Classic Taiwan

Begin your journey in Taiwan in the vibrant capital of Taipei, where you will be met on arrival with VIP airport assistance and privately transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, explore Ximending, one of Taipei’s liveliest shopping and entertainment districts and the first designated pedestrian zone in Taiwan. Explore its bustling streets lined with fashion boutiques, shops, street art, and casual eateries, and visit the nearby Red House, a historic red-brick theater dating to the Japanese colonial era that today showcases Taiwanese design and creative arts. Continue to Taipei 101, the city’s iconic skyscraper, and ascend to the observatory for panoramic views across the capital. In the evening, enjoy dinner at Din Tai Fung, the acclaimed Taiwanese restaurant renowned for its meticulously prepared xiao long bao, or soup dumplings.

Begin at Longshan Temple, one of Taipei’s oldest and most important places of worship, originally founded in 1738 and dedicated to a blend of Buddhist, Taoist, and folk deities. Continue to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an imposing monument surrounded by expansive gardens, ponds, and ceremonial plazas, with exhibits exploring the life of Chiang Kai-shek and Taiwan’s modern history. In the afternoon, visit the National Palace Museum, home to one of the world’s foremost collections of Chinese imperial art and artifacts, spanning thousands of years of history. Conclude at Shilin Night Market, Taipei’s largest and most famous night market, where lively lanes are filled with shops, games, and food stalls serving an enormous variety of Taiwanese specialties.

Journey beyond Taipei to explore the dramatic landscapes and historic communities of Taiwan’s northeast coast. Begin at Yehliu Geopark, where wind and sea erosion have sculpted the coastline into remarkable rock formations, including the famous Queen’s Head. Continue into the mountains to Jiufen Old Street, a former gold-mining settlement whose narrow lanes are lined with traditional teahouses, shops, and food stalls, with sweeping views toward the mountains and sea. Afterwards, visit Shifen Old Street, a historic railway village where the tracks run directly through the heart of town and visitors can participate in the tradition of releasing colorful sky lanterns. Return to Taipei in the evening and conclude at Raohe Street Night Market, browsing its lively stalls and sampling Taiwanese street-food specialties, including its famous black pepper buns.

Depart Taipei and journey to Yilan, where you will visit Dajili Tribal House, set amid the region’s scenic mountain landscape. Spend time learning about the traditions, culture, and way of life of the local Indigenous community before enjoying lunch in this peaceful rural setting. Afterwards, journey south along Taiwan’s spectacular east coast to Chongde Gravel Beach, where a broad marble and gravel shoreline offers striking views of the Pacific Ocean beneath the towering Qingshui Cliffs. Conclude at the Taroko National Park Visitor Center, the gateway to Taroko Gorge, where exhibits introduce the region’s dramatic geology, ecology, and cultural heritage.

After breakfast, travel again to Yilan, where you will visit the National Center for Traditional Arts, a cultural complex dedicated to preserving and showcasing Taiwan’s artistic heritage. Explore its traditional-style streets and workshops featuring Taiwanese crafts, performing arts, local foods, and cultural traditions. Continue to Kavalan Distillery, home to Taiwan’s internationally acclaimed single malt whisky. Tour the modern distillery to learn about the whisky-making process and how Yilan’s distinctive climate influences its production before returning to Taipei.

Begin the day with a journey aboard Taiwan’s High Speed Rail (HSR) from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Upon arrival, visit the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, an expansive Buddhist complex encompassing temples, exhibition halls, and monumental Buddhist statuary. Continue to Lotus Pond, a scenic lake surrounded by colorful temples and pavilions, before exploring The Pier-2 Art Center, where former harbor warehouses have been transformed into galleries and creative spaces complemented by large-scale outdoor artworks. Conclude in Shinkuchan Shopping District, a lively neighborhood known for fashion boutiques, shops, and casual eateries, before returning to your hotel.

Travel to Tainan, approximately one hour away, to explore the city’s rich history and architectural heritage. Begin at Koxinga’s Shrine, dedicated to the Ming loyalist who expelled the Dutch from Taiwan in the 17th century. Continue to Chihkan Tower, originally established by the Dutch as Fort Provintia and today an enduring symbol of Tainan’s layered colonial past. Visit Anping Old Fort, built on the site of the former Dutch stronghold of Fort Zeelandia, which played a pivotal role in Taiwan’s early colonial history. Conclude with a stroll along Anping Old Street, one of the city’s oldest commercial areas, where narrow lanes are lined with traditional shops, historic buildings, and vendors offering local specialties.

Have breakfast and spend the morning at leisure, perhaps enjoying a final bowl of Taiwanese beef noodle soup or last minute souvenir collecting. When ready, a private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight onward.