Highlights
Join us for a foodie adventure through Taiwan, taking in sights, highlights, and culinary delights. Combining the best of traditional and modern that Taiwan’s food scene has to offer, you’ll have the opportunity to explore arguably some of Taiwan’s best food markets – Nanmen, Ningxia, and Luodong – and better still, try your hand at creating your own version of traditional dishes, all while taking in the distinctive destinations that make Taiwan an emerald Eden. Other food high notes include lunch at a trout farm, brewing your own ‘oriental beauty’ tea, mixing with Hakka locals, and enjoying the more contemporary expressions of the culinary arts at Taiwanese restaurants that are held dear by locals and travelers alike.
But it takes more than food to make a tour and with gorgeous natural beauty and intriguing cultural heritage at seemingly every corner, we bring you this tiny island’s best: the National Palace Museum, Taroko National Park, the National Center for Traditional Arts, Jiufen Old Street, and Yehliu Geopark. It’s the perfect curated highlight list for the traveler wanting more than a snapshot of Taiwan but with only a week to travel. Read more
Bearing all the hallmarks of a ChinaTours.com tour: Your own choice of lunch and dinner (ordered with the help of our lovely, friendly bilingual guides, of course); airconditioned travel in late model transport; four and five-star accommodation options in every destination, with the exception of your hotel in Luodong and the Tianxiang homestay; you’ll love the way we move you with ease between town and country.
If the idea of enviable food travel memories appeals and Taiwan’s on your bucket list, let’s make that adventure happen. Call the team and book your vacation today.
| Vehicle | Air conditioned vehicle with licensed driver |
|---|---|
| Guide Service & Language | Professional English-speaking guide |
Itinerary
Arrive at Taipei Taoyuan airport where you’ll be greeted by your local guide. Escorted by your driver, you’ll be transported directly to your hotel, on the way taking the opportunity to learn a little about this vibrant city. After check-in, you’re free to rest, relax, or explore the local surroundings.
Meals included: Nil
Step out after breakfast ready to take on Taipei. The day’s adventure commences with a visit to the city’s famous Nanmen Market, perhaps the most traditional of Taipei’s food markets. You’ll join a two-hour cooking class at Cook Inn during which you’ll be paced through the steps of favorite local Taiwanese savory and sweet culinary classics.
After imbibing the fruits of your labor, you’ll enjoy a change of pace by visiting the National Palace Museum. Here you’ll discover the museum’s remarkable collection of artifacts, treasures, and antiquities that transport you through Chinese history. Spend the afternoon enthralled by the bird’s-eye panoramic view of Taipei city and well beyond by taking the lift 89 stories to enjoy the Taipei 101 Observatory.
Come back down to earth and make your way to dinner at Din Tai Fung Restaurant. There are almost too many Taiwanese dishes to count, but the one you simply can’t go past is Xiao Long Bao. Yes, they taste as good as they look, so be prepared to eat at least a handful of these stuffed steamed buns (or dumplings) loaded with different fillings. And if that wasn’t quite enough, under the helpful eye of your trusty guide, dive into the feast of tasty street food and snacks at the perennially popular Ningxia Night Market. While a walk may be in order, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel by car to rest up before the next day’s travel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Note: Due to the closure of the National Palace Museum each Monday, your tour guide may adjust your itinerary.
In the morning, you’ll head off to Hualien following the Suhua Highway. On route, make a stop at Dongao Indigenous Village, where the local culture and traditions can be experienced firsthand. With the help of your guide, enjoy a typical indigenous-flavored lunch at the renowned Dageeli Indigenous House on your way to Taroko. After lunch, your adventure at Taroko National Park starts, with many incredible points of natural interest and beautiful on the itinerary: Taroko Gorge Gateway, Shakadang Trails, Eternal Spring Shrine, Swallow Grotto, Tunnel of Nine Turns, and more. At the end of your day’s sightseeing, check in to your hotel, located in the Taroko National Park itself.
