Taiwan Travel: 10 Days of Tantalising Flavours

Itinerary

Day 1: Taipei Arrival

When you arrive in Taipei, you will be greeted by your guide at the arrivals hall. Your private vehicle will be ready to take you to your hotel. The journey from Taipei Taoyuan International Airport to downtown Taipei usually takes approximately one hour, depending on traffic.

Dinner Recommendation for your Taiwan holiday: RAW (2-Michelin Star Restaurant).

Day 2: A Day full of wonderful culinary delights

Step inside a typical Taiwanese breakfast shop to start your holiday in Taiwan. The aroma of freshly-made soy milk (dou jiang) will fill the air, with varying levels of sweetness and smokiness depending on the shop. The main attractions are a range of options such as crispy fried dough sticks (you tiao), oven-baked sesame flatbread (shao bing), fluffy egg and scallion pancakes (dan bing), savoury turnip cakes (luobuo gao), and the renowned soup dumplings (xiaolongbao). Join the locals and savour your preferred choices for a wholesome and satisfying traditional Taiwanese breakfast experience.

Visit the National Palace Museum. The National Palace Museum boasts a vast collection of 700,000 ancient Chinese artifacts spanning across centuries, making it one of the most extensive in the world. Embrace Din Tai Fung – a must-eat global dumpling sensation. Visit Taipei 101 – the world’s tallest building from 2004 – 2010. You will also visit Dadaocheng – the most historic area in all of Taipei. Here, age-worn shop fronts selling all manner of goods, produce, spices and medicines await. You will also experience a Dadaocheng Family Run Tea Factory. Here you can learn about and sample some spectacular tea. Finally, embrace culture with a visit to the bustling Ningxia Night Market.

Day 3: Explore Taipei further and delight in a Taiwanese Cooking Class.

Meet your guide at 9.00am. Today during your Taiwan travel, explore Yongkang Street, discover the iconic Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (on the hour, you can observe the changing of the guards), Longshan Temple, and Herb Alley. Your visits to Yongkang Street and Herb Alley will offer you a glimpse into tradition and culture. Yongkang Street offers an array of culinary delights, from trendy coffee shops to towers of shaved ice (a Taiwanese speciality dessert), allowing you to enjoy the culture while savouring traditional culinary delights. Herb Alley offers a fragrant burst for the senses. For over 100-years Herb Alley has been serving concoctions to patrons, offering you a spectacular glimpse into the world of natural remedies. You will also visit Bopiliao Historic Street, where you would be forgiven for thinking that you have stepped back in time.

Today also includes an unforgettable Taiwanese Cooking Class. Select the most delicious and fresh ingredients at a local market, before visiting a local kitchen with an expert chef. Here you will discover a selection of Taiwanese dishes, each requiring various skills. For lunch, enjoy the delicious, finished products, while also learning about the local cuisine from your guide and chef. Today you will also be able to select from the plethora of colourful shops selling Taiwanese bubble tea and savour this famous drink in its homeland.

Day 4: From Taipei to charming Alishan

Meet your guide at 9.00am who will transfer you to the train station for a high-speed train ride to Yunlin (1.5 hours). You will then be transferred to a car where you will be driven to Alishan (2 hours) for your further Taiwan travel adventures. Today also includes visits to Xiluo Old Street. Here you can wander around and admire the Japanese-era and mid-century Chinese colonial buildings, before selecting your alluring lunch from the local snack stalls to Omakasi sit-downs.

You will also visit the Alishan National Scenic Area, which provides you with an enchanting range of forested 2,000-meter peaks ensconced in the island’s mountainous heart. Here you will also find the Alishan High-Altitude Coffee Plantation, and take a unique Wood-Fired Black Bean Soy Sauce experience. Learn from the third-generation owner of Yudingxing soy sauce each step required to craft the finest all-natural soy sauce and explore the high-altitude coffee plantation of Zou Zhuyuan. Here you can journey from bean (plantation) to cup (factory) detailing each step when creating the finest coffee. Finish with a unique tasting of six different types of coffee. You will return to your hotel around 6.00pm.

Day 5: Experience the Alishan Forest Railway for Sunrise

Today on your Taiwan holiday, meet your guide at 10:00am. Visit the Alishan Forest Railway for Sunrise. Here you can step aboard the traditional locomotive for a serene and scenic journey. Today you will also take part in some hiking in the Alishan National Scenic Area. Previously, the forest trails were only inhabited by the Tsou, an indigenous group in Taiwan, and later controlled by Japanese loggers. However, nowadays these paths are clearly marked and kept in good condition, providing a one-of-a-kind experience in any season.

The central range of this island boasts breath-taking sunsets and sunrises that are unparalleled. Every morning and evening, the mountains put on a magnificent solar display that is not to be missed. As the sun sets, make your way to a prime viewing location to witness the spectacular performance, as the distinct climate of the area guarantees a one-of-a-kind dance between the sun and clouds each time. After a full day of exploring, your guide will bring you back to your hotel around 7:00 pm.

