2012 Taiwan & Japan Autumn Leaves 18 Days

Guaranteed for the best Taiwan & Japan Tour 
Day 1(Sat) - Departure from Australia
NOV 2012: Depart flight from Sydney, Australia with China Airlines CI52 22:10 to Taiwan.
 
Day 2(Sun)- Arrive Taiwan / Sun Moon Lake / Puli / Chiayi (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: On arrival into Taipei International Airport at approx 4:30AM in the morning, you will be met by your friendly Taiwan Holidays & Travel tour guide who will greet you at the Taipei Airport lobby. You will be transfered to Nantou, where Sun Moon Lake is located. It is Taiwan's largest lake with the east side shaped like "Sun", and West side shaped like "Moon", hence the name "Sun Moon Lake". Sightseeing around the area includes:  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 round Sun Moon Lake, you will be transfered to the "Taiwanese Gourmet Restaurant" to have lunch in Puli, then depart for "Formosa Nine Aboriginal Tribes Culture Village" to see the shows and beautiful garden of the theme park and Aboriginal culture village. During this time of the year in spring in Taiwan, you maybe able to see the famouse cherry blossom at the Sun Moon Lake area & Formosan culture village. Tonight you will stay at Chiayi City, there is a night market near your 5 star hotel.
Hotel: Maison De Chine Hotel, Chiayi (5)

Day 3(Mon) - Chiayi / Alisan / Kaohsiung (B/L/X)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, you will depart for the  "Eight Wonders of Taiwan - Alisan", which is located at the end of the Alisan Forest Railway. If the weather permits, you will be able to see the eternal sea of clouds and sunrise on Jhushan after an early morning walk through a spectacular landscapes of valleys and trails. Sightseeings around the Alisan National Scenic Area including: Cherry Blossom (Season: 15Mar-20Apr), Sister Lake, Zhaoping Park, Sochun Temple, Old Alisan Tree Site, ... just to name a few. After the experience at Alisan,  you will be transferred to Kaohsiung City, where will have the City Tour of Kaohsiung, see the largest industrial harbor- Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan, and the second busiest harbor in Asia. In the evening, you will visit "Liuho Night Market", to taste the Taiwanese deserts and snacks. You can then visit the famous "Love River" which is now renowned for its café culture and night tour which are popular among local couples for a romantic night. Tonight you will stay at the 5 star Garden Villa Hotel, which is opposite the famous Lotus Lake in Kaohsiung City.      
Hotel: Garden Villa, Kaohsiung (5)

Day 4 (Tue)- Kaohsiung / Kenting / Taitung (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: 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 southernmost 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 (it is the world's first military equipped light house). We then continue to Taitung via the Scenic Southern Link Highway. Overnight at Taitung and enjoy a relaxing hot spring bath at the 5 star hotel in Chiben area.
Hotel: Naruwan Hotel, Taitung (5)

Day 5(Wed) - Taitung / East Coast National Scenic Area / Hualien (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: After Breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to "Tainan Aboriginal Beinan Cultural Village" it is the site where the BC civil human evidences have been found. Then we will drive through the HuaTong Mt Route, where we will stop at: “BuLong Aboriginal Village” and have the Aboriginal cuisine lunch at the village. “Kwang Fu” Sugar Factory will be visitor. And “LinTenSun” where the historical part of Taiwan when its heyday of tree cutting industry was at its most prosperous in the Japanese occupancy period. "Chin Sho Temple" will be visited too for its unique architecture design left from the Japanese occupy period of Taiwan. Tonight you will be overnight at Hualien City.
Hotel: China Trust Hotel, Hualien (5)

Day 6(Thurs)- Hualien / Taroko National Park / Taipei City (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: This morning you will depart for Taroko Gorge National Park. The 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. On our way back to Taipei, we will drive pass the "Chingshuei Cliff" located on the section of the Suao-Hualien Highway that stretches between Heping and Chongde stations, is one of the most spectacular sights on Taiwan's Pacific coast. The cliff is more than 1,000 meters high and drops almost vertically into the sea. The highway snakes along its curving face more than 20 kilometers, with the sheer cliff rising on one side and a sheer drop to the ocean on the other.We will then drive back to Taipei via Su-Hua Highway and Hsuei-Shan Long Tunnel (12.9 kilometers) to arrive Taipei at around 5PM, and then you will be driven  to explore the vibrant night life of Taipei, e.g. Taipei 101 Building, Night Markets... etc. Tonight you will start your 3 nights accommodation at the five star hotel accommodation at Howard Plaza Hotel, which is located at the most convenient & popular & busiest shopping district of Taipei City!
Hotel:  Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei (5)

