A Taste of Taiwan by Train
9 Days Starting and ending in Taipei City, Taiwan
Visiting: Taipei City, Taichung City, Kaohsiung City, Hualien City
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TWN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
25-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This island nation off China’s east coast is a little paradise waiting to be discovered, from its modern Asian metropolises to stunning coastlines, luscious forests and epic mountain peaks. Taiwan boasts a rich cultural heritage, blending indigenous cultures with Chinese and Japanese influences, much like the country’s incredible food scene, which extends itself to bustling street food markets and authentic local restaurants. Our loop trip highlights the lot, starting and ending in the capital, Taipei. You’ll visit Sun Moon Lake and Taroko Gorge, explore the diverse cities of Tainan, Taichung, Kaohsiung and Hualien, as well as embarking on an unforgettable range of cultural, culinary and adventurous activities, from releasing lanterns to cooking classes and lakeside cycles. Not bad for just one island, right?
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Taiwan!
Location: Taipei City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: FX Hotel Taipei
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your way to the hotel on arrival in Taipei, where you can check-in and make yourself comfortable. The group will gather early in the evening for a welcome meeting with our Local Insider – your expert guide for the trip – and dinner at an authentic local restaurant.
Activities Included:
Welcome dinner
Day 2 : Tour Taipei And Take The Train To Taichung
Location: Taichung City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park City Hotel (T)
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your first morning starts with a guided tour of the capital, Taipei. Our Local Insider will take you to see the Office of the President, the guard changing ceremony at CKS Memorial Hall and Lungshan Temple. There’ll be time to grab lunch at one of the variety of food court options in Taipei Main Station before we embark on our first train journey, to Taichung City. High-speed rail means we’ll barely travel an hour before reaching our destination and heading straight out on a tour of the city’s finest sights, including Rainbow Village and National Taichung Theatre. This evening we’ll visit Fengjia Night Market, one of Taiwan’s most famous markets, to experience the hustle and bustle of Taiwanese street food culture, and tuck into some delicious local delicacies.
Activities Included:
Taipei City tour
Taichung City tour
Fengjia Night Market visit
Day 3 : Cycle, Sip Tea And Visit A Temple At Sun Moon Lake
Location: Taichung City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park City Hotel (T)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll start the day right with a stunning two-hour cycle around Sun Moon Lake – a vast body of gorgeous turquoise water surrounded by forested mountain peaks, and Taiwan’s only large natural lake. At the end of our cycle we’ll visit Xiangshan Visitor Center, a strikingly unique building that homes a delightful cafe with views over the lake. After lunch at a local restaurant we’ll head out onto the waters with a gentle hour-long cruise, followed by a visit to the hilltop Wenwu Temple, which offers a higher vantage point over the lake. The area is famous for black tea, and we’ll visit Ho Ho Cha Tea factory to experience a hand-rolling and tasting session. Having seen the lake from pretty much every angle possible, and indulged in various local delights, we’ll return to Taichung for dinner and an evening at your leisure.
Activities Included:
Sun Moon Lake cycle
Lunch
Sun Moon Lake boat cruise
Wenwu Temple visit
Ho Ho Cha Tea Factory tasting
Dinner
Day 4 : Work Up An Appetite In Taiwan’S Culinary Capital
Location: Kaohsiung City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: FX Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Our next stop is Tainan, known by people in Taiwan as the country’s culinary capital, with an especially rich seafood culture. You can ask our Local Insider about the must-try dishes on the train, but we’ll keep your stomach waiting as we first visit the 350 year-old Confucius Temple. Then it’s off to a famous local restaurant to finally experience traditional Tainan cuisine. Our tour of the city continues after lunch, with stops at various historical sites like Chikan Tower, Anping Fort and Anping Old Street, as well as a chance for some retail therapy at Hayashi Department Store. Early evening we’ll jump back on the bus for an hour-long trip to Kaohsiung, where you’ll check-in to the hotel and have a night at your own leisure.
