Today your journey begins: you take an overnight flight to Taipei.

In Taipei your guide welcomes you and accompanies you to your accommodation, giving you first tips for finding your way around the lively capital. Then you can settle in and explore the neighbourhood. (Distance: approx. 40 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The arTree Hotel is in Songshan District, a few minutes’ walk from Taipei Arena MRT station; nearby are the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Raohe night market. It has a restaurant, a fitness area and a hot spring spa (at extra cost, by reservation). The rooms, each designed around a nature theme, have Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, safe and a bathroom with freestanding bathtub.

Your city tour begins at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, one of the country’s most important memorial sites; then you stop for a photo at the Presidential Office Building. In a small-group cooking class you prepare xiaolongbao (steamed dumplings with a juicy filling) and bubble tea – and taste them, of course. At the National Palace Museum you admire a world-class collection of Chinese art with jade, ceramics and calligraphy. A high-speed lift takes you to the observation deck on the 89th floor of Taipei 101. In the evening you immerse yourself in everyday life at a night market among food stalls and market stands. (B/L/S) (Distance: approx. 30 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

On the north coast you visit Yehliu Geopark, whose bizarre rocks shaped by wind and sea are often compared to a Martian landscape – including the famous Queen’s Head and mushroom-shaped rocks. In Shifen you see the waterfall amid lush vegetation. By the old railway tracks you write wishes with a brush on a sky lantern (shared by four people) and watch it rise. In Yilan you visit the Kavalan Distillery, Taiwan’s first private whisky distillery, and taste its single malt. At dinner in a local restaurant you try, among other things, Yilan’s typical weng yao chicken from the clay oven. (B/D) The order may be adjusted depending on weather and traffic. (Distance: approx. 150 km; driving time: approx. 3.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Lakeshore Hotel Suao is in the coastal town of Su’ao near Nanfangao fishing harbour, overlooking the Pacific. It is known for its cold and hot springs. There is a restaurant, a library with harbour views and an infinity pool. The spacious rooms have a marble bathtub with spring water, air conditioning, desk and TV.

A scenic route takes you to Taroko National Park with its mighty marble gorge. At the visitor centre you get an introduction and take a short walk. Depending on access, you stop at Shakadang and continue through the gorge to Tianxiang, where you take a short hike. Please note: due to restoration work there may be restrictions in the national park; the programme is arranged flexibly on site. In the late afternoon you reach your hotel in the Hualien area; the evening is free. (B) (Distance: approx. 110 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Lakeshore Hotel Hualien Taroko is in Xincheng on the east coast, near Taroko National Park, overlooking the sea, mountains and Qixingtan Bay. It has several restaurants and tea rooms, an infinity pool, a spa and a bookshop. Rooms have air conditioning, Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, tea and coffee facilities and a bathroom with separate shower.

Today one of the most impressive stages awaits: on the Central Cross-Island Highway you cross the island’s interior from east to west and see how vegetation and landscape change with altitude. At Wuling Pass (3,275 m), the highest point of the road, you look out over the central mountains. If road and weather conditions allow, you visit Wenwu Temple at Sun Moon Lake with wide views over the water. In the evening you reach your lakeside hotel, where dinner awaits. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 180 km; driving time: approx. 5–6 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Sun Moon Lake Hotel lies right on the lakeshore with views of the water and mountains, close to the bike paths. It has a restaurant, a bar, a gym and a karaoke room (at extra cost). Rooms have a private bathroom.

At a tea plantation you learn about Taiwanese tea and taste local varieties. Then you take a boat across Sun Moon Lake, named for the shape of its shores, and hear legends and stories about the lake. At the Guangxing paper mill you learn about traditional paper-making and paint a fan or another souvenir. In the afternoon you cycle along the lakeshore on one of the country’s most beautiful bike paths. The evening is free. (B) (Distance: approx. 35 km; driving time: approx. 1 hr)

Today you travel to Tainan, Taiwan’s first capital. In the Anping district, where Taiwan’s history began, you wander through winding lanes and visit Fort Zeelandia from the Dutch colonial period. On a boat trip you see oyster farms, mangroves and resting places of migratory birds. You then visit the Confucius Temple, Taiwan’s first official school. In the evening you can discover Tainan’s famous food on your own – your guide will gladly give you tips. (B) (Distance: approx. 165 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The hotel in Tainan is in the East District and directly connected to the Nanshan T.S. Mall. It has a restaurant, a gallery and a design shop. The modern rooms have a double bed or two single beds and a private bathroom.

In the mountains at around 1,000 m lies the village of Wutai, home of the indigenous Rukai people and often shrouded in clouds. You see the Presbyterian church built of stone slabs in the style of traditional Rukai houses and visit a local family. At lunchtime you can try an indigenous meal (not included). Then you reach Fo Guang Shan Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist centres in East Asia, with the Buddha Memorial Hall and the monumental bronze Buddha statue. If time allows, you are introduced to the meditative copying of sutras. You stay overnight within the monastery grounds – simple, but with a special atmosphere. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 180 km; driving time: approx. 4 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast In Fo Guang Shan you stay in simple accommodation within the monastery grounds.

If you wish, you can join the monks’ chanting early in the morning, followed by a simple vegetarian breakfast. In Kaohsiung you stop at the Lotus Pond with the colourful Dragon and Tiger Pagodas and the Spring and Autumn Pavilions. Further south you explore Kenting National Park with its coastal scenery and tropical vegetation, including Eluanbi Lighthouse and the Longpan grassland (possibly partly the next morning). In the late afternoon you reach your hotel; the evening is free. (B) (Distance: approx. 130 km; driving time: approx. 2.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Caesar Park Hotel Kenting is on the Hengchun Peninsula right by Kenting National Park and close to the coast. It has several restaurants and bars, a large pool area with palms, a spa, a gym and access to a private beach area. The tropical resort-style rooms have Wi-Fi, TV, coffee machine and minibar.

The morning is yours – for a walk or time at the hotel. In the afternoon you drive to Kaohsiung and board the high-speed train to Taipei at Zuoying station. In the evening you enjoy a typical Taiwanese hot pot farewell dinner together. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 110 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The arTree Hotel is in Songshan District, a few minutes’ walk from Taipei Arena MRT station; nearby are the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Raohe night market. It has a restaurant, a fitness area and a hot spring spa (at extra cost, by reservation). The rooms, each designed around a nature theme, have Wi-Fi, TV, fridge, safe and a bathroom with freestanding bathtub.

After breakfast your guide accompanies you to the airport for your flight home. (B) (Distance: approx. 35 km; driving time: approx. 45 min)

Welcome home!