Day 7(Fri) - Wulai / Chiufen / Yeliu (B/X/X)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, you will be taking to Wulai, it is famous for hot spring, waterfall, and Aboriginal culture. There is even a cable car to whisk you up to the to top the mountain to have panoramic view of the valley. The "Wulai Old Street" will be visited, where you can taste the many famous Taiwanese gourmet and snacks. After Lunch, we will depart for Yehliu Ocean Park. It is known for its 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". The next stop in the evening will be Chiufen Village, famous for its old mining town's charming characteristics. Many famous Taiwanese movies were shot here. You will be able to see the beautiful sunset when you arrive at the village. Dinner will be a great variety of choices at the village's traditional shops.
Hotel: Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei (5)

Day 8(Sat) - Taipei / Yangmingshan National Park / Taipei City Sightseeing (B/L/X)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, we will visit Yanmingshan National Park. Other sightseeings for today are: Presidential Building (Pass by), Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and National Palace Museum (has the largest Chinese art and painting collection - more than 650,000 pieces). Lunch will be held at the famous restaurant - Five Dimes, which was the masterpiece of the artist Ms Hsieh. After lunch, we will visit Martyrs' Shrine. In the evening, you will be treated by the famous Taiwanese foot massage. Tonight you will visit the largest night market in Taiwan, "Shilin Night Market". In the night market, you will able to explore and see all sorts of bargains.
Hotel: Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei (5)

Day 9(Sun)- Taipei / Optional Tour - Taipei International Flora EXPO (B/X/X)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, you will have leisure time to explore the vibrant city of Taipei. Taipei is a shopholic's heaven. You can find all sorts of bargain to all the world famous brands at one shopping district. You can catch the MRT to many parts of the city, e,g. Ximending, Xingyi Shopping District, East Chungxiao Area for shopping. See some suggestions by click here.
Optional Tour - Taipei Internaitonal Flora EXPO 9:00AM-6:00PM $90 per person (min 2 people required in the group).
Hotel: Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei  (5)

Day 10(Mon) - Taipei / Osaka, Japan / Osaka Castle / Sinsaibasi (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, you will transferred to TPE Intl Airport for CI 156 departing at 08:35 for Osaka - the oldest city in Japan. Once arrived, our friendly Japan local guide will take you to the Osaka Castle (大阪城公園) built in 1583, with a five-layer Dijon as its core, on a lawn park that stretches for about 60,000 square meters. During the cherry blossom season in the spring, this park is especially crowded with Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) crowd. Osaka's north gate, Umeda, has a gigantic stretch of underground mall that h houses many restaurants, fashion and sundry goods stores. In contrast to Kita with Umeda as its core, Minami is an area with core cities Namba, a popular business and shopping district, and Dotonbori with many restaurants on both sides of Dontonbori-gawa River. In recent years, the development of Osaka's new showplace, the waterfront, is taking place. Tenpo-zan Harbour Village, which has 112 meter-high ferris-wheel, shopping mall and Suntory Museum, a complex of culture facilities, and ATC (Asia-Pacific Trade Centre), Japan's largest outlet mall, are also poplar. We will visit the largest shopping district in Osaka this evening, Shinsaibasi (心斎橋), where many boutiques and specialty shops are gathered. The Shinsaibashi has developed from the arcaded streets called Shinsaibashi Shopping Street. This district  has a row of large size department stores and reasonably priced shops. The Suomachi-suji Street offers an elegant atmosphere with stone paved sidewalks with British style street-lamps and buildings. The area is nicknamed European Village. the Western area of Shinsaibasi is nicknamed American Village and its symbol is the walls painted with unique illustrations. A welcome dinner is set at a local Japanese restaurant for you to taste the real sushi, sashimi, ... etc
Hotel: Rihga Royal Hotel, Osaka or similar (5)

