Grand Tour of Taiwan in 15 Days

Day 1 - Departure from Australia, Depart flight from Sydney, Australia with China Airlines CI52 22:00 to Taiwan

Day 2 - Arrive Taiwan / Free At Leisure (B)

Arrive Taipei International Airport at approx 04:15, you will be met by your friendly Taiwan Holidays guide who will greeted and transfered to your hotel in Taipei, where you will spend one night. You will be able to use the free time to explore Taipei City. 

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 3 - Yehliu / Northern Coast / Chiufen (B)
After breakfast, you'll be picked up at hotel lobby and travel to the northern coast through rich farming land to the growing industrial area and harbor of Keelung. See the Cave of the Immortals, a narrow natural cleft in a hill containing Buddhist shrines and sculptures.Continue along the northern coast to Yehliu Park, the highlight of this tour. Yehliu Park is known for it's spectacular rock formations, sculptured throughout the ages by wind and sea erosion leaving fascinating pillars including the famous Queen's Head and Fairy's Shoe. Then you will visit  the villages of Chiufen which were once centre of gold mining in Taiwan.The gold is gone, but these quaint old villages, built of closely-packed houses clinging to steep mountainsides, continue to offer enchanting scenery and fascinating glimpses into the lifestyles of the past. Then you are taken to the Northeast coast National Scenic Area, located in the northeast corner of Taiwan. The scenic area is noted for its numerous capes - "Pitou Cape"; and bays - "Bay of Two Colors" backed by green mountains.The famous Nanya Rock Formations will be visited with your great admirations. 
Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 4 - Taipei / Taipei City Sightseeing / Wulai Aboriginal Village (B)

 You can enjoy the breakfast at hotel restaurant. At approximately 8:00, you will be picked up from your hotel lobby to visit Taipei City's must see places. Sightseeings for today are: Presidential Building (Pass by), Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and National Palace Museum (has the world's largest Chinese art and painting collection), Martyrs' Shrine, Chinese Temple, then the Taiwanese Handicraft Centre, where you can see and purchase some Taiwanese souvenirs. Then we will continue to visit Wulai Aboriginal Village. Wulai, about 16 km south of Pitan, is the most accessible area from Taipei to view the aboriginal tribesmen who once were the head hunters of Taiwan. Driving along scenic mountain road following a winding river, let us escort you to the authentic aboriginal village and ride in unique push-car to the top of deep ravine. The aboriginal girls will tell you of their lives using graceful song and dance.

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 5 - Culture Tour / Sanhsia / Yingko/ Taipei (B)

After being picked up from your hotel this morning, you will experience the traditional Taiwanese style house where you will be able to take a glimpse of old Taiwanese family life style.But, before you en-route to Yilan, you will drive pass the Hsueh-Shan Long Tunnel (Snow Mountain Tunnel), which is 12.9km long - the 5th longest road tunnel in the world ! Taiwan Boutique Centre displays everything made in Taiwan !The visit to the "National Centre for Traditional Art " is a must, if you want to experience Taiwanese culture. It is situated at the downstream of the Dong Shan River in Wujie township. Dong Shan Water Park is only across the river from us and our park can be easily reached by the coastal highway. The total space of the park covers some 24 hectares and was built to meet the needs of traditional theater, music, dance, arts, and acrobatics. The park has 21 buildings and sites in total.

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 6 - Yangmingshan/ Hot Spring / Taipei (B/D)

After Breakfast, you will be taken to Yangmingshan National Park, the mountainous area north of Taipei City famous for its beautiful scenery, with traces of volcanic activities and abundant natural resources.It is Taiwan's third national park (the one closest to a major city). All year round, Yangmingshan has something to offer: flowers in spring, beautiful sky in summer, fruits and maple leaves in autumn as well as hot-spring bathing and snow in winter.Yangmingshan Hot-Springs, with beautiful views of the Tatun Mountain Range, has the largest density in Taiwan. Among the 10 different hot-spring locations in the area, Yangmingshan belongs to the mild alkaline sulphuric hot springs with light milky colored water of about 70 degrees centigrade.Bathing in this water has a relaxing and refreshing effect; it helps to relieve muscle pains, digestive problems, arteriosclerosis and other ailments.In the evening about 6:30PM, you will be take to explore the night life of Taipei. Firstly,  you will have Dinner at the Taiwanese dinner locally, then visit the oldest temple in Taiwan "Longshan Temple", and then off to the most colourful night market in Taiwan "Hwahsi Night Market"(aka Snake Valley). Finally you will be taken to see the world's 2nd tallest building in the world "Taipei 101".   

