Best of Taiwan 5 Days - Extension from Taipei Stopover

On the first morning of your Taiwan-round island tour you will depart from central Taipei and head for the heart of the island, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area.

Sun Moon Lake is the biggest freshwater lake in the island. Divided by Lalu Island, the lake got its name from the unique terrains that look like sun on one side and crescent moon on the other side. The area around the lake is also the home to the Thao people, a group of Taiwanese aborigines.

After lunch, tour around the lake by bus and visit the most well-known attractions in this area: Ita Thao Indigenous Village, Ci'en Pagoda, Xuanzang Temple and Wenwu Temple.

For the first night of your 5-day tour in Taiwan, you can enjoy a charming stay in a 5-star resort hotel.

After breakfast, your 5 days in Taiwan can resume by enjoying a pleasant walk around Xiangshang Visitor Center, a unique building that allows people to enjoy the beautiful views of Sun Moon Lake from the top.

After that, you will depart for Kaohsiung, the most populated city in South Taiwan, also a romantic harbor city. Your first stop is Fo Guang Shan, a large monastery founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. The signature of the temple is the huge statue of Buddha Amitabha in gold color that can be seen from miles away. 

After the monastery visit, move down the hill to the center of the city. It’s time to fulfill your appetite with some local delicacies at Liuhe Night Market, the oldest and most typical night market in Kaohsiung. Here you have a chance to taste the city’s signature street foods like the seafood congee, steamed salted shrimps, papaya milk drink, rice cake, Stinky Tofu.

Today you will stay overnight in a centrally located 5-star hotel with department store, convenient stores and drug store nearby. You can visit these stores to get extra supplies for your 5-day tour in Taiwan.

After breakfast, head for the south of the border, also where Taiwan’s first national park is situated. Kenting National Park is well-known for its coastal geographical features and marine biodiversity due to crustal deformation and tropical climate. Kenting is also a paradise for surfers and divers.

For the third day of your Taiwan-round island tour, you will stop at Maopitou, Chuanfan Rock, Eluanpi Park & light house and Longpan Park.

Maopitou (literally meaning cat’s nose), is a unique natural rock formation. From distance, it looks just like a giant crouching cat.

Chuanfan Rock (literally meaning sail), is another unique natural rock formation. It looks just like the sail of a ship or a portrait of US former president Richard Nixon.

Eluanpi Lighthouse was built during the Qing Dynasty. It was listed as one of the Eight Views of Taiwan during the period under Japanese rule.

Longpan Park is a coral limestone tableland eroded by rainwater. It keeps the original features of the landscape with wide grassland and faces the Pacific Ocean.

After that, head for Taitung via South-Link Highway, enjoy the scenery along the way. Tonight you will stay in a 5-star hot spring resort in Chihpen, Taitung. Chihpen is a hot spring sport that is famous for carbonate hot springs therapy. The hot spring water is effective for improving blood circulation and fatigue relief. 

After a good night’s sleep and a delectable breakfast, your 5-day tour in Taiwan continues as you journey along the east coast, known as the last unspoiled place of the island. Wherever you go, it never ceases to amaze you with its enchanting natural beauty. You’ll visit some of the most impressive scenic spots along the way, including Xiaoyeliu, Sanxiantai, Shitiping, and Fanshuliao, each boasting its own distinctive geological features.

The first stop is Xiaoyehliu (literally “Little Yehliu, or officially “Fugang Geopark”). This area is known for its natural rock formations, resembling those found in Yehliu Geopark on the northern coast of Taiwan, hence the name. Here, you can get up close to these unique landforms, shaped over time by weathering and sea erosion.

Your adventure continues with a visit to Sanxiantai (literally the terrace of the three immortals), which comprises an offshore island and coral reefs, with a cross-sea bridge that connects the mainland to the island, serving as a prominent landmark in the East Coast National Scenic Area.

After exploring Sanxiantai, you will make a stop at Shitiping (literally stone steps). This area is a well-developed sea erosion terrace, featuring promontories along the coastline that have been eroded by sea water over millions of years. This natural process has created an abrasion platform, sea grooves, sea cliffs, and potholes, making Shitiping a world-class outdoor geology classroom.

From Hualien to Yilan, you will experience one-way comfortable train ride.

Tonight, you’ll stay at a 5-star hot-spring hotel in Jiaoxi.

After enjoying hotel breakfast, get ready for the last day of your five-day island tour. Today, the guide will take you to visit the King Car Kavalan Whisky Distillery and the National Center for Traditional Arts.

Start the day with visit to “King Car Kavalan Whisky Distillery”, known worldwide for its exquisite flavors brewed from the clear water sources of the Central Mountain Range and the Xueshan Mountain Range. Immerse yourself in the rich aroma of whisky and experience the unique flavors nurtured in oak barrels, embarking on a fascinating distillery exploration journey.

Continue to visit "National Center for Traditional Arts", a vast park featuring various exquisite traditional Taiwanese buildings. Here you can immerse yourselves in Taiwan's rich heritage through exhibitions, performances, and workshops. From puppet shows to pottery making, there's something for everyone.

Conclude your unforgettable 5-day round island tour by taking bus back to Taipei City.

You will be dropped off at your hotel or designated drop-off point.