5-Day Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Taroko Gorge, Kaohsiung, Taitung

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. The lake is divided by Lalu Island; the east side of the lake resembles the sun while the west side resembles the crescent moon, hence the name. The area around the lake is also the home to the Thao people, a group of Taiwan indigenous peoples. With a rich indigenous culture and abundant natural beauty, Sun Moon Lake has become one of the top-ranked destinations in Taiwan.

After lunch, you will tour around the lake by bus and visit the most well-known attractions in this area: Ita Thao, an indigenous village where you can get glimpses of Thao people’s culture and lifestyle; Ci’en Pagoda, a majestic pagoda also a famous landmark in Sun Moon Lake, built by the late president Chiang Kai-shek in memory of his mother; Xuanzang Temple, a Buddhist temple devoted to the prominent monk Xuanzang; Wenwu Temple, an imposing Taoist temple with 3 halls dedicated to the Martial God and the God of Literature. Through the professional commentary of your tour guide, you will learn more about this place.

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

Overnight: Hotel Fleur de Chine – Mountain View Room(5-star), Sun Moon Lake or equivalent

After breakfast, your 5 days in Taiwan can resume by enjoying a pleasant walk around the Xiangshan Visitor Center, a unique building designed for tourism and administration use. The massive canopy structure allows people to enjoy the stunning 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. The first stop upon your arrival is Fo Guang Shan, a big Buddhist monastery founded by Master Hsing Yun in 1967. The signature of the monastery is the enormous statue of Buddha Amitabha in gold color that can be seen from miles away, also the tallest bronze sitting Buddha statue in the world.

Here you will have a good understanding about the doctrines and development of Buddhism, the most widely practiced religion in Taiwan. Additionally, the restaurants in the monastery provide tasty and hearty vegetarian meals that you have a try at your own expense.

After the monastery, you will move down the hill to the center of Kaohsiung City. It’s time to fulfill your appetite with some local delicacies at Liuhe Tourist Night Market, the oldest and most typical night market in Kaohsiung. Here you have a chance to taste the city’s signature street food, such as seafood congee, steamed salted shrimps, papaya milk drink, rice cake, stinky tofu and many more.

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

Overnight: Grand Hi Lai Hotel(5-star), Kaohsiung or equivalent

After breakfast, you will head for the south of the border, also where Taiwan’s first national park is located. 

Kenting National Park is known for its coastal geologic features and landscapes, and the marine biodiversity due to crustal deformation and tropical climate. Besides, Kenting is also a paradise for surfers and divers.

For the 3^rd day of your Taiwan-round island tour, you will stop at Maopitou, literally cat’s nose, a unique natural rock formation that looks just like a giant crouching cat from a distance; Chuanfan Rock, literally sail rock, another unique natural rock formation that looks just like the sail of a ship, or a portrait of US former president Richard Nixon; Eluanpi Lighthouse, built during the Qing Dynasty, was listed as one of the Eight Views of Taiwan during Japanese colonization; and Longpan Park, a coral limestone tableland facing the Pacific Ocean that was eroded by rainwater.

After that, you will head off to Taitung via the South Link Highway, enjoying the scenery along the way. Tonight you will stay in a 5-star hot spring resort in Chihpen, Taitung County. Chihpen is a hot spring town that is famous for carbonate hot spring; the water is effective for improving blood circulation and fatigue relief.

Overnight: Hotel Royal Chihpen(5-star), Taitung or equivalent

After a good night’s sleep and a substantial breakfast, your 5-day tour in Taiwan resumes by traveling along the east coast, the last unspoiled place of the island. Wherever you go, it never ceases to amaze you with its enchanting natural scenery.

You will stop at the most famous scenic spots: Xiaoyeliu, Sanxientai, Shitiping and Fanshuliao; each of them features unique geologic characteristics.

The first stop is Xiaoyehliu (literally little Yehliu). The natural rock formations in this area resemble to those found in Yehliu Geopark in the northern coast of Taiwan, hence the name. Here you can have a close-up look at those unique landforms created by weathering and sea erosion.

Then you will visit Sanxientai (literally the terrace of the three immortals), which is composed of an offshore island and coral reefs. The cross-sea bridge that connects the mainland and the island is an iconic landmark of the East Coast National Scenic Area.

Your next stop is Shitiping (literally stone steps), a well-developed sea erosion terrace. The promontories along the coastline eroded by sea water over millions of years, resulted in the abrasion platform, the sea grooves, the sea cliffs, and the potholes that we see today. Therefore, Shitiping is also considered a world-class outdoor geology classroom.

Before you visit the marble factory in Hualien, you will stop by Fanshuliao, a unique canyon that is regarded as a small version of Taroko Gorge.

Marble mining and processing was an important industry in Hualien, and helped boost the prosperity of the city. Through the marble factory and its exhibits, you will have an overview of the major industry in Hualien.

Enjoy a peaceful night stay in a 5-star resort hotel. On the last day of your tour, you will marvel at the world-famous nature wonder—Taroko Gorge.

Overnight: Hotel Silks Place Taroko – Garden View Room(5-star), Hualien or equivalent

On the last day of your 5 days in Taiwan, you will visit the most spectacular place in Taiwan, also the biggest marble canyon in the world—Taroko National Park. Pull out your camera or phone, and be ready for a mind-blowing adventure!

Situated in the eastern part of Taiwan, Taroko National Park was established in the year of 1986. This park features high mountains and sheer gorges with a diverse range of wildlife and geologic characteristics.

The most well-known parts of this park are the marble cliffs, which can soar up to 1,100 meters high. Today you will stop at the most popular attractions: Shakadang Trail/ Lushui Trail, Eternal Spring Shrine (Changchun Temple), Swallow Grotto Trail and Cimu Bridge.

First, take a walk along Shakadang Trail or Lushui Trail, where the river gently flowing through the marble boulders as you meander along the trail in parallel. The turquoise blue water of the river is crystal clear that you can see the riverbed from above.

The next stop is Swallow Grotto Trail. The potholes on the cliff surface were created by the ground water and the rapid stream of the river. In the past, they were the natural nesting location of swallows, hence the name. Walking through the tunnels, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the marble cliffs reaching up to the sky. 

Before lunch, you will stop by Cimu Bridge (literally motherly devotion bridge), an H-shape hanging bridge built of marble and named by the late president Chiang Jing-guo, for a heart-touching story about a loving mother.

After then, you will take a short break at Tianxiang. It is a large river terrace recreational area, where the Youth Activity Center, a Catholic Church and the only 5-star hotel in the park are located. This area features many spectacular river landscapes, such as the meandering streams and the potholes, making Tianxiang the most picturesque place for dinning and lodge.

After lunch, you will stop by Eternal Spring Shrine, a memorial shrine established in 1958, to commemorate the 225 personnel (military veterans) who died during the construction of the Central Cross-Island Highway. From afar, you can see the waterfall cascading over the sheer cliff below the shrine, creating a picturesque view.

Before ending your Taiwan-round island tour and returning to Taipei, you will stop for a visit at one of the “Eight Wonders” in Taiwan, Qingshui Cliff, for another visual feast.

The soaring cliff is more than 1000 meters high, stretches for 21 kilometers and nearly vertically drops into the sea, that you can enjoy a sweeping view from the viewing platform.

You will then head back to Taipei and arrive in your hotel or designated drop-off place in the evening, marking the end of your 5 tour days in Taiwan.