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast rejoin the Suhua Highway making stops at scenic Qingshui Cliff and Fenniaolin Fishing Port, both perfect spots to capture beautiful travel memories that showcase the very best of Taiwan’s ocean and mountain landscapes.
Travel on to Suao, a fishing port and traditional seafood market, where you can observe the fishermen, market workers, and customers buying and selling the fare that keeps them afloat and fed. Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the best of what’s offered when you dine in for lunch at a local trout farm in Niudou.
In the afternoon, the National Center for Traditional Arts is a thoughtfully designed facility dedicated to the preservation of traditional performing and creative art forms in Taiwanese culture. Have dinner at the Golden Gate Restaurant, considered by locals as the home of authentic traditional Yilan food. Enrich your cultural insights further with a visit to the Luodong Night Market, a favored food destination with locals, before checking in to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
From Luodong, the tour takes you north to Jiufen. Take a walking tour back in time as you explore Jiufen Old Street, once a bustling gold mining town and now a village that retains much of its historical old-world charm. Enjoy a faithful recreation of the traditional mine worker’s lunch, similar to that eaten by miners from the last century.
Following lunch, the sightseeing continues with the drive to Yehliu Geopark. Marvel at the remarkable natural rock formations created by erosion and other natural forces. Let your imagination carry you away with what you ‘see’; mushrooms, animals, heads, and more. If time permits, a stop will be made at Xiaoyoukeng Geological Site of Yangmingshan National Park, worth a visit for the eerie spectacle created by the volcano’s fumarole. From here, you will be returned to your hotel for the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
Rise refreshed and enjoy breakfast before heading out on a one-day Hakka Discovery Tour. The day begins with a visit to Zhudong Market, one of Taipei’s long-established traditional markets that’s remained a favorite with locals for over 60 years. Let your eyes guide you – or if in doubt, draw on the insider knowledge of your guide – to make a selection of local Hakka pastries and cakes. Enjoy!
The next stop will be the small Hakka town in Beipu, a rural town in Hsinchu County that has many claims to fame. Apart from the architecture reflected in the traditional houses and streets, Beipu is renowned for its history and tea. You’ll be hosted at local favorite Beipu Shitang – also known as Beipu Canteen – where you’ll have the opportunity to savor local specialties.
Walk off lunch as you wander Beipu’s historical streets and then join locals over a freshly made brew of the distinctively honey-flavored ‘Pong Fong’ tea, also known as ‘oriental beauty’ tea. You’ll even have the chance to make your own Lei Cha, a favorite among Hakka snack lovers. Finally, after exploring on your feet all day, you’ll appreciate the opportunity to return to your hotel in Taipei where you can relax for the rest of the evening.
Add a final Taiwan food memory to your adventure by booking an optional dinner at the fabulous Shi-Yang Restaurant, after which you can enjoy your last evening on tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
Today you will be met by your guide and transferred to Taoyuan International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your tour of Taiwan.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
- Admission fees: to sightseeing spots and activities specified
- Activities specified in the itinerary
- Excellent professional English-speaking guide
- Ground transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with the licensed driver as specified
- 4-star or 5-star hotel accommodation with breakfast, based on double/twin occupancy as specified, except the hotel in Luodong, which is 3.5 stars. Please note accommodation in Tianxiang is a welcoming and well-appointed homestay and not star rated.
- Cooking Class
- Travel agency liability insurance during the tour
- Government taxes and fees.
Exclusions:
- International/domestic flights to/from Taipei
- Visa
- Gratuities to guides and drivers and any expense of personal nature
- Meals: Lunches and dinners are excluded allowing you flexibility around meal choices. Your guide can make recommendations and order for you if required
- Our tour package does not include travel insurance. Please purchase travel insurance before your trip to protect for any unforeseen circumstances.
Important Information
Important information – FOR PRIVATE TOUR
- This is a private tour for your group of family or friends. There will be no other travelers in the group apart from you
- Smart casual dress and comfortable walking shoes are recommended
- Prices based on twin occupancy
- The prices shown are not valid during any official holidays (including National Day, New Year’s Day and Chinese Spring Festival, etc.)
