Today we will arrive in Taipei and come to the hotel individually. We will meet our tour leader in the late afternoon in the hotel lobby for a briefing and welcome dinner. (D)

Today will be one of the highlights of our trip as we attend the Lantern Festival, or as it is called in Chinese, the Shang-Yuan-Jie. On our day trip to Pingxi we'll first pause at the hillside villages of Chiufen. Both the village of Chiufen and the neighbouring township of Jinguashi in Taipei County were once gold mining centres. These quaint old villages of closely packed houses cling to steep mountainsides, offering enchanting scenery and fascinating glimpses into past lifestyles. In the afternoon, we continue to Pingxi where we'll attend the Lantern Festival, in a small township nestled among the mountains, an hour's drive from Taipei. We will witness thousands of sky lanterns with wishes written on them released together into the night sky on the first full moon of the Chinese New Year. The spectacular Lantern Festival is truly a joy to behold. (B,L)      

We will embark on a full-day tour of Taipei. We will start our exploration with a visit to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a significant landmark which was built in 1980 to commemorate former Taiwan President Chiang Kai-shek. Next, we visit the National Palace Museum, which is home to the world's largest and finest collection of Chinese art, spanning 5,000 years of Chinese history. If time allows, we will also visit contemporary Chinese art master Chang Dai-ch'ien’s Memorial Residence. After lunch, marvel at the modern architecture of Taipei 101 (excluding observatory deck access) before indulging in the culinary delights at Raohe Night Market and paying a visit to the nearby Tsiyao Temple.   (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we'll make our way to Hualien, via Yilan. We'll stop to visit Yilan National Centre for Traditional Arts, located beside the beautiful Dongshan River. The centre offers organized displays of art and performances of culture and art. Our next stop is at Langyan Museum, an exhibition space designed to showcase the unique topography of Yilan, including the Lanyang Mountains, the plains, and the ocean. We continue on via the impressive Qingshui cliff before arriving at our accommodation in time for dinner. Note: The visit and stay at Taroko Gorge has been removed for 2024/25 as the park was severly impacted during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in April 2024 and most of its infratrucure has been compromised. (B,L,D)

In the morning we depart Hualien and travel to Chihpen via the coastal way. We'll make a few stops along the way to appreciate the local scenic beauty. We'll pause at Sansientai, a headland facing a small island in the sea. The three huge rocks that make up the island's most prominent feature have given rise to a local legend that three of China's Eight Immortals once landed there; hence the name of the island, which means "terrace of the three immortals." The island was once connected to the headland by a neck of land which has been eroded away; it is now connected by a red, scalloped footbridge, and the island has a network of footpaths for viewing its geological features such as potholes and sea-eroded caves and trenches, as well as rare coastal vegetation. Another stop along the way will be at Baxian Cave, located in the north of Hua Tung Mountain by the coast of Changbin Township. "Baxian" (eight deities) are famous Chinese deities. Fogs drift perpetually around the caves and the interior is damp and misty. We arrive late afternoon in Chihpen and have some time to enjoy the hot springs and rest before dinner at the hotel. (B,D)  

After breakfast, we will head for Kaohsiung, which is Taiwan's second largest city and the largest industrial harbour in Taiwan. It is also the second busiest port in Asia. We'll visit Cijing Island in the morning and explore Foguanshan in the late afternoon, home to the beautiful Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum. (B,D)    

Today we will drive to Tainan, which is the ancient imperial capital. We will see the Chihkan Tower, which is known originally as Fort Provintia, and we will also see the Fujian-style Koxinga Shrine.  We'll also visit Anping Castle and Anping Old Street, immersing ourselves in the rich history and culture of Taiwan's oldest city. (B,L,D)

Today we will travel to the beautiful resort of Sun Moon Lake. Its name derives from the shape of the lake--the northern part of the lake is in the shape of the sun, while the southern part resembles a crescent moon. En route we'll stop to visit National Palace Museum (South Branch) before reaching our accommodation. Tonight we will stay at the one of the top 50 resorts in the world: the tranquil Lalu Resort. It was designed by award-winning Australian architect Kerry Hill. The hotel, which overlooks Taiwan's largest lake and features an impressive mountain backdrop, was the place where Chiang Kai-shek entertained his overseas dignitaries. The guest house was painstakingly relocated, brick by brick, into the Garden of Lalu and is now a museum commemorating Chiang Kai-Shek’s era. (B,D)

Today we'll visit the Assam Tea Factory and the Holy Monk Shrine, dedicated to Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who led an epic journey from China to India in 629. He returned 16 years later with hundreds of scriptures and scrolls, and had a profound influence on the spread of Buddhism throughout China. There's also some time for rest and later in the afternoon we will take a private motorboat ride around Sun Moon Lake. We'll also visit Wenwu Temple and the vibrant Idashao market.   (B,D)

After breakfast, we will continue our journey to Taipei. On the way, we will stop at Ci Lake, with its clear waters mirroring lush greenery we can enjoy a peaceful stroll along winding paths and be immersed in the tranquility of the surrounding area. We continue on to Taoyuan Lantern Festival, a radiant celebration of culture and tradition that illuminates the night with colourful lantern displays depicting folklore and heritage. Amidst the luminous ambiance, we can indulge in street food delights, view traditional performances and engage in interactive activities. After the festival we travel to our hotel in Taipei where we enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. (B,L,D)

Our tour concludes after breakfast at the hotel (B)