Activities Included:
Confucius Temple visit
Traditional Tainan lunch
Tainan City tour
Day 5 : Unique Temples, Vibrant Artworks And A Cityside Nature Park In Kaohsiung
Location: Kaohsiung City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: FX Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The modern maritime metropolis of Kaohsiung City is our playground for the day. We’ll start by visiting the city’s most iconic spots, including Dragon and Tiger Pagodas – a striking two-tower temple, one entrance guarded by a giant tiger statue and the other by a fiery dragon – Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum and Pier-2 Art Center, a vibrant cultural artspace, teeming with amazing works of street art. In the afternoon we’ll stop at a souvenir shop for tea and snacks before being transferred to Shoushan National Nature Park, a verdant greenspace with the best views imaginable over Kaohsiung skyline. Finally we’ll return to the city to check out Formosa Boulevard Station’s famous ‘Dome of Light’ – one of the world’s largest glass artworks – before heading out for a group dinner and spending the rest of the night at your own speed.
Activities Included:
Kaohsiung City tour
Shoushan National Nature Park visit
Formosa Boulevard Station visit
Dinner
Day 6 : Mountains And Beaches
Location: Hualien City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Park City Hotel (H)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
It’s an early start this morning as we board the express train to Hualien City – equipped with breakfast-to-go from the hotel – for the longest journey of our trip (around four hours). Luckily, the route is an incredibly beautiful one, and watching the mountains and ocean views of the East Coast National Scenic Area fly past the window is an experience in and of itself – the joys of train travel! After arrival we'll head to an area where the mountain peaks meet the calm coastline near Taroko Gorge. While the gorge remains closed due to the recent 2024 earthquake, we'll explore the Qixingtan region, famous for its lake, ocean and mountain views. You can choose to cycle through the natural scenery or relax at one of the cafes and enjoy an ice cream by the sea. We’ll have dinner back in Hualien and check-in to our hotel for the evening.
Included Activities:
Visit to Qixingtan
Optional Activities:
Lake/Ocean Cycling
Day 7 : Mountain Towns, Street Food Delights And An Unforgettable Lantern Experience
Location: Taipei City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: FX Hotel Taipei
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning we’ll go on one final scenic train ride, this time back towards the capital, but hopping off in Jiufen, an incredibly picturesque mountainside town just east of Taipei. Narrow old streets are packed with teahouses and street food shacks, not to mention the gorgeous old Shengping Theater. We’ll have lunch with stunning mountain views over the northeastern coast, before heading to Shifen Waterfall and Shifen Old Street, where we’ll experience the releasing of sky lanterns – a famous tradition in this part of the country. We’ll end up back in Taipei City, heading to the 101 Building for a photo opp at Taiwan’s tallest building, before spending the evening at Raohe Night Market – a haven for street food lovers.
Activities Included:
Scenic lunch
Jiufen & Shifen tour
Shifen Old Street Sky Lantern Experience
Taipei 101 Building photo stop
Evening at Raohe Night Market
Day 8 : A Taiwanese Cooking Masterclass To Round Off The Trip
Location: Taipei City
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: FX Hotel Taipei
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our last full day is all about enjoying Taipei at a relaxed pace, starting at a local cooking school, where you’ll master the art of Taiwanese cuisine and leave with a recipe or two for the road. In the afternoon we’ll visit The Grand Hotel, a magnificent red-column masterpiece and an amazing example of grand Chinese architecture. Nearby is the Martyrs' Shrine, where we’ll head to watch the changing of the guards ceremony, before popping by the National Palace Museum. We’ll round up the day with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, where the group can reminisce on an unforgettable Taiwanese experience.
Activities Included:
Taiwanese cooking experience & lunch
The Grand Hotel visit
Guard changing ceremony at Martyrs' Shrine
National Palace Museum visit
Farewell dinner
Day 9 : Until Next Time, Taiwan!
Location: Taipei City
Meals Included: Breakfast
After one last breakfast at the hotel it’s time to say goodbye! After check-out you can either head straight to the airport, spend more time exploring Taipei, or continue the adventure somewhere else!