Day 11(Tue) - Kobe / Akashi Kaikyo Bridge / Himeji Castle / Horoshima (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, you will visit Akashi Kaikyo Bridge at Kobe (神戸・明石大橋).  We will visit the Himeji Castle (姫路城). After lunch at a traditional Japanese restaurant, we will depart for Hiroshima (広島). Tonight we will stay at the most luxury hotel at Hiroshima - the Grande Hiroshima Hotel surrounded by the sea. Located beside Motoujina Park, the Hiroshima Prince Hotel looks out toward the picturesque islands that dot the Seto Inland Sea. With magnificent views of the Hiroshima Port and Miyajima Island, the dramatic prism structure towers 23 floors.
Hotel: Grand Prince Hotel Hiroshima (5)

Day 12(Wed) - Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum / Miyajima (Itukushima Temple) / Oakyama /Kourakuen / Kyoto / Biwako Lake (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: Today we will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (広島平和記念館) . Then proceed to Miyajima Island (宮島), the famous floating Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) and world famous Tori Gate. Other sightseeing today includes: one of the three most beautiful garden in Japan - Kourakuen Garden (後楽園) at Oakayama (In the middle of Okayama city 岡山 is one of the nicest gardens of any type you're likely to encounter anywhere. Created at the orders of the Ikeda clan (the same folks who founded the Sgizutani school), the gardens occupy most of the island in the middle of the Asahigawa river in central Okayama. Later, we will ariive Kyoto (京都), where the famous Nijo Castle & Golden Pavilion (清水寺&金閣寺) are located. Brief visit to the Kyoto Handicraft Centre for souvenirs. Late in the afternoon, we will arrive at Japan's largest lake, Biwako Lake (琵琶湖), which is 670.25 sq km and 235km around. Lake Biwa is a major water supply to Kansai, and is the world's 3rd largest lake. Tonight we will stay at the Lake Biwa shore, the Otsu Prince Hotel boasts 38 floors and is home to Oumi Convention Hall, one of the largest convention halls in Japan. Plus, each of the hotel's 540 guest rooms offers spectacular year-round views of Lake Biwa.
Hotel: Nagahama Royal Hotel, or similar (4)

Day 13(Thurs) -  Hikone Caste / Genkyu Garden / Gujo Hachiman / Takayama(B/L/D)
NOV 2012: We will visit Nara (奈良), the former capital (they used to change the capital every time an emperor died, so Japan has quite a few former capitals), Hikone Castle (彦根城). The castles at Hikone are two of Japan's four remaining mediaeval wooden castles and are each around 400 years old. Genkyu-en Garden (玄宮園). Hikone's number two attraction is the garden at the foot of the castle. The park contains a sprawling villa built in the Chinese Tang Dynasty style in 1677 for Naooki Ii, the fourth lord of Hikone. The best thing to do here is to pause at the teahouse for a cup of matcha (ceremonial green tea), a Japanese sweet and some quiet contemplation for ¥500. Later when we arrived at Gujo Hachiman (郡上八幡)you can expect to be immersed in an authentic small town Japanese experience that is unique to an "off the beaten path" town. Where the traditional way of living is on a very human scale and where people passing each other in the street still greet each other with a small bow. Gujo Hachiman offers visitors a rare opportunity to see, and be part of, a traditional way of life that has changed little over many years. We will arrive our hotel at Takayama (高山), the area's isolation has allowed historical Edo period (1600-1868) streets lined with tiny shops, museums and eating places to survive to this day.
Hotel: Hida Hotel, Takayam or similar (5)

Day 14(Fri) - Jinya Morning Market / Old Town / Shirakawago / Praying Village (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: This morning we will visit the Takayama's Jinya Morning Market (陣屋朝市), where most stands sell local crafts and farm products such as vegetables, pickles and flowers. We will proceed to the Old Town (古町) to see the historical streets of the area. We then travel to Shirakawago (白川郷) , a small village that is world heritage listed. It is located in the mountains beside a prestine river. You will see the thatched roofed village by foot nad local traditional Japanese ricepaper workshop. It is also where the Praying Village (合掌村) is located. These villages are famous for traditional home-zukuri gassho. Model-zukuri Gassho house, or “construction praying hands” is characterized by a sloping roof form and symbolizes the hands of people who are praying. The design of this house are very strong and has a unique roof materials that maintain the robustness of the building because this village will be covered with a very thick snow in winter. Home village of Shirakawa-go is very large, with 3 to 4 levels below the roof is very low, so a place big enough for one family.A traditional home in Shirakawa-go called Gassho-zukuri. Tonight we will stay at the hot spring hotel at the breathtaking location of Sho River & Gokayama  for a relaxing Onsen.
Hotel: Tonami Royal Hotel or similar (5)

