Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Despite its small size, Taiwan is an island packed full of surprises. This 12-day itinerary offers the best of what this charming state has to offer, from the ever-impressive 21st-century metropolis of Taipei, to the untouched village life throughout the countryside that has seldom seen change over the years. Start your adventure with three days in the capital, before making your way to the island's historical southern city of Tainan via bullet train. You'll then leave modern civilisation behind as you head along a hundred-year-old train route in Alishan, before cruising over postcard-perfect Sun Moon Lake, and finally exploring the stunning national parks of Taroko.

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

  • Taipei's Night Markets: The capital is famed for its street food scene and many vendors boast Bib Gourmand status. Travelers must be sure to arrive with an appetite when they spend an evening grazing around Taipei's night markets.
  • Views from the Carriage Window: Ride the historic Alishan Train Passing through dense forest and past untouched village life.
  • Great Outdoors: Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan National Park are just a few of Taiwan's most serene natural beauty spots.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Taipei

This first day will be spent mostly in transition. After arriving in Tokyo, you’ll be connected to an onwards flight to Taipei for a late evening arrival. The first night will be spent in style at a luxury hotel. 

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.

See Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Taipei

After an international buffet breakfast, it’s time to explore the Taiwanese capital for the first time. Guided stop-offs include the National Palace Museum, the bustling commercial hub of Dihua Old Street and a traditional Buddhist temple. Following a seafood dinner, you’re free to explore the city at night, with recommendations including the Taipei 101 Observatory or Raohe Street Market for a taste of local life.

Taipei
Taipei

Day 3

Taipei

Another day of touring will take you out of the city to Jiufen, a small mountainous town famous for its quaint winding roads and local life. After exploring Jiufen, there’s opportunity to visit Yehliu Geopark, Fort Santo Domingo and the famous Fisherman’s Wharf, a stunning spot especially at sunset. After dinner at Shillin Night Market, you’re free to explore the rest of this fascinating market in the evening.

Day 4

Tainan

A half day of touring awaits on day four, with a trip to Yingee Ceramics Museum and Yingee Old Street both on the morning’s itinerary. After a cafe lunch, it’s time to board the bullet train to Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan. The journey takes less than two hours, meaning you’ll have the afternoon and evening to explore this pretty southern city before checking in to your hotel. 

Hotel Options
About

Within a short walk of Tainan’s Confucian temple, baseball stadium and a number of parks, Silks Place is the perfect hotel for visitors to the enchanting, historic city. The hotel itself nods to its heritage with authentic calligraphy and beautiful pottery adorning walls and surfaces, without any compromise on modern luxury.

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.

Tainan
Tainan

Day 5

Tainan

This full day of touring Tainan includes visits to an ancient shrine, the 17th-century Confucian Temple, Ten Drum Culture Village in the suburbs and the impressive Chihkan Towers, home to a vibrant night market selling local produce. Dinner is set in a classic-style Chinese teahouse. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel to rest up after a long day of sightseeing.

  

 

 

Day 6

Alishan National Park

It’s time to leave Tainan behind, and in the morning you’ll depart for Chiayi Train Station and journey along the atmospheric, 100-year-old Alishan Railway Train Ride, passing through dense forests and past local village life. After the two-hour journey, you’ll be picked up and taken to your hotel in Alishan Park. You’re then free to explore this natural park on foot for the rest of the day.

Hotel Options
About

This is widely acknowledged as the best hotel available in the Alishan forest recreation area. Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty, including hillsides covered in cherry blossom and neat green tea fields, the hotel provides the perfect base from which to explore and marvel.

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.

Alishan National Park
Alishan National Park

Day 7

Sun Moon Lake

A 9am pickup from your hotel takes you to Sun Moon Lake, with plenty of opportunities for some sightseeing along the scenic route. The lake itself is quite incredible, with a towering mountain creating a majestic backdrop to the azure waters. The area is situated at 2,454 feet above sea level and has long been inhabited by groups of Taiwanese Aboriginals. Check in to your hotel in the evening and have a leisurely dinner.

Hotel Options
About

With heritage dating back over 100 years, superb panoramic views of the mystical Sun Moon Lake and 5-star opulence, The Lalu has it all. This hotel, which dates back to 1901, was previously the beloved summer vacation spot for Taiwanese President Chiang Kai Shek.

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 8

Sun Moon Lake

First up on the day’s itinerary is a tranquil boat tour of the huge lake, which on a clear day will reflect the sunlight for miles. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the surrounding mountain region at Sun Moon Lake Ropeway and Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village and there’s also time to see an ancient monastery - one of the largest in the country.

Day 9

Taroko Gorge

Prepare yourself with a big breakfast by the lake, ready for a four-hour journey to Taroko, a region famous for its vast parks, forests and natural beauty. Your drive will take you through Aowanda National Forest as well as Hehuanshan National Forest, which both boast some incredible mountain views as well as some precarious rocky roads. Check in to your room at Silks hotel before an evening dinner.

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.

Taroko Gorge
Taroko Gorge

Day 10

Taroko Gorge

This whole day is dedicated visiting all the must-see spots around this beautiful region of Taiwan, with visits to waterfalls at Taroko Gorge, the brilliant-red washed Marble Bridge and a local shrine. The route through the park passes local villages, temples and markets that you can spend as much or as little time as you need. Arrive back at the hotel before a relaxing evening dinner to wind down another full day.

Day 11

Taipei

The morning of this penultimate day can be spent at your own leisure, relaxing in the hotel grounds or venturing out on foot to explore this picturesque area further. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and prepare yourself for the five-hour trip back to Taipei. 

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.

See Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Taipei Preferred Hotel

Day 12

Departure

Enjoy the Mandarin Oriental’s world-class breakfast buffet one last time before checking out of the hotel just after sunrise. Private transportation will take you to the international airport of Taiwan where you’ll take an onwards flight to Tokyo for lunch. Wave goodbye to Taiwan, and we wish you safe travels for your next exciting adventure.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–3

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Preferred Hotel

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

The utterly stunning Mandarin Oriental Taipei stands shining over Dun Hua North Road in central Taipei. Just a short distance from both Songshan Airport Station and from Nanjing East Road MRT station, this architectural marvel is within easy reach of the city and all its delights. Nearby attractions certain to interest guests include Taipei Arena, Taipei Fine Art Museum, a number of beautiful riverside parks and the city’s shopping district with Taipei 101. Within the hotel are a range of opulent rooms and suites to suit all tastes, sumptuously decorated and well equipped for comfort and luxury. Guests can choose between three formal restaurants serving a range of cuisines from around the world, while the hotel’s bar and cake shop serve delightful little treats. What’s more, the pool, spa and lounge encourage guests to relax and unwind, while the fitness center is perfect for invigorating workouts. 

Rosewood Taipei
Preferred Hotel

Rosewood Taipei

The new Rosewood Taipei will sit at an intersection of old and new neighborhoods, within the Xinyi District of the city. The property will be composed of 191 guest rooms and 27 suites, which feature gorgeous views of Taipei's mountains and skyline. Hotel amenities include five restaurants and bars, business facilities, an indoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as Sense, A Rosewood Spa - replete with four treatment rooms.

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–5

Silks Place Tainan

Silks Place Tainan

Within a short walk of Tainan’s Confucian temple, baseball stadium and a number of parks, Silks Place is the perfect hotel for visitors to the enchanting, historic city. The hotel itself nods to its heritage with authentic calligraphy and beautiful pottery adorning walls and surfaces, without any compromise on modern luxury. Spacious and comfortable, the rooms at Silks Place cater to leisure or business guests with excellent amenities including WiFi as well as laundry and shoe shine services. Gastronomic offerings are provided by the Chinese, Japanese and steak restaurants while T Bar serves traditional teas in a tranquil atmosphere. The hotel’s fourth floor is home to recreation activities for all ages. The outdoor swimming pool is perfect for soaking up the sun with a refreshing dip and the well-equipped gym takes care of the fitness regime. Younger guests will also be occupied in the fun and colorful kids’ club.

Suggested Hotel For Day 6

Alishan House

Alishan House


This is widely acknowledged as the best hotel available in the Alishan forest recreation area. Surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty, including hillsides covered in cherry blossom and neat green tea fields, the hotel provides the perfect base from which to explore and marvel. What’s more, it is located just a short stroll from the Alishan railway, for easy access to all the sights and places of interest in the park. The two elegant towers comprise the Historic House and the Modern House and the guest rooms are chic and sumptuously decorated with comfortable and convenient amenities across the board. Alishan House boasts an on-site restaurant famed for its authentic and delicious Chinese food, while the charming coffee shop is the ideal spot for a little pick-me-up at breakfast time. The outdoor star terrace is aptly named; perhaps the highlight of the property, it affords stunning views of the cloud sea, especially at sunset.


Suggested Hotel For Days 7–8

The Lalu

The Lalu

With heritage dating back over 100 years, superb panoramic views of the mystical Sun Moon Lake and 5-star opulence, The Lalu has it all. This hotel, which dates back to 1901, was previously the beloved summer vacation spot for Taiwanese President Chiang Kai Shek. The Lahu has since been renovated, now rendering new Zen architecture. The building and interior design emphasizes the contrast between light and shadow, accentuating its minimalist décor and adding to the blissfulness that consumes the property. Guests can select from one or two bedroomed suites with separate living areas and private balconies looking out to the lake, or a courtyard villa with its own private pool. Inside, rooms are plush and feature up-market motifs like stone fireplaces and balconies decked with bonsai. The extravagance continues to the room’s amenities including Bose stereo systems and free Wi-Fi to the hotel’s facilities, which boasts the largest swimming pool in Taiwan and an in-house spa. Gourmands will not be disappointed at the dining options such as The Oriental Brasserie dishing up top-notch Italian, French and Asian cuisine, The Lake View Chinese Restaurant, a Japanese restaurant and a tea house.

Suggested Hotel For Days 9–10

Silks Place Taroko

Silks Place Taroko

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. The hotel’s deluxe rooms are well-furnished with modern amenities and private balconies overlooking either the nearby mountains or the river below. Diners may enjoy Chinese or international dishes al-fresco amongst the rugged gorge edges, or inside in the elegant restaurant with two private rooms. In the evenings, guests can indulge in a few after dinner drinks and star gazing at the Fire Place bar -complete with stylish outdoor heaters.

Suggested Hotels For Day 11

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei
Preferred Hotel

Mandarin Oriental, Taipei

The utterly stunning Mandarin Oriental Taipei stands shining over Dun Hua North Road in central Taipei. Just a short distance from both Songshan Airport Station and from Nanjing East Road MRT station, this architectural marvel is within easy reach of the city and all its delights. Nearby attractions certain to interest guests include Taipei Arena, Taipei Fine Art Museum, a number of beautiful riverside parks and the city’s shopping district with Taipei 101. Within the hotel are a range of opulent rooms and suites to suit all tastes, sumptuously decorated and well equipped for comfort and luxury. Guests can choose between three formal restaurants serving a range of cuisines from around the world, while the hotel’s bar and cake shop serve delightful little treats. What’s more, the pool, spa and lounge encourage guests to relax and unwind, while the fitness center is perfect for invigorating workouts. 

Rosewood Taipei
Preferred Hotel

Rosewood Taipei

The new Rosewood Taipei will sit at an intersection of old and new neighborhoods, within the Xinyi District of the city. The property will be composed of 191 guest rooms and 27 suites, which feature gorgeous views of Taipei's mountains and skyline. Hotel amenities include five restaurants and bars, business facilities, an indoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness center, as well as Sense, A Rosewood Spa - replete with four treatment rooms.

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