What's Included
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Local Insider
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Accommodation
8 nights accommodation
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Private and Local Transport
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Train Tickets
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Taipei City tour
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Taichung City tour
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Fengjia Night Market visit
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Sun Moon Lake cycle
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Sun Moon Lake boat cruise
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Wenwu Temple visit
What's Not Included
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International flights
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Visas (if required)
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Optional activities
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Insurance
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Resort Taxes (Where applicable)
Accommodation
FX Hotel
This impressive hotel in the heart of Taipei’s business district, is tastefully decorated with plush accents, Baroque interiors and all of the modern features you’d expect in a trendy hotel. There is a restaurant, fitness center and outdoor event space and the hotel is near both the train station and Liaoning Night markets.
Park City Hotel (T)
This metropolitan hotel in the city centre of Taichung is within walking distance of the train station. Rooms are bright, spacious and colourful, shared spaces are open and modern, and breakfast is served in a charming Cantonese restaurant. You’ll also have full access to a well-equipped fitness centre.
FX Inn
In Kaohsiung you’ll be staying in the Qianjin District, at this fashion-inspired hotel. Rooms are brimming with personality, designed in different themes and each popping in colour. The trendy Kitchen X restaurant can be found on the top floor, and it’s in these youthful surroundings that you’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast. There’s also The Caffeine on the first floor, which offers coffee, cakes and light meals throughout the day.
Park City Hotel (H)
Our second Park City Hotel stay will be in Hualien City, and this branch places equal importance on creating a cosy, natural space for visitors to relax in the heart of the city. The beds are super comfy, and the room design is calming, with a lovely flow of sunlights coming in through the windows. Breakfast can be enjoyed either in the Park Cafe & Lounge or in Delicacy Restaurant, while downtime can be spent mastering your game skills in the Chess Room.
Please note that, while unlikely, the accommodation indicated may be subject to change (see T&C’s). On a rare occasion, alternative arrangements may be necessary – this may be due to a lack of availability at our preferred accommodation, or other reasons outside our control. We’ll do everything we can to prevent this from happening; however, in cases where it is unavoidable, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of luggage should I bring?
It depends on the type of trip you have booked, but we usually recommend a soft sided bag or case as they are easier to handle on a trip.
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What visas do I need?
Depending on your passport and your destination, you may need a visa to travel on one of our trips. It is up to you to ensure you have any and all necessary visas before you travel. We recommend you check with a specialist visa agency at least 6 weeks before you travel.
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Is there any age limit on the Trips?
You must be 25 or over to travel on our trips, however there is no upper age limit. You just need a sense of adventure.
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Will there always be a guide on the trip?
Absolutely yes. We pride ourselves on our expert Local Insiders - they are an integral part of what makes our trips so special. Your Local Insider will accompany you throughout the trip and is there to help and assist in any way possible as well as ensure everything works to time.
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When will I know if my trip is guaranteed?
We usually wait until we have a few travellers booked on a trip before we guarantee it will run. The latest we will guarantee a trip is 60 days ahead of departure, often it will be long before.
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Are flights / transport to the destination included?
No - our travellers come from all over the world so flights and / or transport to the start destination are not included.
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Can I book extra nights accommodation before or after my trip?
Yes, call or email one of our Travel Experts who will be able to add accommodation to your booking.
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Can I travel in my own private group?
Yes you can. Our team of Travel Experts can put together a bespoke trip to suit all group sizes in most destinations around the world. Please contact us for more details.
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Do I need to buy travel insurance?
Yes - all travellers must have travel insurance before they join one of our trips. You are strongly advised to take out your policy at the time of booking to protect your holiday payments in the event of cancellation.
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How fit do I need to be to take one of your trips?
We offer a variety of different trips, most of which do not require a specific level of fitness. Some of our trips are more active, but we include details on each specific trip information page. If you are unsure please don’t hesitate to ask one of our Travel Experts.
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How much money should I bring?
This will depend on how long your trip is, your destination and how much you intend to spend on personal expenses and any meals that aren’t included. It is a good idea to check out the cost of a local lunch and dinner in your destination before you travel.