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 7 - Taipei / Puli / Sun Moon Lake (B)
After breakfast, you will depart for your Around Taiwan Tour, picking up by your guide at hotel lobby then drive to Sun Moon Lake which is located in the middle of Taiwan and situated 762 meters above sea level in the lofty mountains of Central Taiwan. Tour will stop at the famous Wenwu Temple and Literature Warrior Temple dedicated to Confucius as Master of Pen and to Kuan Ti as Master of Sword, Holy Monk Shrine and Peacock Garden. After touring around the Sun Moon Lake, proceed to hotel for check in, stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake. The hotel we stayed at is Fleur De Chine, which is the newest (built in 2009) deluxe '6 star' hotel at Sun Moon Lake, which  is the only hotel in the area that has the unique detox hot spring & spa facility inside the hotel.
Hotel: Fleur De Chine, Sun Moon Lake  (5*)

Day 8 - Taichung / Tainan / Kaohsiung (B)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Tainan City, the ancient capital of Taiwan. Situated on the southwestern coastal plains of the island and enjoys a warm climate all year round. It is the island's oldest and now fourth largest city. With its long history, Tainan is rich in historical sites and cultural heritage. We will take you to visit Koxinga Shrine, Chihkan Lou and Chimei Museum. After Tainan, we will continue to Kaohsiung City, which is the second largest city in Taiwan. The tour will take you to the romantic Love River and famous Lio Ho Night Market. At the end of today you will be overnight at Kaohsiung's Garden Villa, this 5 star hotel was the accommodation for Dali Lama during his visit in Taiwan in 2009.
Hotel: Garden Villa, Kaohsiung  (5*)


Day 9 - Kaohsiung / Kenting / Taitung (B)
Today, the highlight for many visit Taiwan is a visit to Kenting National Park, undoubtedly one of the most beautifully reserved natural forest in Taiwan. It is located in south of Taiwan with popular beach bordering on the tropical region of Taiwan where palm tree, banana trees, sugar cane and surfing beach are part of the scene. It's an excellent place for swim, surf, and dive. Other sightseeings will be visited today are the souther most tip of Taiwan,  "Maopitou" (named after the shape of cat-nose-like rock.) The coast of coral reef is worth a visit for land reforms which strongly affected by wave erosions, efflorescence, and salt-soaking. The natural landscape like wave erosion caves, ditches, and pillars are amazing, sea view here is attractive and very enjoyable. The Oluanpi Light House will also be visited. We then continue to Taitung via the scenic Southern Link Highway. Overnight at Taitung and enjoy a relaxing bath at the 5 star hotel's Spa & Hot Spring recreation area.  
Hotel: Naruwan Hotel, Taitung (5*)

Day 10 - Taitung / East Coast National Scenic Area / Hualien (B)
After breakfast, you will be on the exciting East Coast National Scenic Tour. The East Coast National Scenic Area, known as "Taiwan's Last Unspoiled Land", stretches 170 kilometers down the east coast of the island. Weathering, erosion, and accumulation have produced a wide range of landforms here. Our tour will stop at Siaoyeliou, Sansientai, Stone Steps, Caves of the Eight Immortals. In the late afternoon, we will proceed to Hualien for overnight stay.
Hotel: Chateau De Chine Hotel, Hualien (5*)

Day 11 - Hulaien / Taroko Gorge  (B)
This morning you will depart for Taroko National Park. Taroko Gorge is an exceptionally beautiful area of Taiwan. It is the 'Seven Wonder of Asia", its narrow raving created by the Liwu River which has cut deep into the mountains of solid marble. A road carved into sheer walls of rock rewinding its way past forested peaks and cliffs towering thousands of feet above it, while hundreds of feet below a river roars past gigantic marble boulders. Stops will be made at Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Marble Bridge, Tienshiang and Marble Factory.

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 12- Taipei / Free Time (B)

Suggestions: Tea house, Wisteria   

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 13- Taipei / Free Time (B)

Suggestions: Maokong by MRT, Taipei Zoo 

Hotel: Gala Hotel, Taipei (4*)

Day 14- Taipei / Free Time (B)

Suggestions: Shopping

Depart Taipei by CI51 23:55 Flight back to Australia.

Day 15 - Arrive Australia

The flight will arrive Sydney approximately before 12:15AM.