Taiwan was first known to the West as Ilha Formosa, or Beautiful Island. And with good reason. There are more than 200 mountains that soar above 3,000 meters in height, and the unique geology and topography have created countless alluring landscapes and coastal scenes.

After a traveller arrives in Taiwan he or she will discover that this island nurtures a wide array of tourism and ecological resources, a diversity of traditional folk customs, a rich culture, modern arts, and fantastic food. In short, you will discover that Taiwan is “beyond your expectations.”

Day 2. Taipei/Keelung/Yehliu/Taipei. After breakfast, proceed to Keelung to visit Chung Ching Park where you can view the huge statue of the Goddess of Mercy and also a panoramic view of Keelung Harbor. Then, continue to Yehliu famed for its numerous rock formations resembling a Queen’s head, Fairy Shoe and Lover’s Rock. Return to Taipei for lunch.

Afternoon tour of Taipei City, which includes the impressive C.K.S. Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum where 5,000 years of Chinese Imperial arts and jade collections are exhibited. Continue on to Martyrs’ Shrine of traditional architecture and Taipei Handicraft Center. B

Day 3. Taipei/Sun Moon Lake/Puli/Taichung. Morning tour will take you to Sun Moon Lake, situated 762 meters above sea level in the lofty mountains of Central Taiwan, visiting the famous Wen Wu Temple or Literature Warrior Temple dedicated to Confucius as Master of Pen and to Kuan Ti, the Master of Sword and Holy Monk Shrine. Then proceed to Puli, visiting the cultural & artistic heaven. In the evening, transfer to Taichung for your overnight stay.. B

Day 4. Taichung/Lukang/Kaohsiung. After breakfast, proceed to Lukang. The Lukang village, located about 180 kilometers south of Taipei, is known as a center of arts and handicrafts, particularly wooden and bamboo items. In earlier years, the city was the site of magnificent homes and temples of unique Taiwanese architecture. Some of these structures still exist today. Later, transfer to Kaohsiung City by bus or train for your overnight stay.

Day 5. Kaohsiung/Kenting/Kaohsiung. This morning depart on your tour to Kenting National Park, which is located at Taiwan’s southern tip and the 37 miles of coral-rimmed shoreline along three sides of the Park provides its main attractions. Stops will be made at Oluanpi light house, Maopitou coast scenic area and Kenting Forest recreation area. Return to Kaohsiung City for overnight.

Day 6. Kaohsiung/Taipei. After breakfast, you will visit the second largest city in Taiwan, “Kaohsiung City”. First, you will visit Cheng Ching Lake. This famous lake has a lot of tourist attractions and is the largest lake in Kaohsiung County. A major attraction is the stately Restoration Pagoda.

The lake also has islands and bridges, towers and pavilions, boating and aquariums, tree-lined paths and a nine-corner bridge. Then, proceed to visit another famous place - the “Spring & Autumn Pavilions”, from here you can find the seven-tiered Dragon and Tiger pagodas situated in the water of Lotus Lake at Tzuoying near the graceful pavilions. The nine-cornered bridge links the pagodas to the shore. After the city tour, transfer back to Taipei. Overnight in Taipei.

Day 7. Taipei/Taroko Gorge/Taipei. Today, you will take a flight from Taipei to Hualien, which will comprise a full day visit to Taroko National Park. Taroko Gorge is an exceptionally beautiful, narrow ravine created by a river which has cut deep into the mountains of solid marble.

A road carved into sheer walls of rock snakes its way past forested peaks and cliffs towering thousands of feet above it, while hundreds of feet below a river roars past gigantic marble boulders. Stops will be made at Evergreen Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Nine Turns of Tunnel, Marble Bridge, Tienshiang and at a marble factory. On the return trip to Hualien City, you will see Chi Hsing beach and Hualien Stone Sculptural Park. Then, proceed to Hualien Railway Station for your train ride back to Taipei. Arrival time to Taipei will be approximately 7 p.m. Overnight at your hotel in Taipei.

Day 8. Taipei. The day is at leisure until the time for hotel check out and transfer to the airport for your onward International departure flight.

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