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Taiwan Express

  • Duration
    8 days
  • Tour Type
    Short Stay
  • Price From
    From £2,490pp

Venture through Taiwan's must-see sights and hidden gems, combining cultural discovery with unforgettable rail experiences. Journey on two historic heritage lines – the charming Pingxi Line and the iconic Alishan Forest Railway – as well as the sleek Taiwan High Speed Rail. Along the way, explore vibrant cities, tranquil lakes, and ancient temples, while sampling the island’s delicious traditional cuisine.

This 8-day package is the perfect way to experience Taiwan’s highlights – whether as a standalone tour or a stopover for those flying with China Airlines or EVA Air. Enjoy private airport transfers, hand-picked accommodation, expertly guided day tours, and some free time to explore at your own pace.

What's Included

  • Accommodation (4 nights Taipei, 1 night Sun Moon Lake, 2 nights Chiayi)
  • Private English-speaking guide-driver
  • Entrance fees for sightseeing
  • Private airport transfers
  • Meals as stated
  • Excludes flights - enquire to add on
This adventure is ideal for travellers with less time to spend and who want to see the very best bits of this incredibly diverse destination. We have designed the tour to feature the most iconic rail journeys and showcase the must-see highlights in Taiwan.

Why Choose a Wendy Wu Tours Short Stay or Stopover?

Complete flexibility

Travel on any day that suits you.

Expertly crafted itineraries

Every detail, expertly arranged – seamless transfers, hand-picked hotels, delicious regional cuisine, and the must-see sights.

Personalised guiding

Explore with your own expert local guide, dedicated exclusively to you and your travel companions.

Hand-picked accommodation

Enjoy comfort and quality throughout your journey with our carefully selected 3- to 4-star hotels

Private Tour Highlights

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

Street Food Market

Get a taste for local delicacies at Taipei's night market, famous for a snack-focused street food

Alishan Tea-Tasting

Enjoy a tea-tasting experience at the Yuyupas indigenous cultural park, part of the Alishan Tea Garden

Ride the Forest Train

Experience the highest narrow-gauge mountain railway in Asia on the Alishan Forest Train

Private Tour Itinerary

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

  • Day 1
    Arrive Taipei
    Day 1: Arrive Taipei

    Arrive in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, where you will be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel to check in for the next 3-nights. Depending on your time of arrival, the remainder of the day is at leisure to start soaking up the local culture.

  • Day 2
    Pingxi Line Tour B L
    Day 2: Pingxi Line Tour

    After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and head to Taipei railway station by public transportation. Board the train to Ruifang, where you start your guided tour along the scenic 8-mile Pingxi Line. There are 12 stations on Pingxi Line and your guide will recommend the best places to hop on and off to explore the country villages and waterfalls. A stop at Shifen Old Street is a must for all travellers, where you can purchase a sky lantern to carry wishes and hopes for the coming year. After touring, take train back to Taipei and return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

  • Day 3
    Taipei City Tour B L
    Day 3: Taipei City Tour

    Today you will explore Taipei by public transport with your local guide, starting with visit to the National Palace Museum. Start with a visit to the Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) Memorial Hall, a monument dedicated to the former leader. Inside are various artifacts including two of his Cadillacs, documents and items from his daily life. Take the high-speed elevator to the observation deck on the 89th floor of Taipei 101 for a birds-eye view of Taipei. Later, explore Longshan Temple, and in the evening visit one of Taipei's night market, famous for a snack-focused street food. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

  • Day 4
    Travel to Sun Moon Lake B
    Day 4: Travel to Sun Moon Lake

    This morning depart Taipei by private car to Sun Moon Lake, a designated National Scenic Area. Explore a tea plantation set in picturesque rolling hills complete with tea tasting, then visit the imposing Wenwu Temple, built on the shore of the lake with beautiful views. Set sail on a cruise of the lake itself soaking up spectacular panoramas of forested shores, turquoise blue waters and the mountains beyond. Stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake.

  • Day 5
    Travel to Chiayi B L
    Day 5: Travel to Chiayi

    Depart Sun Moon Lake by car for Bantaoyao Craft Park, a former pottery factory where you'll take part in a mosaic workshop - learning the proper technique and decorating your own tile. Stop by the Museum of Old Taiwan Tiles (closed on Tuesdays). Lunch today will be traditional hot pot, cooking various meats and vegetables in a delicious broth. Check into your hotel in Chiayi for a 2-night stay.

  • Day 6
    Ride the Forest Train B
    Day 6: Ride the Forest Train

    Travel by car to Yuyupas, a cultural park where you can learn about the indigenous Tsou Tribe and enjoy a coffee or tea tasting experience. Then begin your exploration of the beautiful Alishan Forest Recreation Area and ride the scenic Alishan Forest Train - the highest narrow-gauge railway in Asia - as it winds through dense forest. Continue your sightseeing around Alishan stopping at natural sights such as the Sister Pond, Brother Tree and Three Generation Tree. Return to Chiayi.

  • Day 7
    Return to Taipei B L
    Day 7: Return to Taipei

    Journey back to Taipei, pausing en route at the fascinating Changhua Roundhouse, a railway roundhouse built in 1922. You'll also visit Lukang Old Street, known for its many temples and atmospheric narrow lanes. Then, transfer to Changhua train station and say goodbye to your guide. Board the high-speed train, reaching speeds of up to 300km per hour, approximately 1.5 hours back to Taipei. Meet your English-speaking assistant on arrival and transfer to your hotel by taxi for an evening at your leisure.

  • Day 8
    Depart Taipei B
    Day 8: Depart Taipei

    After breakfast and check-out, the day is yours at leisure until it's time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight. Late check-out is not included.

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Taiwan Express map

Places Visited: Taipei (3N) – Sun Moon Lake (1N) – Chiayi (2N) – Alishan – Taipei (1N)

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart UK
Duration
Price
Booking Options
Depart UK: Standard/Superior Hotels
Duration: 8 days
Price: From £2,490pp

Sample Hotels

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.

Best time to go

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