Round Island Tour of Taiwan

Round Island Tour of Taiwan Overview

This adventure takes you from bustling Taipei to some of the most spectacular scenery on the stunning East Coast. You’ll experience Taiwanese history and culture, visit the minority indigenous tribes of Sun Moon Lake, walk through historic Lukang, join in the morning prayers with the monks of Foguangshan and perhaps enjoy a dip in the hot springs

Round Island Tour of Taiwan

This adventure takes you from bustling Taipei to some of the most spectacular scenery on the stunning East Coast. You’ll experience Taiwanese history and culture, visit the minority indigenous tribes of Sun Moon Lake, walk through historic Lukang, join in the morning prayers with the monks of Foguangshan and perhaps enjoy a dip in the hot springs.

• Experience Taiwanese history and culture
• Walk through the small and winding streets of historic Lukang
• Take a private lake cruise to Lalu island
• Join the monks in morning prayers and a meditation session

Day 1 Arrival in Taipei

Arrive in Taipei - meet and greet at the airport for a transfer to your hotel.

This evening you'll have a Taipei night tour near the Lungshan temple area, one of the oldest areas of Taipei city. Lungshan temple has been a local landmark since its establishment in 1738. It is frequented by locals as well as international visitors for its vibrant atmosphere and lively night scene. Overnight in Taipei.

Day 2 Taipei sightseeing

Enjoy a Taipei city tour. Spend the whole morning in the world's finest Chinese art gallery, the National Palace Museum. The collection includes several thousand years of artifacts.

In the afternoon, visit the Martyr's Shrine for the famous Changing of the Guard and the Taiwan Democracy Memorial Hall before finally visiting Taipei 101, until recently the tallest building in the world.

Day 3 Taipei to Lukang and Sun Moon Lake

After breakfast, head down the highway to the historic town of Lukang. Lukang was Central Taiwan's most important port and second largest city from the mid-17th to the 18th century. Its small and winding streets still preserve the look and feel of southern Chinese architecture. Sites to be visited include the old street, the Tien Hou Kung Temple, the Lukang Lungshan Temple and the Lukang Folklore Museum. After Lukang, turn west to the mountains and beautiful Sun Moon Lake. Overnight in Sun Moon Lake.

Day 4 Sun Moon Lake

All rooms at the Lalu face the Lake, and you may want to wake up early this morning to appreciate the sunrise. Take your time and enjoy a refreshing breakfast by the lakeside. After breakfast take a private lake cruise directly from the hotel's pier and visit Lalu island and the Tzi-an Pagoda. Overnight in Sun Moon Lake.

Day 5 Sun Moon Lake to Tainan and Foguangshan

After breakfast head south to Tainan, the island's oldest city and its cultural capital. Upon arrival, tour the cultural riches of Tainan city, with relics from the Dutch and Qing colonial periods including the Koxinga's Shrine, Chikan Tower, Confucius Temple (one of the oldest in Taiwan) and the Guardian of War Temple area. Continue south to Foguangshan, one of the biggest Buddhist temples in East Asia whose name literally means light of Buddha. Overnight at the monastery.

Day 6 Foguangshan to Taitung

Wake up early in the morning to join the monastery's morning chant, followed by a short warm-up and a meditation session led by a monk or nun. After visiting the Buddhist museum and the monastery, head over the central mountain range to the hot spring resort town of Chihpen on the east coast. Overnight and enjoy the hotel's hot spring facilities.

Day 7 Taitung to Hualien

Proceed north up the east coast driving by some of the island's most striking and beautiful terrain, arriving in Taroko Gorge in the late afternoon. Stops will be made at the Tung He Bridge, Sansiantai, and the stone steps. Overnight in Hualien.

Day 8 Taroko Gorge sightseeing

Tour the amazing Taroko Gorge, a stunning, awe inspiring river gorge lined by sheer river-carved cliffs of marble. The visit includes stops at the Swallow Grottoes, the Marble Bridge, and the Eternal Spring Shrine. Leave for Taipei via the Hsuehshan (Snow Mountain) tunnel. Arrive in Taipei in the late afternoon. Overnight in Taipei.

Day 9 Taipei to Beitou

Travel to Taoyuan to visit the Chang Ken Memorial Hospital's traditional Chinese Clinic to experience the Chinese way of examination and treatment at the Chinese Medicine Spa. Head out to Yingge, the former ceramic centre of the island. Though mass production of ceramics long ago left the town, it remains an important ceramic art and retail centre. Since the opening of the pottery museum and the re-opening of the old street, Yingge has gained popularity among the locals and become a major destination for international visitors. Continue on to visit the nearby hamlet of Sanshia, location of the Tzu-Shi Temple, famous for its elaborate wooden dragon carvings. Overnight at the Maple Landis Hotel in Beitou, well known for its spas and hot springs.

Day 10 Departure