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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.
Our Taiwan by Rail tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.
Explore the buzzing streets and hidden gems of vibrant Taipei
Ride the Pingxi Line, a scenic railway winding through waterfalls, forests, and charming old towns including Jiufen.
Embark on a peaceful cruise across Sun Moon Lake
Uncover the secrets of Taiwan’s high-mountain tea production
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.
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.
Places Visited: UK - Taipei (4N) - Sun Moon Lake (1N) - Alishan (2N) - UK
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.
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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.
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.
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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