Day 6: From Alishan to Tainan

Meet your guide at 9.00am for the drive from Alishan to Tainan (around 2.5 hours) to further your Taiwan travel.

Bursting with temples and relics of a tumultuous past, the coastal city of Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan. Here you will locate Guohua Old Street – Taiwan’s foodie capital! Here you will discover quaint food carts lining the streets offering enticing aromas. Be sure to try a bit of everything here as you will not be disappointed. We particularly recommend, the Tainan specialties of shrimp rolls (xia juan) and salty rice pudding (wan guo).

Today during your holiday in Taiwan, you will also visit the Alishan tea plantation and an Alishan tea farm. Learn the art of tea making at the Tea Plantation. Here you will learn how to select the best tea leaves, how to pluck and dry them, and experience the delectable, finished product. You will also embrace the local tantalising cuisine at the Alishan Tea Farm. Here you can appreciate some tea-infused cuisine on site, such as black-tea pork knuckle or shrimp. Or you can wander over to Miemie for a serving of indigenous flavours with a picturesque view looking out over the canopy beyond.

You will also visit Chihkan Tower – a monument to the island’s history. Here, you will also discover a library full of fascinating Siraya documents, an indigenous language that is now extinct. Finally, discover the Blueprint Cultural and Creative Park, where you can admire the creative graffiti displays of the local artisans, among funky shops. Later return to your hotel at around 6.00pm.

Day 7: Learn the art of salt making

Meet your guide at 9.00am. You will then explore the Tainan Confucian Temple – the first Confucian temple in the whole of Taiwan. Here you will discover the traditional student study halls surrounded by the striking pillars of Confucianism. You will also unearth the Dacheng Hall, which showcases a unique pagoda architectural design.

You will also visit the vibrant Shuei Sian Temple Market, the Hayashi Department Store, and unearth the Jingzaijiao Salt Fields. Here you will learn about the interesting production of salt, while (depending on timing) admiring the beautiful reflections created by the salt squares in the tranquil sunrise and sunset. For a further burst of culture, you will explore the Shuei Sian Temple Market, where you can admire the vibrant local life and try a bit of anything and everything!

Today you can embrace a unique and tantalising dish of Milkfish. This dish is a source of city-wide pride in Tainan, with fishmongers rising before dawn to collect the overnight catch and sample this for the finest experience. You will be able to savour the most popular milkfish dish of milkfish congee today!

Day 8: From Tainan to Kaohsiung

Meet your guide at 9.00am and transfer to Kaohsiung (this will take around 1 hour). Here you will discover the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Centre. This monastery is the biggest religious site across Taiwan, promising a striking experience. Take your time to discover one of the country’s central spiritual forces and stroll through the serenity of the complex’s vast gardens. Carry on the spiritual immersion of your morning with an enticing selection of dishes at the popular Hi-Lai Vegetarian Restaurant. Here you can embrace delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes

You will also explore the best of Taiwan’s unique culture at the Pineapple Farm. Here you can combine local knowledge with traditional culture and cuisine to create a truly unique and memorable experience.

Today, during your Taiwan holiday you will also visit Kaohsiung, which offers a vast array of exuberant night markets, artistic light displays, and consistently kind weather. Kaohsiung remains embellished with the beauty of retro architecture and creations. Here you can learn more about the history of the Taiwanese pineapples that can be traced back to the early 1900s!

Day 9: Discovering charming Kaohsiung

Meet your guide at 9.00am to explore the Pingtung Organic Cocoa Farm. Here you can experience the process of cocoa from seed-to-bar first-hand, ending with a unique DIY chocolate bar creation finale to treat your tastebuds!

Today you will also discover Neipu Old Street. This street offers a pure glimpse into rural country living, where you can admire the Chinese settler’s distinct customs and architecture. This quaint old street is an idyllic destination to sample local culinary specialities. You will also experience the exclusive walk through the dragon and tiger pagoda today!

Additionally, uncover the interesting Pier 2 Art Centre, and admire the Dragon and Tiger Pagoda. You will also have the chance to embrace the tantalising local cuisine at the recommended Sho (Michelin Star Restaurant). This restaurant perfectly combines classic elegance with innovative touches. The restaurant offers one menu, which includes two signature dishes lifted from Den – a green salad made with 10+ veggies that have been fried, steamed, ground, or pickled; and kamameshi featuring local, seasonal produce. At least two-months advanced booking is suggested.

Day 10: Depart Kaohsiung

Meet your guide at 9.00am, who will escort you to the train station for a high-speed train to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. The Kaohsiung to Taoyuan high-speed train will take around 1.5 hours and the train from Taoyuan to the Airport is around 20 minutes.