Experience what the Portuguese called "Ilha Formosa" - the "beautiful island".

From your base in the capital Taipei, explore the markets, temples, mountains and coastline of Taiwan with a private Guide to enhance your experience with personalized insight. Start with a tour of the political monuments of central Taipei and its National Museum, home to the world's largest collection of ancient Chinese artifacts. Visit Buddhist, Confucist and Taoist temples while tasting some of the diverse Chinese cuisine for which the city is famous. A highlight of this trip is a one day tour of Taroka gorge with return air from Taipei. Taroko gorge is the flagship National Park in Taiwan and a geological marvel famous for it's marble cliffs and scenic vistas. Finish with a trip to the stunning northern coast and rural villages then return to the markets and modern architecture of contemporary Taipei.

Day 1
Taipei
Take a private airport tranfer by private car. Vehicle/Driver is just a driver and Vehicle/Driver/Guide means a guide with an English-speaking guide. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price). San Want Residences is centraly situated in downtown Taipei Najing East Road. Adjacent to the LinSen Park, the hotel is surrounded with duty-free shops, international designer`s boutiques, restaurants and bars. San Want Residences offers great convenience for all travellers and provides panoramic views of the city. Throughout the hotel you can find numerous sculpture artworks by contemporary Taiwanese artists. The hotel offers 81 exquisitely appointed rooms, decorated in warm earth tones and elegant wood furnishings. All are equipped with modern amenities. Their Dining Lounge serves Western and Oriental dishes. For those who want to workout their fitness center is fitted with modern equipment. Though peopled by native groups for millenia Taipei proper was not founded until the early 1700's. Settled primarily by waves of migrants from mainland China Taipei burst into the international limelight in late 1949 when Chiang Kai Shek and the Nationalist China government fled the mainland and made it the provisional government of the Republic of China. Bustling with masses of people from all over Taiwan and mainland China, Taipei is the epicentre of the Taiwan economic miracle. Taipei is an international travel hub, vibrant modern city and boasts a stimulating array of dining options, traditional temples and markets. With Taiwan itself being about the same size as Belgium Taipei is also the perfect base from which to explore some of the rural culture and natural beauty of this unique island.

Day 2
Taipei
Enjoy a half day private tour with an English speaking guide. While the Taipei area has been settled for millenia by the indigenous Ketagalan people, its history as an urban centre only dates back to the early 1700's. Despite only a few hunred years of history Taipei is now a modern city with a tumultuous history, diverse population and impressive collage of modern grandeur and age old traditions. We begin with a visit to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an impressive monument to the one-time leader of China and founder of modern Taiwan. The majestic hall towers over 25 hectares of landscaped gardens, pavilions, and ponds. Next stop is the nearby Martyr's Shrine, an excellent example of classical Ming dynasty architecture and an excellent source of insight into the history of Taiwan that still shapes its relationship with the Mainland. Next stop is the Taipei National Palace Museum which houses the imperial safeguarded from the chaos of the civil war and with over 620,000 items it is the world's largest collection of Chinese art treasure - too large to be displayed all at once. Final stop is the handricraft center - an excellent source to see (and if interested purchase) traditional goods. Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy a four hour private evening tour with an English speaking Guide. Modern Taipei is home to many temples, markets and exciting dining opportunities. This private tour combines these urban highlights with a visit to Lungshan (Dragon Mountain) Temple, Taipei's oldest and most famous as well as one of Taiwan's finest examples of temple architecture. With a delicious and exciting Mongolian BBQ dinner (you cook an array of meats and vegetables in a seasoned broth steaming on your table) there is also opportunity to visit the lively Hwahsi Street Night Market and view Taipei's skyline atop the Taipei 101 Observatory (entrance ticket is included). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price).

Day 3
Taipei
Enjoy a full day private tour with an English speaking Guide taking in a return flight to the Taroko Gorge. Taroka means "magnificent and beautiful" and Taroko Gorge is the natural highlight of Taiwan and one of the geological wonders of East Asia. Start with a 25-minute flight from Taipei to Hualien and experience the scenery of the 16 kilometre highway carved into Taroka's famous marble cliffs high above the rushing river. Your route will take you through 38 tunnels including the Swallows Grotto, the Tunnel of Nine Turns and the Marble Bridge of Motherly Devotion. After lunch, visit Chi Hsing Beach and Stone Sculptural Park before flying back to Taipei around 4:30 PM. Suggested stops include: - Taroko Gorge Gateway, Eternal-Spring Shrine, Swallow Caves, Tunnel of Nine Turns, Tienhsiang Lodge & Lunch, Chi Hsing Beach, Hualien Stone Sculptural Park
Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Day 4
Taipei
Enjoy a half day private tour with an English speaking Guide to the quaint villages of Chiufen. These historical gold mining areas with closely packed homes clinging to steep hills overlooking the green mountains and see are a sight to behold. The surrounding area is a national scenic area with a stunning coastline of luscious hills rolling down the see along pictureque capes and bays. The tour is private of course but typical stops include Chiufen and Chinkuashih villages as well as the scenic Pitou Cape, Nanya Rock Formations and Bay of two colours.




























Enjoy lunch at leisure (not included in tour price). Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax in your hotel. Enjoy dinner at leisure (not included in tour price).

Day 5
Taipei
Take a private airport tranfer by private car. Vehicle/Driver is just a driver and Vehicle/Driver/Guide means a guide with an English-speaking guide. Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.