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Taiwan by Rail

  • Duration
    9 days
  • Tour Type
    Group Tour
  • Tour Style
    Classic
  • Price From
    £3,790pp

From the lively streets of Taipei to the calm waters of Sun Moon Lake and the misty peaks of Alishan, this is a journey through Taiwan at its most scenic and soulful. Along the way, you'll travel like a local, from the buzz of a commuter train to the sleek speed of the high-speed rail, and step back in time aboard two of the island's most charming historic lines. Blending iconic sights with unforgettable rail experiences, Taiwan by Rail is a fresh and memorable way to explore this fascinating island.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 7 , Lunches: 6 , Dinners: 7
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    7 nights in 3/4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 28
  • Physical Rating 1Learn More
    X A reasonable level of fitness is required and you should expect to be on your feet for much of the day. You’ll be getting on and off coaches, trains or boats and walking around the sights, often including steps, plus occasional longer walks. Download the detailed tour dossier for details of your chosen tour. Learn More
    Walking, some steps and time on your feet

Tour Highlights

Our Taiwan by Rail tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.

Authentic Experiences

Our Treasures of Taiwan Tour has been thoughtfully designed and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

From Mountain Bean to Perfect Brew

Discover how Alishan's cool, misty mountain climate creates the perfect conditions for growing some of Taiwan's finest coffee. Visit the Yuyupas Indigenous Culture Park to learn about traditional farming methods and cultural heritage of the Tsou people, and enjoy a tasting of freshly brewed local coffee.

Ride the Forest Train

Journey through misty mountains and lush forest on Asia's highest narrow-gauge railway. Originally built for logging, this iconic train now offers a scenic ride past tea fields, waterfalls, and remote hillside villages. Travelling in March offers the chance to experience the magic of Alishan as its cherry blossoms burst into bloom.

Taipei Street Food Tour

Follow your guide through the lively chaos of one of Taipei's night food markets, where the air is filled with enticing aromas and the buzz of local life. Sample a mouth-watering range of street food favourites, from sizzling black pepper buns and juicy soup dumplings to sweet taro balls and flame-torched beef skewers.

Tour Itinerary

A less explored nation with its captivating combination of old and new, natural beauty and high-tech modernity, exploring Taiwan on an itinerary that features two historic railways and a journey on a high-speed train, is a glorious adventure.

  • Days 1-2
    Fly overnight to Taipei
    Days 1-2: Fly overnight to Taipei

    Fly overnight to Taipei, Taiwan's buzzing capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. This evening meet with your National Escort and fellow travellers to enjoy dinner at a nearby, local restaurant.

    • Dinner
  • Day 3
    Explore Taipei
    Day 3: Explore Taipei

    Start the day at the National Palace Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Chinese imperial art. Continue to the historic Longshan Temple, an 18th-century place of worship filled with incense and intricate carvings. Stop by the impressive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before ascending Taipei 101's 89th floor for sweeping views of the city skyline. This evening, head to a buzzing night market to sample some of Taipei's most famous street food.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 4
    Ride the Pingxi Line
    Day 4: Ride the Pingxi Line

    Follow the scenic Pingxi Line through lush mountains and former mining towns on a journey once used to transport coal. Stop along the way to explore charming spots like Pingxi and Shifen Old Streets, and admire the impressive Shifen Waterfall. Try your hand at releasing a traditional sky lantern before continuing to Jiufen, a hillside town of narrow alleys, teahouses, and stunning coastal views. Return to Taipei in the evening.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 5
    Travel to Sun Moon Lake
    Day 5: Travel to Sun Moon Lake

    This morning, journey to the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan’s most scenic natural treasures. Stop at a tea plantation nestled in the surrounding hills for a tasting session, before visiting the striking Wenwu Temple overlooking the lake. Later, board a leisurely cruise to soak up panoramic views of jade-green waters, forested slopes, and distant mountain peaks.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 6
    Travel to Alishan
    Day 6: Travel to Alishan

    Head to Bantaoyao Craft Park, a revitalised pottery factory where you'll try your hand at mosaic-making and design your own decorative tile. Later, travel into the misty hills of Alishan to visit Yuyupas Cultural Park. Here, you'll learn about the traditions of the indigenous Tsou tribe and sample rich, aromatic coffee grown and handpicked in the surrounding mountain farms.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 7
    Board the Forest Train
    Day 7: Board the Forest Train

