6D/5N: From City to Nature

Around 9:30AM, meeting with your English-speaking guide/driver (any other language on request) at the lobby of the hotel or other address of your convenience.

Main visits of today:
► CHIANG KAI SHEK MEMORIAL HALL:  The Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and the area surrounding it is one of the most prominent landmarks in Taiwan and is also one of the most popular destinations for tourists visiting Tai- pei with thousands of people showing up each day. The Memorial Park covers an area of over 240,000 square meters and during the Japanese Colonial era was a military base. The expansive park consists of three large buildings: the Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂),
The National Theatre (國家戲劇院), the National Concert Hall (國家音樂廳) and the beautiful gar-dens behind the Memorial hall.
Memorial Hall: is probably the main reason people visit the area and express the 'spirit of Chinese culture”. It was constructed using Taiwanese marble and the roof is blue represen- ting the color of Chiang Kai Shek party and *cough* "freedom" and has a octagon shape because in Asia, the number eight is associated with abundance and good fortune.
 
The most imposing and impressive structures on Liberty Square are that of the National The- atre (國家戲劇院) and National Concert Hall (國家音樂廳). The two buildings play host to major perfor-mances all year long and are considered the best artistic venues in the coun- try.
Behind the Memorial Hall there are beautiful gardens home of squirrels, birds, fish, turtles and cranes. Watch the guard changing ceremony at 11AM, visit the museum and the garden. Guard changing ceremony duration: approximately 20 minutes.
 
► 12.30 Lunch at Din Tai Fung Restaurant (101 Branch)
Menu @Din Tai Fung
Package A (for 1): 4 Xiao long bao, 1 steamed vegetable dumpling, 1 steamed shrimp dumpling,
1 steamed fish dumpling, 1 steamed shrimp shao mai, red bean xiao long bao, shredded pork and egg fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, hot and sour soup
Package B (for 1): 4 Xiao long bao, 1 chicken xiao long bao, 1 steamed vegetarian mushroom
dumpling, 1 steamed fish dumpling, 1 steamed shrimp shao mai, 1 taro xiao long bao, shrimp and egg fried rice, stir-fried vegetables, hot and sour soup
 

After lunch (14.30), visit of Taipei 101.
 
► TAIPEI 101 Taipei 101 is impossible to miss with its 508mt held the title of the world's tallest green buil- ding until 2011. Observation decks are on the 88th and 89th floors, with an outdoor deck on the 91st floor opened on some occasions, weather permitting. Don't miss the massive gold- colored iron wind damper that keeps the tower stable through typhoons and earthquakes.

► SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL The National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall was built in 1972 as a tribute to the founder of the Republic of China. The hall contains displays of Sun's accomplishments from the revolution during and after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, and today is a meeting ground for various social, educational, and cultural activities. Although the hall's main purpose was intended to display historical relics of Sun's life and the Xinhai Revolution, it later was opened to performances and exhibitions. Visit the Memorial and watch the changing of the guard.

► LONGSHAN TEMPLE Founded in 1738 by Han immigrants from Fujian, this temple has served as a municipal, guild and self-defence centre, as well as a house of worship. These days it is one of the city's top religious sites, and a prime venue for exploring both Taiwan's vibrant folk faith and its unique temple arts and architecture.

► BOPILIAO HISTORICAL BLOCK  Bopiliao Historic Block is one of the key attractions of Wanhua District that portrays some of the oldest and most historical architectures in the modern city life of Taipei. With a long history dating back to 1799 when it was first known as “Fupiliao” (福皮寮街), this street has been revamped, and officially opened to the public in 2009 again with a new appearance. Today, it serves not only as a preserved attraction popular among tourists but also a site that reminds and educates the locals of their traditional culture and history. This includes a wide range of traditional shop houses from the Qing dynasty (1683 - 1895) to buildings constructed during the Japanese occupation, (1895–1945) till early post war periods.

On this day you will visit the biggest lake in Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake.

After breakfast at your hotel in Taipei, meeting with your English speaking guide/driver at your hotel.
We’ll leave the city behind and head to magical Sun Moon Lake, consistently rated as one of the most scenic spots in Asia.
Upon arrival, you'll first take in the beauty of Taiwan's largest lake while enjoying a leisurely 60-minute bike ride along a trail awarded as one of ten "Breathtaking Cycling Routes" by CNN.
Next on the list is a well-deserved Taiwanese-style lunch (included) before boarding the lake ferry and admiring the lake waters and surrounding mountains. The ferry experience will be followed by a sky-high ride in a cable car granting picturesque 360-degree panoramic views over Sun Moon Lake. The Sun Moon Lake Ropeway connects Ita Thao with the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village. It takes about ten minutes each way and covers a distance of around 1,877 meters (6,158 ft).
After the ropeway ride, you will visit Wenwu Temple. The majestic temple is located on a mountainside, north of Sun Moon Lake, and was built according to the landscape. Wenwu Temple is known to be the largest temple in the area.

NB: Itineray might change due to traffic or weather conditions.

After breakfast at your hotel in Sun Moon Lake, meeting with your guide/driver and visit Yidashao Commercial District. During a 40-minute visit, you can learn more about Taiwan and the Taiwanese indigenous culture and get your hands on some fine traditional arts and crafts.

You will then move towards the Alishan National Park.
This area is famous for its production of high mountain tea and wasabi, notably tea and carvings and handicrafts made from red cypress. On the way to Alishan, stop in Elephant Mountain National Scenic Area to learn about tea culture and magnificent view.
Your guide/driver will suggest some places on the way.  

After arrival in Alishan and check in at the hotel, free evening.

Early in the morning you will take the Alishan Mountain Railway to Zhushan Station and witness one of the famous sunrises (tickets not included, please pay for your guide as well). With the guide you will then have a walk at the Alishan Forest Recreation Area and meet the thousands year old Taiwan cypress tree.

Back to the hotel and have breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to the Chiayi port to take a ferry to Penghu Island (the ferry takes about 80mins) or in alternative flight from Taichung to Penghu.

Upon your arrival you will have 3 days to enjoy & explore Penghu Island on your own or just relax on the beautiful beaches of Penghu island.
Full guidance with suggested spots to visit will be provided.


 

The last day of this tour will start with breakfast at your hotel at Penghu Island. After breakfast, you will take the flight from Penghu to Taipei, Taichung or Kaohsiung. 
After arrival, transfer to your hotel or to the next destination.

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