- The itinerary may be adjusted due to any unforeseen circumstances
- Optional tours to other destinations are also available
- Any city not included in the existing tour package can be blended into a private tour.
- Arrangements for entering and exiting Taiwan from/to Hong Kong and Indochina are also available
- Stays at Taipei can be extended upon your request incurring an extra cost.
General Important Information
Booking Information
After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation email with a Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of the purchase.
Any special requests, preferences, and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability, and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below.
On purchasing this tour product, you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information.
Surcharges
Please note: that online credit card payments and PayPal payments incur surcharges.
Tour Start Dates
Private and custom tours can be scheduled to commence on any day. Multi-day small group tours start on set dates as indicated in the booking calendar for the specific tour.
Cities for Commencement of Tours
Taipei for a multi-day small group, and most private tours, unless otherwise specified.
Any city for custom tours.
Express Trains
Standard seat for five-star (Luxury) and four stars (Superior) tour packages.
Destination Transfer
Air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed driver.
Arrive Early
Accommodation options are available for early arrival prior to the commencement of the tour. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Stay Behind
Accommodation options for staying behind after completion of the tour are available. Bookings can be made online prior to checkout, or arrangements can be made with a ChinaTours.com travel consultant.
Tour Guide:
All ChinaTours.com tour guides are bilingual speakers with intimate knowledge of an area/city, its culture, history, people, and food, which they will share on tour. ChinaTours.com does not operate commission-based shopping tours, which means our tour guides do not receive commissions for commission-based shopping stops.
A private driver-guide will be arranged for 1-2 travelers tour group.
Small-Group Size:
The maximum number of passengers in a multi-day small group tour is 12 people.
Optional Tours/Activities
Optional tour activities are available on request. Please contact ChinaTours.com directly to customize your optional tour activities and destinations.
Accommodation
Five-star and four-star hotels with the premium locations selected by ChinaTours.com are one of the best hotels in each destination.
Bedding Configuration
Bedding included in accommodation is double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Special arrangements are available on request; additional charges may apply due to a third party or hotel requests.
Adjoining/Interconnecting Rooms
Adjoining/Interconnecting rooms are available subject to passengers’ requests. Additional charges may apply due to third-party or hotel requests.
Child/Infant Policy
– Child/infant prices can be quoted separately.
– Free of charge for Infant age 2 and under; child price valid for 2 to 11 years old.
Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors are allowed.
Meals
– All breakfast included,
– Lunch & Dinner are excluded so you are free to choose cuisines, while guides will give recommendations and guide you there.
Other Important Information
Passport
Customers are required to provide valid passport details either at the time of purchase. or within 72 hours of purchase. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the booking. In this instance, customers will be responsible for any costs and fees incurred.
Passport validity should be at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan.
Visas
For the visitors who come from one of the visa-exempt countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visas on arrival, no visa is required if they stay less than 60 days. Otherwise, visitors must obtain a visa or authorization in advance. Please start arranging your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours.
Gratuities/Tipping
Gratuities (tips) for services of the tour guide and driver throughout the tour are not included in the tour package price.
Insurance
ChinaTours.com tour packages do not include travel insurance. We strongly recommend the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
Schedule of Fees
For changes to travel arrangements:
- First change – No charge
- For all subsequent changes – USD50
- Any charges applied by a third party (for example, airline, cruise company, accommodation provider, other travel providers) cannot be waived
Cancellation
For China Tour Packages, ChinaTours.com charges cancellation fees at a percentage of the total tour package price, which is stated as follows:
More than 120 days prior to the tour start date, no cancellation fee
60 -120 days prior to tour start date: 10 percent cancellation fee
31 – 59 days prior to tour start date: 30 percent cancellation fee
15 – 30 days prior to tour start date: 50 percent cancellation fee
Within 14 days prior to tour start date: 100 percent cancellation fee
Any charges applied by the third party (airline/cruise/train company, hotel, other service providers, card fee, bank fee) can not be waived.
Travel Memories
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