Best of Taiwan (11 days)

Taipei – Tainan – Alishan – Sun Moon Lake – Taichung – Taipei

Taiwan is a fascinating blend of Chinese traditions, Indigenous cultures and modern influences, shaped by centuries of migration and a complex history. Beyond the bustling capital of Taipei lie historic towns, forested mountains, scenic lakes and some of Asia’s finest food.

Our 11-day Best of Taiwan tour offers a well-rounded introduction to the island, combining major cultural and historical attractions with the natural beauty of Alishan and Sun Moon Lake.

Important Features

• Expert guides.
• Luxury accommodations.
• Gourmet food featuring both local and Western cuisines.
• All applicable taxes and surcharges.
• No forced shopping stops.

Best of Taiwan Tour Itinerary

Meal Code: B = breakfast / L = lunch / D = dinner

Day 1: Departing for Taipei
Fly to Taipei from a city of your choice. International airfare is not included in the tour price. You will lose a calendar day when crossing the International Date Line. Contact us for a competitive airfare quote if needed.

Day 2: Arrival in Taipei
Upon arrival, make your own way to the hotel by airport bus or a combination of airport express train and taxi. Detailed transfer instructions will be provided in your final tour documents.

Day 3: Taipei (B/L/D)
Taipei is the capital of the Republic of China (ROC), commonly known as Taiwan, which should not be confused with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the Chinese mainland. With a population of approximately 2.5 million, Taipei is Taiwan’s political, economic and cultural centre.

Our morning walking tour begins at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, followed by the Presidential Office Building, 228 Peace Memorial Park and Taipei Botanical Garden. Be prepared to walk 3–4 kilometres this morning.

In the afternoon, we visit the National Palace Museum, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Chinese art and historical artefacts. Many of its treasures originated in Beijing’s Forbidden City and were relocated to Taiwan in the late 1940s by the Nationalist government near the end of the Chinese Civil War.

After dinner, we visit Taipei 101, the 508-metre skyscraper that has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

Day 4: Taipei (B)
We begin the day with a visit to Dalongdong Bao’an Temple, a historic Taoist temple dedicated primarily to Baosheng Dadi, the God of Medicine. The temple is also known for its elaborate woodcarvings, stone sculptures and traditional decorative arts. We then proceed to National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, dedicated to the founding father of the Republic of China.

We return to the hotel for a couple of hours of rest before heading out to one of Taipei’s popular night markets, where the main attraction is the extraordinary variety of street food. The market can be crowded, but visitors will find plenty of choices to suit different tastes.

Day 5: Taipei – Tainan (B/L)
After breakfast, we travel by high-speed train to Tainan, Taiwan’s former capital and one of its oldest cities. Tainan served as the island’s administrative centre under Qing rule from 1683 until 1887.

Our sightseeing programme includes Anping Old Street, Fort Zeelandia and Grand Matsu Temple.

Fort Zeelandia was built by the Dutch East India Company between 1624 and 1634 in what is now Tainan’s Anping District. Although much of the original fortress has disappeared, sections of its historic walls remain. The small museum on the grounds provides an informative account of the Dutch colonial period. The elevated observation structure was added during Japanese rule (1895–1945).

Day 6: Tainan – Alishan (B/L/D)
This morning, we visit Chihkan Tower and the Confucius Temple. Although Chihkan Tower looks unmistakably Chinese, it stands on the site of Fort Provintia, a Dutch outpost built in 1653. Portions of the original fort’s foundations and walls have survived and are protected as historic relics.

In the afternoon, we drive to Alishan, a mountain resort area famous for its forests, scenic railway and spectacular mountain scenery. The journey takes approximately three hours (160 km).

Day 7: Alishan (B/L)
Alishan is one of Taiwan’s most popular mountain destinations, known for its ancient cypress forests, scenic railway, spectacular sunrises and occasional seas of clouds. Situated at elevations exceeding 2,000 metres, the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area offers an extensive network of walking trails through some of Taiwan’s finest mountain scenery.

Our guided tour begins with a walk to Sisters’ Ponds, two small mountain ponds surrounded by towering trees. We then visit Shouzhen Temple, established in 1948 by local forestry workers seeking divine protection. Dedicated to Xuantian Shangdi, the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, it is the largest temple in the Alishan recreation area.

Our programme also includes a ride on the historic Alishan Forest Railway, built by the Japanese in the early 20th century to transport timber. The narrow-gauge railway climbs from Chiayi through several vegetation zones to the mountain resort area, using tunnels, bridges and sharp curves to negotiate the steep terrain. Today, it is one of Taiwan’s best-known railway attractions.

Day 8: Alishan – Sun Moon Lake (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we drive to Sun Moon Lake, a journey of approximately 2½ hours (105 km).

Situated at an elevation of 748 metres and surrounded by forested mountains, Sun Moon Lake is Taiwan’s largest natural lake and one of its most popular holiday destinations. The surrounding area is the traditional homeland of the Thao, one of Taiwan’s officially recognized Indigenous peoples.

Our afternoon programme includes a scenic cruise on the lake and a visit to Yuchi Township, known for its tea plantations and local agricultural products.

Day 9: Sun Moon Lake (B)
We begin the day with a visit to the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, a cultural theme park featuring recreated traditional dwellings of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples. Exhibits include traditional architecture, woodcarvings, handicrafts and weapons, offering visitors an introduction to the island’s Indigenous cultures and ways of life.

We then enjoy a scenic walk along one of the trails around Sun Moon Lake, taking in views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The remainder of the day is free for relaxation or independent exploration.

