Magnificent Taiwan

Magnificent Taiwan Overview

Magnificent Taiwan Tour In this exciting round island tour of Taiwan, you will visit the shrines, temples, and pagodas, drive through the towering marble cliffs of the magnificent Taroko Gorge and experience the hospitality and courtesy of the Taiwanese people.

Day 1: Taipei to Sun Moon Lake

Meet at your hotel lobby in Taipei City and depart by vehicle to Sun Moon Lake, located in the middle of Taiwan and situated 762 metres above sea level in the lofty mountains of Central Taiwan. Your tour will stop at the famous Wenwu Temple, also known as Literature-Warrior Temple, dedicated to Confucius as Master of Pen and to Kuan Ti as Master of Sword, Holy Monk Shrine, and Ci En Pagoda. After touring around Sun Moon Lake, check into your hotel. Enjoy a dip in the natural hot springs, biking, hiking or boating at the lake. Overnight.

Overnight in Sun Moon Lake

Distance and journey times:

Taipei to Taichung: 165 km, approx 2 hrs

Taichung to Sun Moon Lake: approx 64 km, 1 hr

Day 2: Sun Moon Lake to Fo Guang Shan and Kaohsiung

Drive to Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery, the most famous Buddhist sacred place of southern Taiwan. Here you will learn about Buddhism during the monastery walking tour to visit “Buddha Memorial Centre” and communicate with some of the monks and nuns during the visit. Drive to Kaohsiung City, the second largest city in Taiwan. The tour will take you to Love River and Liuhe Night Market.

Overnight in Kaohsiung.

Distance and journey times:

Sun Moon Lake to Fo Guang Shan: 166 km, approx 3 hrs

Fo Guang Shan to Kaohsiung: 52 km, approx 1.20 hrs

Day 3: Kaohsiung to Kenting and Chihpen Hot Springs

Morning depart for a tour of Kenting National Park, located at Taiwan’s southern tip and the 37 miles of coral-rimmed shoreline along three sides of the park provide its main attractions. Stops will be made at Oluanpi lighthouse, Maopitou coastal scenic area, and Longpan Park. Drive to Taitung via Southern Link Highway for an overnight stay at Chihpen. Enjoy the natural hot springs here.

Overnight in Chihpen

Distance and journey times:

Kaohsiung to Kenting: 104 km, approx 2 hrs

Kenting to Chihpen: 119 km, approx 2.40 hrs

Day 4: Taitung via East Coast scenic area to Hualien

After breakfast, depart for a scenic drive along the East Coast National Scenic Area. Known as "Taiwan's last unspoiled land", it stretches 170 kilometres down the east coast of the island. Weather and erosion have produced a wide range of landforms here. Our tour will stop at Siaoyeliu, Sansientai, Shitiping (Stone Steps). Late afternoon, proceed to Hualien. for an overnight stay at Taroko National Park.

Overnight in Hualien.

Distance and journey time: 172 km, approx 3.30 to 4 hrs

Day 5: Taroko Gorge sightseeing / return to Taipei

After breakfast, we will make a visit to Taroko National Park. Taroko Gorge is an exceptionally beautiful, narrow ravine created by the Liwu River which has cut deep into the mountains of solid marble. A road carved into sheer walls of rock rewinding its way past forested peaks and cliffs towering thousands of feet above it, while hundreds of feet below a river roar past gigantic marble boulders. Passing by Tunnel of Nine Turns, Ci Mu Bridge, stops will be made at Swallow Grotto, and Changchun Temple (Eternal Spring Shrine). We will then drive back to Taipei with a stop at Cingshui Cliff to arrive at around 6 PM.

We suggest extending your stay to Yang Ming Shan or add in a visit the North Coast.

Distance and journey time: 169 km, approx 3.30 hrs