    Hop on the Alishan Forest Train early this morning for the ride up to Zhushan Sunrise Platform, where, if the weather's on your side, you'll catch a stunning sunrise over the mountains. Afterward, spend time exploring Alishan's peaceful forest trails, with stops at scenic spots like the Sister Ponds and the Three Generation Tree.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 8
    Return to Taipei
    Day 8: Return to Taipei

    Start the day in the quaint mountain village of Fenqihu, where you can stroll its narrow lanes lined with wooden shopfronts and try the town’s signature bento box lunch. Later, travel to Chiayi and hop aboard the high-speed train back to Taipei — a smooth, fast journey that reaches up to 300km per hour. On arrival, return to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.

    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
  • Day 9
    Fly Taipei to the UK
    Day 9: Fly Taipei to the UK

    Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

    • Breakfast

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

  • Nights 4
    Caesar Park Banqiao
    Caesar Park Banqiao
    Caesar Park Hotel Banqiao is situated in the heart of Banqiao District, New Taipei City, providing convenient access to the city and its surrounding attractions. Rooms are bright and airy with comfortable bedding and modern amenities. Guests can also enjoy a rooftop outdoor infinity pool offering panoramic views and a fitness centre.
  • Night 1
    Einhan Taihe Hotel
    Einhan Taihe Hotel
    Taihe Einhan Hotel is situated in the Itathao area of Sun Moon Lake, within easy walking distance of Ita Thao Pier and the lakeside trail. Rooms feature modern comforts including a TV, mini refrigerator, kettle, and hairdryer. After a day of exploring, guests can relax at the spa or take in views from the rooftop observatory.
  • Nights 2
    Alishan Gou Hotel
    Alishan Gou Hotel
    Nestled within the Alishan National Forest, the Alishan Gou is a comfortable 3-star retreat chosen for its excellent location amid the area's stunning mountain scenery. The hotel offers welcoming rooms equipped with Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and cozy sitting areas.
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 14°c
  • 76mm
  • Taipei
  • 16°c
  • 83mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 14°c
  • 107mm
  • Taipei
  • 17°c
  • 170mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 16°c
  • 123mm
  • Taipei
  • 19°c
  • 180mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 19°c
  • 127mm
  • Taipei
  • 22°c
  • 178mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 22°c
  • 207mm
  • Taipei
  • 26°c
  • 234mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 24°c
  • 310mm
  • Taipei
  • 28°c
  • 326mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 24°c
  • 307mm
  • Taipei
  • 30°c
  • 245mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 24°c
  • 329mm
  • Taipei
  • 30°c
  • 322mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 24°c
  • 201mm
  • Taipei
  • 28°c
  • 360mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 22°c
  • 107mm
  • Taipei
  • 25°c
  • 149mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 18°c
  • 86mm
  • Taipei
  • 22°c
  • 83mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
  • Sun Moon Lake
  • 15°c
  • 66mm
  • Taipei
  • 18°c
  • 73mm
+ -
Taiwan by Rail map

Places Visited: UK - Taipei (4N) - Sun Moon Lake (1N) - Alishan (2N) - UK

Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price. If your tour departs in less than 30 days, please call our travel experts to book.

If you can find a tour with the same inclusions cheaper, we will match it AND give you a reward. We will also match the price of any Wendy Wu Tour quoted elsewhere and we guarantee the price of your tour will never rise after you've paid.

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Depart UK
Return Date
Price
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Booking Options

Departures for Solo travellers only are available for this tour on selected dates.
In addition to being for solos only these departures feature smaller group sizes, free airport lounge access and complimentary cocktails on arrival.

Depart UK
Return Date
Price
Offer
Booking Options

There are no dedicated Solo departures for this year. You can enjoy any of our tours with no Single Supplement on our Happy to Share option or explore the solo departures in other years.

Depart UK
Return Date
Price
Offer
Booking Options

Group Tour includes

Additional Price Information

Extensions and Stopovers

Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.

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Call us on 0800 1445 282 to book this tour