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What is the group size?
Our maximum group size is 16, although our average group size is 10-12 people. Group travel is a great way to meet other people, and you will have the safety of travelling with a group, but you can also decide how much time you want to spend by yourself.
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What happens if I am travelling on my own?
Most accommodations on our trips are reserved on a twin share basis. Therefore, if you are travelling on your own you will be sharing a room with another Culture Trip traveller of the same sex. However, most of the time it is possible to pay a supplement for your own room. Please ask your Travel Expert for more information.
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How many meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily and then depending on your itinerary, some lunches and dinners. This is clearly indicated in the trip details or ask your Travel Expert to confirm.
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What is not included in the trip?
We don’t include the following in our trips: insurance (however you must have insurance to travel on one of our trips), flights, tips for local guides, optional activities and other meals and services not mentioned in your itinerary.
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What happens if I need to amend or cancel my booking?
You can change the date of your tour up to 60 days prior to departure and cancel at any time, although cancellation conditions may apply.
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Do I need any vaccinations?
As a tour operator we are unable to give medical advice, however we suggest you contact your doctor, a professional medical travel clinic or check out the World Health Organisation website for more details.
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Are airport transfers included?
Your arrival transfer from Taipei Airport (TPE) to your hotel is not included. If you would like to add a transfer onto your booking, you can contact our Travel Experts who will be able to assist. If you would prefer to make your own way to the hotel, taxis are available at the airport. The hotel is located 45 kms (30 miles) from the airport and the journey takes approximately 40 minutes. Your departure airport transfer from Taipei to Taipei airport is not included. If you would like to add a departure transfer onto your booking, you can contact our Travel Experts who will be able to assist. If you would prefer to make your own way back to the airport, your Local Insider or the hotel reception will be able to arrange a taxi for you.
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Why should I travel with Culture Trip?
We know the world's best bits – our award-winning content proves it. Now we’re using that expertise to bring you curated trips that combine thoughtful planning with authentic experiences and hand-picked accommodation. Led by Local Insiders, our trips bring together small groups of curious travellers who embrace the value of shared experiences, cultural immersion and travel that never feels rushed.
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What kind of transport do you use on your trips?
We use a mix of public and private transport on our trips, but usually a small and comfortable minibus, so we can access more remote destinations that larger groups can’t get to.
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Do I need to tip?
Tips are not included in the price of your trip but are entirely optional and at your discretion.
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I booked but cannot travel anymore. What are the amendments and cancellation options?
We understand plans can change and that’s why we offer flexible booking conditions. You can change or cancel your booking at any time up to 56 days prior to departure and receive a full refund of any funds you have already paid towards your trip.
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Do I have to make full payment at the time of booking?
You do not have to make full payment at the time of booking. We only require a small, fully refundable deposit of $100 to secure your spot on the trip. Full payment is due at the latest 56 days prior to departure.
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Do I have to take part in all the activities? Will there be free time on my trip?
The amount of free time varies per trip. Please enquire with our travel experts to get a proper understanding on the amount of free time on the trips you are interested in. You do not have to take part in all activities but we strongly encourage you to do so! We have carefully crafted each trip to show you the best of every destination, so you’d be missing out! Also taking part in activities is a great way to get to know your travel companions and make new friends. Nothing like a positive and supportive group environment to venture outside of your comfort zone and surprise yourself!
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What is a Local Insider?
We believe there’s no better way to discover a new place and a new culture than by experiencing it through the eyes and experience of a local. That’s why we only work with local guides - whom we name our Local Insiders. They know their region inside out and have a passion for sharing it with travellers. All our Local Insiders have years of experience guiding and speak English. Importantly, they like to travel the way we like it too: away from crowds, tourist traps and queues. Focussing on the true essence of a destination, teaching you all about the local culture and profusely sharing local hidden gems and insights.
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Free Date Changes
Culture Trip allows you to make 5 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 55 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Culture Trip allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform culture trip, 55 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Culture Trip requires a minimum deposit of 300 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 55 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of culture trip charges.
Up to 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 54 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.