Day 15(Sat) - Tateyama Korobe Gorge (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, we will depart for one of the most amazing natural landscape in Japan, Tateyama Korobe Gorge (立山黒部峡谷). The steep cliffs of Kurobe Gorge beckons nature lovers to enjoy its breathtaking scenery. This once isolated region now offers a variety of thrilling sights for adventure seekers. An exciting 80 minute train ride between Unazuki Hot Spring and Keyakidaira pierces 41 tunnels and spans 21 bridges. Atobikibashi Bridge with an awesome 60 meter drop, is also worth visiting. The gorge is noted for its unexplored hot springs, but Unazuki Onsen, at the start of the train trip, offers the finest thermal waters in Toyama Prefecture. Tonight we will stay at the Ryokan style hotel for the experience of traditional Japanese hospitalities. The hotel also has good quality hot spa / hot spring for your onsen.
Hotel: Kimiyoshi Hotel, Tateyama or similar (4)

Day 16(Sun) - Mt Fuji / Osinohakkai / Kwaguchiko / Hakone / Asinoko Cruise / Owakutan  / Tokyo (B/L/D)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, we will travel to Hakone, to have the panoromic view of the ultimate Japan symbol - Mt.Fuji (富士山). Hakone (箱根) has been famous for hot spring since 1590. Ashinoko's Pirate-ship cruise (芦ノ湖遊船) is famous for visitors to tour around the lake area. Kwagutiko (河口湖) will be visited.  After 90 minutes drive, we will arrive Tokyo city, where the Tokyo Town Hall & Meji Shrine will be visited. Then enjoy a Sumida River cruise, a forty minute boat ride from Hinode Pier on TokyoBay to Asakusa. The river was the most important waterway for the development of Tokyo.VisitAsakusa KannonTemple and Nakamise Shopping Street. There are 400 cherry blossom trees planted on both sides of  the river. Late in the afternoon we will visit the famous Bay of Tokyo – Odaiba. Among the attractions of Odaiba are several shopping and entertainment centers, theme parks, museums and the futuristic architecture and city planning. Some of the interesting sightseeing around Odaiba are: Fuji TV Building, DecksTokyoBeach, AquaCity, Musuem of Maritime Science, National Musuem of Innovation, telecom Centre, Oedo Onsen Monogatari (hot spring theme park), PaletteTown, Venus Fort, Mega Web, Ferris Wheel, Panasonic Centre, Tokyo Big Sight, OdaibaKahihinPark near RainbowBridge. 

Hotel: Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa (5)

Day 17(Mon) - Tokyo / via Taipei back to Australia (B)
NOV 2012: After breakfast, you will have leisure time to explore the vibrant city of Tokyo. Tokyo is a shopholic's heaven. You can find all kinds of Japanese things at one shopping district. You can catch the Yamanote Line to many parts of the city, e,g. Akihabara (electrical, computers, cameras), Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinjuku for shopping.  About 2:00PM in the afternoon, you will be transferred to the Narita Airport for flight (CI106 16:25) back to Australia via Taipei. 

Day 18(Tue) - Arrive Sydney, Australia
NOV 2012: The flight will arrive Sydney approximately at 11AM.


Images of Our Hotels on Tour:  
 

Maison De Chine Hotel, Chiayi	Garden Villa Hotel, Kaohsiung
Naruwan Hotel, Taitung	China Trust Hotel, Hualien
Howard Plaza Hotel, Taipei	China Airlines
Rihga Royal Hotel, Osaka Japan	Hiroshima Prince Hotel, Hiroshima
Hida Hotel Plaza, Takayama	Tonami Roral Hotel, Tonama
Kimiyoshi Hotel,	TateyamaKurobe Gorge
Otsu Prince Hotel, Kyoto	Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo