5-day Best Of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge, Kaohsiung, Taitung

Itinerary

Day 1: Taipei - Sun Moon Lake

Stop At: Sun Moon Lake, Zhongshan Rd., Yuchi Township, Yuchi 555 Taiwan
This morning 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. Divided by Lalu Island, the lake got its name from the unique terrains that look like sun on one side and crescent moon on the other side. The area around the lake is also the home to the Thao people, a group of Taiwanese aborigines.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Yidashao Pier, Yidashao, Riyue Vil., Yuchi Township, Yuchi Taiwan
Yidashao(Ita Thao), was named Te Hua village after the restoration of Taiwan. It has become the most populous area around the Sun Moon Lake. There are stores, restaurants, and hotels in the village. Also the thao people establishes the "Thao Cultural Village" for tourists to appreciate the traditional culture, songs, and dancing of the Thao Tribe.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Xuanzhuang Temple, No.389 Zhongzheng Road, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Yuchi Taiwan
Monk Xuanzang was the Holy Monk in the Tang dynasty. 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." If you prefer quiet atmosphere, Xuanzang temple is the best places for you.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ci'en Pagoda, Yuchi Township, Yuchi 555 Taiwan
Ci-en Pagoda was built by Chiang Kai-Shek in memory of his mother in 1971. The Ci-en Pagoda is 46 meters in height and has become the famous landmark of Sun Moon Lake. Surrounding the tower are beautiful plants and trees and there are stone tables and chairs for visitors to take a rest.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Wenwu Temple, No.63, Jhongshan Rd. Yuchih Township, Nantou City Taiwan
Wenwu Temple is located at the shoulder of mountain where is on the north of Sun Moon Lake. It was built in 1938.The temple is two (Longfeng Temple and Ihuatang) in one. It was rebuilt in 1969. Its gate is face to the north. People pray the Civil Saint of Confucius, the Military Saint of Guangong, and the Established God of two temples in the temple.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Fleur de Chine - Mountain View Room, Sun Moon Lake (5-star) or equivalent

Day 2: Sun Moon Lake－Fo Guang Shan－Kaohsiung

Stop At: Xiangshan Visitor Center, No.599, Jhongshan Rd., Yuchih Township, Yuchi Taiwan
After breakfast, you will enjoy a pleasant walk around Xiangshang Visitor Center, a unique building that allows people to enjoy the beautiful views of Sun Moon Lake from the top.

The Xiangshang Visitor Center is both for tourism and administration use. The uniquely designed building has wood-patterned exteriors and wings that stretch like human arms embracing the earth.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Fo Guang Shan, No.153, Xingtian Road, Dashu District, Dashu District, Kaohsiung 84049 Taiwan
Next, you will depart for Kaohsiung, the most populated city in South Taiwan, also a romantic harbor city.

Your first stop is Fo Guang Shan, a large monastery founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. The signature of the temple is the huge statue of Buddha Amitabha in gold color that can be seen from miles away.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Liuhe Tourist Night Market, Liuhe Rd, Qianjin Dist, Daliao, Kaohsiung 800 Taiwan
After the temple tour, you will move down the hill to the center of the city.

It’s time to fulfill your appetite with some local delicacies at Liuhe Night Market, the oldest and most typical night market in Kaohsiung. Here you have a chance to taste the city’s signature street foods like the seafood congee, steamed salted shrimps, papaya milk drink, rice cake, Stinky Tofu…
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Grand Hi Lai Hotel, Kaohsiung (5-star) or equivalent

