Example Itinerary

Coastal Taiwanese Road Trip: Kaohsiung to Taipei

Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Amazing Landscapes
Destinations
Taiwan

With a gently sprawling gradient and a mild climate often compared to that of California, Taiwan is an ideal country to experience on the road. And while the nation has modernized rapidly and is heavily invested in the industries of manufacturing, electronics, and technology, numerous temples, pagodas, and other historic sites that are well-preserved examples of ancient Chinese architectural styles remain. After evenings spent resting and enjoying luxury accommodations such as Silks Palace in the Taroko Gorge and the Mandarin Oriental in Taipei, you’ll spend days driving along the Pacific Ocean Road visiting impressive natural areas, parks, and monasteries – and even a local whiskey distillery for a tour and tasting session. These experiences, and many more, round out a road trip that will see travelers immersed in the unique island culture of Taiwan.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Buddhist Serenity: Visit the Fo Guang Shan, which literally translates to “Buddha’s Light Mountain Monastery,” on the bank of the Gaoping River.
  • Natural Beauty: Spend a full day touring Taroko Gorge, considered by many to be the “Grand Canyon of Taiwan” thanks to its huge marbled rock formations and diverse plant and animal life.
  • Street Food & Souvenirs: Tour several of the culturally vibrant night markets for which Taiwan is famous, including Liuho, Shilin, and Raohe.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Map

Kaohsiung

Arrive at the airport in Kaohsiung and enjoy a private transfer to your hotel. Unwind and freshen up before an evening spent touring the Chi-Jin Peninsula to see its seafood street and locally renowned Liuho night market. This small land formation along the west side of Kaohsiung is home to a thriving fishing community, as well as a historic lighthouse, World War I bunkers, and some of the world’s most diverse selections of dried seafood offerings for sale at street stalls.

Hotel Options
About

Whether you travel to Kaohsiung for history, nature, or simply to shop, this southern Taiwanese city is a tempting destination, and the luxurious Silks Club Hotel is a perfect home base for your travels. The hotel's airy, minimalist rooms start at 197 square feet, and guests can pick between two twins or a king-size bed.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

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Taitung

First on the agenda today is a tour of Fo Guang Shan, an important regional monastery and one of the shining architectural achievements of Kaohsiung. Along with its traditional building style that is captivating in its own right, there is also a standing Buddha of 48 meters in height surrounded by some 480 smaller Buddha images. Afterward, transfer to Taitung via the south link highway with a detour to see the south shore around Kenting National Park. This area is known for its white sand beaches, caves, coral reefs, and a resort. Kenting Town also plays host to many restaurants, street food stalls, and bars that often feature live musicians.

Hotel Options
About

Located riverside along a mountain, the Chihpen Century Hotel in Taitung boasts its own hot springs. The hotel draws in both domestic and international guests with its natural surroundings, allowing for strolls through forested paths and waterfalls.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Taitung
Taitung

Day 3

Map

Taroko Gorge

A drive from Taitung to Hualien along the eastern Pacific coast is planned for today, with numerous scenic stops along the way and a chance to see a significant piece of the Taiwanese coastline. Planned stops include the Jiulalan Recreation Area, the unspoiled beaches of Sansiantai, the natural sea caves of Basiandong, and the coastal terraces of Shitiping. In the evening, arrive at the Silks Palace, located within the Taroko Gorge in Taroko National Park.

Hotel Options
About

This large, sleek, contemporary Chinese style hotel offers sweeping vistas of Taroko Gorge and its surrounding mountainside. The hotel has many five-star well-being facilities including an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, sauna and gym with fitness classes.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

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Taroko Gorge

The fourth day of the journey is free for travelers to spend touring the Taroko National Park. We suggest stops at Hehuanshan Mountain, the Baiyang Trail, and the Eternal Spring Shrine. The first of these, Hehuanshan, is most known for its views that afford a rare glimpse at snow, while the Baiyang Trail offers a chance at venturing out to some spectacular stone formations and secluded areas. Guests who choose to visit the Eternal Spring Shrine will find a picturesque, old-world building set above a mountain waterfall. The gorge area also has many other attractions guests may explore, such as pristine beaches and nature trails.

Day 5

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Taipei

Today, drive from the Taroko Gorge to Taipei along the Suhua Highway, making several stops for sightseeing along the way before returning to urban Taiwan. One of these will take travelers to the Qingshui Cliff and its dramatic views of the ocean from Taiwan’s highest coastal rock face. Other tour items on the day include visits to Fugang Fishing Port and the Kavalan Distillery. At Kavalan, guests will enjoy a comprehensive guided tour complete with a tasting session in which several varieties of the distillery’s award-winning single malts will be brought to the table. Finally, arrive in Taipei for the evening and enjoy the bustling night market of Shilin.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: In the Taipei’s central business district, the Mandarin Oriental is located near to MRT stations and is only a short distance from Songshan Airport.

Service: From the moment a reservation is made, staff are on hand to cater to guests’ every need before they ask, offering world-famous Mandarin Oriental service.

History: Since its opening in spring 2014, the Mandarin Oriental Taipei has been wowing guests and proving its reputation as Taiwan’s finest five-star hotel.

Read More
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei Preferred Hotel
Taipei
Taipei

Day 6

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Taipei

The final full day of the itinerary is slotted for touring in and around Taipei. Some of our recommended stops for the day’s sightseeing include Elephant Mountain, the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the National Palace Museum, Huashan Arts District, and the Ximending district. Elephant Mountain is a great way to start the morning, as it offers one of the best views of the entire city. Guests who proceed on to visit the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park will enjoy a largely outdoor hub for art and creativity featuring numerous modern art installations, whereas the National Palace Museum, one of the largest of its kind in the world, strikes a more serious tone with its collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and works of art. The Huashan and Ximending districts are, respectfully, another creative space and a pedestrian shopping hub.

Day 7

Map

Departure

Take a private transfer to the airport in Taipei, and enjoy a safe flight home after your road trip journey along coastal Taiwan.

Why Remote Lands?

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With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

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