5 Days Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Tarako Gorge, Kaohsiung, Tai Tung

Overview

Visit the numerous temples, shrines, hot springs and national parks of Taiwan on this 5-day tour around the entire island. Leave bustling Taipei behind for the remote beaches and rocky coastal scenery of Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge, Kenting National Park, and the East Coast National Scenic Area. Your guide provides insightful commentary on sites such as Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Wenwu Temple, Holy Monk Shrine, and Tse-En Pagoda.

• 5-day Taiwan island tour to Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge and more
• Experience the whole island of Taiwan aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned coach
• Admire the remote beaches and rocky coastal areas of Kenting National Park and East Coast National Scenic Area Telecommunication in 5-star hotels, daily breakfasts, entrance fees, and transportation included

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• 5-star hotel accommodation x 4 nights
• Local General Liabilities Insurance
• Breakfast (4)

Pickup details

Pick-up is available at hotels or metro stations in downtown Taipei City. If the hotel lobby is located on an upper level, please meet the tour guide on the ground level of the hotel building. Exact pick-up time will be provided by local operator upon confirmation. Please note the pick-up service cannot accommodate hotels in Neihu, Nangang, Shilin, Beitou, Wenshan District, and New Taipei City area.

What To Expect

• Start your 5-day round-island tour of Taiwan with the coach drive from Taipei to the temples of Sun Moon Lake, including Wenwu Temple, Holy Monk Shrine, and Tse-En Pagoda. Day 2 takes you to Fo Guang Shan Monastery and the night market of Kaohsiung. Explore Kenting National Park on Day 3, continue your journey through the unspoiled coastline of Taitung’s East Coast National Scenic Area, then finish on the fourth day at Hualien and nearby Taroko Gorge, whose towering marble cliffs dominate Taroko National Park.
• Enjoy four nights’ accommodation in 5-star hotels with daily breakfasts included; your guide can make recommendations of authentic Taiwanese cuisine for lunch and dinner.

Day 1: Taipei – Sun Moon Lake

Sun Moon Lake:

On the first morning of your Taiwan-round island tour you will depart from central Taipei and head for the heart of the island, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area. Sun Moon Lake is the biggest freshwater lake in the island. The lake is divided by Lalu Island; the east side of the lake resembles the sun while the west side resembles the crescent moon, hence the name. The area around the lake is also the home to the Thao people, a group of Taiwan indigenous peoples. With a rich indigenous culture and abundant natural beauty, Sun Moon Lake has become one of the top-ranked destinations in Taiwan. After lunch, you will tour around the lake by bus and visit the most well-known attractions in this area.

Yidashao Pier

Yidashao(Ita Thao), an indigenous village where you can get glimpses of Thao people’s culture and lifestyle. There are stores, restaurants, and hotels in the village. The Thao people also established the “Thao Cultural Village” for tourists to experience their traditional culture, music, and dance.

Xuanzhuang Temple

A Buddhist temple devoted to the prominent monk Xuanzang. In 1965, the Monk Xuanzang’s remains were moved to the Xuanzang Temple after the temple was rebuilt. There is a bell in front of the main gate,called “wake up bell.”

Ci’en Pagoda

A majestic pagoda also a famous landmark in Sun Moon Lake, built by the late president Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother. From the top of the pagoda, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Sun Moon Lake and the stunning landscapes surrounding it.

Wenwu Temple

An imposing Taoist temple, initially a dual temple (Longfeng Temple and Ihuatang) and rebuilt in 1969 with 3 halls dedicated to the Martial God and the God of Literature.

Day 2: Sun Moon Lake – Kaohsiung

Xiangshan Visitor Center

After breakfast, your 5 days in Taiwan can resume by enjoying a pleasant walk around the Xiangshan Visitor Center, a unique building designed for tourism and administration use. The massive canopy structure allows people to enjoy the stunning views of Sun Moon Lake from the top.

Fo Guang Shan

After that, you will depart for Kaohsiung, the most populated city in South Taiwan, also a romantic harbor city. The first stop upon your arrival is Fo Guang Shan, a big Buddhist monastery founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. The signature of the monastery is the enormous statue of Buddha Amitabha in gold color that can be seen from miles away, also the tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue in the world. Here you will have a good understanding about the doctrines and development of Buddhism, the most widely practiced religion in Taiwan. Additionally, the restaurants in the monastery provide tasty and hearty vegetarian meals that you have a try at your own expense.

Liuhe Tourist Night Market

After the monastery, you will move down the hill to the center of Kaohsiung City. It’s time to fulfill your appetite with some local delicacies at Liuhe Tourist Night Market, the oldest and most typical night market in Kaohsiung. Here you have a chance to taste the city’s signature street food, such as seafood congee, steamed salted shrimps, papaya milk drink, rice cake, stinky tofu and many more.