Day 3: Kaohsiung－Kenting－Taitung

Stop At: Kenting National Park, No.596, Kenting Rd., Henchun Township, Hengchun Taiwan
After breakfast, you will head for the south of the border, also where Taiwan’s first national park is situated. Kenting National Park is well-known for its coastal geographical features and marine biodiversity due to crustal deformation and tropical climate. Kenting is also a paradise for surfers and divers.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Eluanbi, Eluan Road, Hengchun Township, Hengchun Taiwan
Eluanbi is also known as "Taiwan's Tail". Eluanpi Lighthouse was built during the Qing Dynasty. It was listed as one of the Eight Views of Taiwan during the period under Japanese rule. The area covered by the park is also one of the sites of Kending's prehistoric cultures.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Maobitou Park, No. 100, Xiaquan Road, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan 946
Maopitou (literally meaning cat’s nose), is a unique natural rock formation. From distance, it looks just like a giant crouching cat.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Longpan Park, Jia'e Highway, Hengchun Township, Hengchun Taiwan
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.
Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Hotel Royal Chihpen, Taitung (5-star) or equivalent

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

Stop At: East Coast National Scenic Area, Chenggong Township, Chenggong Township Taiwan
After a good night sleep and a rich breakfast, you will travel along the east coast, the last unspoiled place of the island. Wherever you go, there are picturesque places of natural and human features.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Xiaoyeliu, No. 500號, Section 1, Songjiang Road, Taitung City, Taitung County, Taiwan 950
Xiaoyehliu (Little Yehliu) offers a rich variety of fascinating rock formations similar to those found at Yehliu on Taiwan's North Shore. On clear days, you can easily see Green Island from the shore at Fugang Geopark.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Sanxiantai, Northeast of Chengdong Town, Chenggong Township Taiwan
Sanxiantai(literally meaning terrace of the three immortals) is composed of offshore islands and coral reefs. The most famous landmark is the cross-sea bridge, connects the mainland and the island.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Shitiping, Fengbin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan 977
The shoreline at Shitiping(literally meaning stone steps), which is situated at the 65-kilometer point on the coastal highway, was formed when volcanic rock worn smooth by sea erosion was uplifted in layers that resemble stone steps-which is just what the Shiti of the name means.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Fanshuliao, No. 18, Fangliaoken, Shuilian Vil., Shoufeng Township, Shoufeng Taiwan
Stop by Fanshuliao, a unique canyon also regarded as a small version of Taroko Gorge.
Duration: 15 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Silks Place Taroko - Garden View Room(5-star), Hualien or equivalent

Day 5: Hualien – Taroko – Taipei

Stop At: Taroko National Park, No.291, Fushi Fushi Vil., Xiulin 97253 Taiwan
After breakfast, you will visit the most spectacular place in Taiwan, also the largest marble canyon in the world – Taroko National Park.

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 geological characteristics.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Shakadang Trail, Taroko National Park, Fushi Village, Xiulin Township, Xiulin 972 Taiwan
You will take a walk along Shakadang Trail or Lushui Trail, where the crystal clear blue water of Liwu River is running beside you. This river has cut through the marble over millions of years, and created the deep, narrow gorge.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Eternal Spring Shrine, in Taroko National Park, Xiulin Taiwan
Next you will stop by Eternal Spring Shrine, which commemorates the 226 personnel (military veterans) who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. If the weather permits, we will take a walk through the tunnel below the shrine.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Yanzihkou Trail (Swallow Grotto), Xincheng Township Xiulin Township, Hualien City Taiwan
Before lunch, you will walk through the tunnel of Swallow Grotto, where you will enjoy a stunning view of the cliffs reaching up to the sky. 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 it got the name Swallow Grotto.
Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Cihmu Bridge, Xincheng Township, Xincheng Taiwan
After lunch, stroll around Tianxiang, where Cihmu Bridge (Motherly Devotion Bridge) is located, an H-Shape hanging bridge built of marble by late President Chiang Jing-guo, in memory of his mother.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Qingshui Cliff, Su-hua highway from Herping to Chungte, Xiulin 97253 Taiwan
After a breathtaking tour of Taroko Gorge, you will stop by Qingshui Cliff and admire the scenery of the cliffed coastline on the way back to Taipei.

Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.