vibrant Night Market as Taipei invites you to discover its cultural, historical, and culinary treasures. Enjoy meeting local folks as we stroll through the night market. (B, Sn)

Day 03: Taipei

Embark a captivating exploration of Taipei as a walking tour of Dihua Street, unveiling its rich history in well-preserved century-old buildings reflecting a blend of European, Japanese, and Chinese influences. Trace the legacy of European exploration, initiated by the Portuguese in the 16th Century followed by the Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945. Extend your Taipei experience with a visit to the Mankong Gondola, providing breathtaking views of tea plantations. Enjoy a panoramic view of Taipei at the iconic TAIPEI 101, once the world's tallest building, surpassing the Petronas Towers by 57.3 meters (188 feet). This record was later beaten by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 829.8 meters (2,722 feet). Savor the evening's free time with an optional visit to the wharf, relishing sunset views and indulging in Taipei's renowned cuisines. Immerse yourself in the city's captivating blend of history, modernity, and culinary delights. (B)

Day 04: Taipei/Sun Moon Lake (Drive 235 Kms/145 Miles)

Following breakfast, we drive to the captivating Sun Moon Lake located in the centre of Taiwan. The southern part of Lalu Island is shaped like a new moon and the northern is shaped like a sun; hence the name Sun Moon Lake. The most well-known sites around Sun Moon Lake are Ita Thao, Lalu Island, Xuanzang Temple, the Ci-en Pagoda, and Wenwu Temple. The natural forests bordering these roads are popular places for bird watching. There are a lot of birds that live on the mid-elevation and these include the Grey-cheeked Fulvetta, Grap-throated Minivet, Formosan Yuhina, Gray Tree Pie, Bamboo Partridge, Chinese Bulbul, Muller's Barbet and the Black Bulbul. Have your binoculars on you.

Overnight: Sun Moon Lake Lea Garden Hotel (1 night) (B)

Day 05: Sun Moon Lake/Alishan (Drive 145 Kms/90 miles)

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, with its forest railways, sacred trees, sea of clouds, sunrise, and cherry blossoms, is the most famous and popular forest recreational area in Taiwan. It is a brilliant jadeite shinning on the Alishan Mountain Range. The Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Alishan Township, Chiayi, covering an area of 1,400 hectares with the main tourism spot locating at about 2,200 meters high above sea level. It is cloudy mid-elevation temperate climate with an average annual temperature 10.6 ℃ and is a popular mountain hiking area. We visit this green park and have time to relax and enjoy the park on our own before driving to the town of Alishan.

Overnight: Chai Yi City Orient Luxury Hotel, Alishan (1 night) (B)

Day 06: Alishan/ChangHua County/Taichung/Taipei (Drive)

After breakfast we visit Hinoki the city section that has lots of remanence of the Japanese era in Taiwan. The 50 years Japanese rule of Taiwan had 3 distinct periods: Military suppression (1895–1915). This was followed by the Assimilation (1915–37), and then the Japanization phase which ended with the defeat of the Japanese in World War II. Hinoki Village is a cultural and creative park located in Chiayi City, Taiwan. Spread across an area that used to be a part of a cluster of Japanese-style dormitories for forestry workers during the Japanese colonial era, the village consists of 28 wooden houses made from Hinoki cypress, which was a major export of Taiwan during that time.

We explore the ChangHua Lukang old Street which is made up of curved, red-tiled lanes with both sides of the street lined with newly renovated old-style shop buildings that feature interesting internal room layouts with old-style exteriors. Here you can feel some of the atmosphere of old Lukang. Next is a contrast as we visit the 19th century house of Taiwan’s wealthiest families revealing to us how they lived and entertained guests. We will have some free time here before we visit the Taichung Gao Mei Wet Land. Spanning 1,500 acres, this stunning mud tidal flat was established in 2005. It offers a serene escape into nature with its mix of sand and soil textures. Known for its breathtaking sunsets, diverse wildlife, and scenic boardwalk, the Gaomei Wetlands is a very popular outing place for local families.  Afternoon, we venture to the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, showcasing nine unique exhibitions celebrating the region's pride in wood carving. Get creative at the Sanyi Duck Factory, painting your own duck, and explore Sanyi Township for woodcarving souvenirs. Make a pilgrimage to the Mazu Temple, a revered religious site in Taiwan. For cycling enthusiasts, an optional activity awaits, adding an extra layer of adventure to your exploration.

Overnight: Taipei Cozzi Hotel, Taipei (1 night) (B)

Day 07: Depart Taipei

After an interesting visit of Taiwan, we are transferred to the airport. A good opportunity to combine Taiwan visit with destinations like Japan and/or to the Malaysian island of Borneo, a fascinating jungle home of the orangutans and Asian elephant. (B)

B=Breakfast, Sn=Snack, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

We accept payments in US$, CA$ as well as in other convertible currencies like EUR, AUD and GBP. Tour prices have been costed in US$. CA$ price shown below is an indicative amount reached at by using the conversion rate at the time of web posting and will be applicable if there is no change in the conversion rate. Should the currency conversion rate change, the US$ pricing will prevail. Bestway Tours & Safaris offers a conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please click here

Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 12 participants.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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