Day 3: Kaohsiung – Kenting – Taitung

Kenting National Park

After breakfast, you will head for the south of the border, also where Taiwan’s first national park is located. Kenting National Park is known for its coastal geologic features and landscapes, and the marine biodiversity due to crustal deformation and tropical climate. Besides, Kenting is also a paradise for surfers and divers. Today you will stop at Maopitou, Chuanfan Rock, Eluanpi Park & light house and Longpan Park.

Maobitou Park

Maopitou (literally cat’s nose), a unique natural rock formation that looks just like a giant crouching cat from a distance.

Eluanbi

Eluanpi Lighthouse was built during the Qing Dynasty. It was listed as one of the Eight Views of Taiwan Japanese colonization.

Longpan Park

Longpan Park is a coral limestone tableland eroded by rainwater. It keeps the original features of the landscape with wide grassland and faces the Pacific Ocean. After that, head for Taitung via South-Link Highway, and enjoy the scenery along the way. Tonight you will stay in a 5-star hot spring resort in Chihpen, Taitung. Chihpen is a hot spring spot that is famous for carbonate hot springs therapy. The hot spring water is effective for improving blood circulation and fatigue relief.

Day 4: Taitung – East Coast National Scenic Area – Hualien

East Coast National Scenic Area

After a good night’s sleep and a substantial breakfast, your 5-day tour in Taiwan resumes by traveling along the east coast, the last unspoiled place of the island. Wherever you go, it never ceases to amaze you with its enchanting natural scenery. You will stop at the most famous scenic spots: Xiaoyeliu, Sanxientai, Shitiping and Fanshuliao; each of them features unique geologic characteristics.

Xiaoyeliu

The first stop is Xiaoyehliu (literally little Yehliu). The natural rock formations in this area resemble to those found in Yehliu Geopark in the northern coast of Taiwan, hence the name. Here you can have a close-up look at those unique landforms created by weathering and sea erosion.

Sanxiantai

Then you will visit Sanxientai (literally the terrace of the three immortals), which is composed of an offshore island and coral reefs. The cross-sea bridge that connects the mainland and the island is an iconic landmark of the East Coast National Scenic Area.

Shitiping

Your next stop is Shitiping (literally stone steps), a well-developed sea erosion terrace. The promontories along the coastline eroded by sea water over millions of years, resulted in the abrasion platform, the sea grooves, the sea cliffs, and the potholes that we see today. Therefore, Shitiping is also considered a world-class outdoor geology classroom. 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free 5

Fanshuliao

Before you visit the marble factory in Hualien, you will stop by Fanshuliao, a unique canyon that is regarded as a small version of Taroko Gorge.

Day 6: Hualien – Taroko – Taipei

Taroko National Park

On the last day of your 5 days in Taiwan, you will visit the most spectacular place in Taiwan, also the biggest marble canyon in the world—Taroko National Park. Pull out your camera or phone, and be ready for a mind-blowing adventure! Situated in the eastern part of Taiwan, Taroko National Park was established in the year of 1986. This park features high mountains and sheer gorges with a diverse range of wildlife and geologic characteristics. The most well-known parts of this park are the marble cliffs, which can soar up to 1,100 meters high. Today you will stop at the most popular attractions: Shakadang Trail/ Lushui Trail, Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Temple), Swallow Grotto and Cimu Bridge.

Shakadang Trail

First, take a walk along Shakadang Trail or Lushui Trail, where the river gently flowing through the marble boulders as you meander along the trail in parallel. The turquoise blue water of the river is crystal clear that you can see the riverbed from above.

Yanzihkou Trail (Swallow Grotto)

The next stop is Swallow Grotto. The potholes on the cliff surface were created by the ground water and the rapid stream of the river. In the past, they were the natural nesting location of swallows, hence the name. Walking through the tunnels, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the marble cliffs reaching up to the sky.

Cihmu Bridge

Before lunch, you will stop by Cimu Bridge (literally motherly devotion bridge), an H-shape hanging bridge built of marble and named by the late president Chiang Jing-guo, for a heart-touching story about a loving mother.

Eternal Spring Shrine

After lunch, you will stop by Eternal Spring Shrine, a memorial shrine established in 1958, to commemorate the 225 personnel (military veterans) who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. From afar, you can see the waterfall cascading over the sheer cliff below the shrine, creating a picturesque view.

Qingshui Cliff

Before ending your Taiwan-round island tour and returning to Taipei, you will stop for a visit at one of the “Eight Wonders” in Taiwan, Qingshui Cliff, for another visual feast. The soaring cliff is more than 1000 meters high, stretches for 21 kilometers and nearly vertically drops into the sea, that you can enjoy a sweeping view from the viewing platform.