Day 10: Sun Moon Lake – Taichung – Taipei (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we drive approximately one hour to Taichung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, where we enjoy a brief sightseeing tour before boarding the high-speed train to Taipei. The train journey takes approximately one hour.

Upon arrival in Taipei, we transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free for relaxation or independent exploration.

Dinner is included this evening.

Day 11: Returning Home (B)
Your Taiwan tour comes to an end this morning. Make your own way to the airport by airport express train or airport bus. Detailed transfer instructions will be provided in the final tour documents sent approximately two weeks before departure.

Dates and Prices

* Land Only price does not include international airfare.
** Single supplement applies to travellers without a roommate.

Taiwan Tour – Questions & Answers

How physically demanding is this tour?

This tour requires a reasonable level of physical fitness. Participants should be comfortable walking up to 8 kilometres per day, sometimes on uneven ground or uphill. The programme includes walking tours in Taipei, forest trails in Alishan and lakeside paths at Sun Moon Lake. Comfortable walking shoes are essential.

What kind of hotels are used?

We use carefully selected luxury hotels in Taipei, Tainan and Sun Moon Lake. In Alishan, where accommodation choices are limited, we stay at the best available hotel. All rooms have private bathrooms.

What meals are included?

Daily breakfast and selected lunches and dinners are included, as indicated in the itinerary. Meals feature Taiwanese regional specialties as well as other cuisines. Guests are free to explore local restaurants and street food during designated leisure periods.

What is the best time to visit Taiwan?

Spring (March–April) and autumn (October–November) generally offer the most pleasant weather. Summers are hot and humid, with the possibility of typhoons. Winters are relatively mild in Taipei and Tainan, but temperatures can drop considerably in the mountains.

What should I pack?

Bring comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing, a rain jacket and a warm layer for Alishan, where temperatures can be much cooler than at sea level. An umbrella and sun protection are also useful.

What is the transportation like?

Unless noted otherwise in the itinerary, we use comfortable private vehicles for road transfers and sightseeing, along with Taiwan’s modern high-speed railway for longer journeys. Guests must be able to handle their own luggage at railway stations and hotels when assistance is unavailable.

Can I drink tap water in Taiwan?

Tap water should generally be boiled or filtered before drinking. Bottled water is readily available. Food hygiene standards are generally good, although normal precautions are advisable when sampling street food.

What currency is used in Taiwan?

The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, department stores and larger restaurants, but cash is useful for night markets, small shops and local eateries.

Do I need a visa to visit Taiwan?

Canadian, American, British, Australian and New Zealand passport holders generally qualify for visa-free visits of up to 90 days. Other nationalities should check the requirements applicable to their passports.

What are the passport requirements?

Most visa-exempt visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Travellers must also have a confirmed onward or return ticket. Certain nationalities have different passport-validity rules.

Are vaccinations required?

No special vaccinations are generally required for travellers arriving directly from Canada or the United States. Consult your healthcare provider about routine vaccinations and any personal health concerns before departure.

Is travel insurance necessary?

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended, including emergency medical coverage, evacuation, trip cancellation and interruption. Medical expenses incurred abroad can be substantial, even in destinations with excellent healthcare facilities.

Taiwan Tour Testimonials

Used Laurus for a Chinese High Speed Train tour in 2017, which was fantastic. So, when we decided to go to Taiwan, we looked to see what they offered. Their tour did not meet our dates/needs, so we opted for a private tour. They were fantastic in assisting us in developing a personal tour that thoroughly met our needs – even a last-minute request! Guides and driver were great. Taiwan is wonderful, beautiful and friendly country.

Mary Lynn P.
USA

I recently went on the Laurus Travel Taiwan 9 day tour. It was fantastic! I am 56, and was looking for a way to show my 79 year old mother Taiwan without me having to navigate all of the details – especially transportation. I was so grateful for their flexibility ahead of time, helping me to customize the end of the trip so we could stay on to visit my daughter living in Tainan.

We had a small group (just 4 of us!) – two other active adults. I didn’t feel it was an “old person’s tour” at all, which I was nervous about. The itinerary was great – Taipei, Tainan, Alishan National Park, and Sun Moon Lake. Loved all of these places. I did give feedback that Tainan deserved more time – it’s the ancient capital, and the food capital of Taiwan! The hotels were amazing – the one on Sun Moon Lake is a once in a lifetime experience! Our guide Paul and our driver Milton were prompt, friendly, and made our trip very memorable. And they made sure that my mom had options at all places if she felt she needed a rest, couldn’t do stairs, etc. Overall fantastic!!!

Teri S.
Portland, Oregon

See original review on Google

Great tour of Taiwan
Mar 2025 • Solo

An excellent tour of Taiwan, that covered all the highlights. We had a guide and driver with us for the entire trip (there were four of us on the tour), other than a half-day we travelled by train from Taiching to Taipei.

Places visited included Taipei, Tainan, Alishan, Sun Moon Lake, and Taichung. Taroko Gorge was originally on the itinerary but have to be dropped due to earthquake damage in the area.

Hotels were uniformly excellent. The choice of restaurants was very good; food was delicious, restaurants were varied in cuisine and specialties, and I think the restaurant choices gave us a good overall introduction to Taiwanese cuisine.

I feel that this gave me a great introduction to Taiwan, and I would definitely use Laurus Travel if I were to return to Taiwan. They also do private and customized tours, so if I were to return, I could explore some new places, and return to some favourite places.

Loren S.
Calgary, Alberta

See original review on TripAdvisor

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