DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: London to Taipei

Flight from London to Taipei.

Day 2: Arrive in Taipei

We arrive in Taipei and transfer to our hotel for a 3 night stay.

Accommodation - Landis Taipei Hotel

Day 3: Sightseeing in Taipei

A full day guided tour of Taipei’s sites, including the Bao’an Temple and National Palace Museum, which houses around 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artefacts and artworks, followed by lunch at Silks Palace. A welcome dinner is included at the landmark Grand Hotel.

Day 4: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial

Today we visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the most prominent historical landmark in Taiwan and witness the changing of the guard, before continuing to the Longshan Temple and 2/28 Peace Memorial Park. Visit one of Taipei’s night markets, famous for their culinary delights.

Day 5: Neiwan and Miaoli Railway Museum

Morning departure by train to Hsinchu, where we transfer to the Liujia branch line for our scenic journey to the historical town of Neiwan. Time to explore Neiwan’s Old Street before we continue by road to the Miaoli Railway Museum, which houses a collection of steam and diesel locomotives. Transfer to Sun Moon Lake for an overnight stay.

Accommodation - Fleur de Chine Hotel

Day 6: Sun Moon Lake and Changhua Roundhouse

We take a morning cruise on the lake to enjoy the beauty of one of Taiwan’s most scenic areas, before transferring to Changhua to visit one of the world’s last remaining working roundhouses. Built in 1922, the roundhouse is home to two steam locomotives and is the maintenance depot for both diesel and electric trains. The day is rounded off with a visit to the former Xihu Sugar Mill and a private steam charter, hauled by a Franco-Belge 0-6-0T. We transfer to Chaiyi for an overnight stay.

Accommodation - Maison de Chine Hotel

Day 7: Alishan Forestry Railway

Today we travel on the century-old Alishan Forest Railway, the highest narrow-gauge mountain railway in Asia. We board our private steam charter, hauled by an original Shay locomotive and travel as far as Zhuchi Station, where we will stop to photograph the loco. We continue by chartered diesel train through the amazing Dulishan spiral to Fenqihu, stopping at Jiaoliping Station where you can write and send a postcard home. There is time to visit the railway’s depot and Fenqihu Old Street, before transferring by road to Alishan and our hotel for a 2 night stay.

Accommodation - Alishan House

Day 8: Sunrise Train and Steam Charter

Early morning departure on the scheduled Sunrise Train to Chushan, the highest railway station in Taiwan at 8,041ft to view the spectacular sunrise. Return to the hotel for breakfast and a leisurely morning. This afternoon there will be a second private steam charter, hauled once again by an original Shay locomotive, for the short return journey to Zhaoping. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore.

Day 9: To Tainan 

Return to Chaiyi by road and visit the Alishan Railway's Garage Park, home to a range of out of service diesel and steam locomotives and railcars. We continue to the former Wushulin Sugar Mill for a journey by privately chartered narrow gauge railcar, before transferring to Tainan for a 2 night stay.

Accommodation - The Place Tainan

Day 10: Tainan Sightseeing

A full day’s guided sightseeing to include Chihkan Tower, Confucius Temple and Anping Tree House in the old Dutch colonial quarter.

Day 11: Kaohsiung City

Journey by High Speed Rail to Kaohsiung. On arrival we will have a full day's sightseeing to include visits to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery, Pier-2 Art Centre, Hamasen Railway Museum, plus a round trip of the pier by tram. Evening at leisure to explore Kaohsiung.

Accommodation - Hotel Cozzi

Day 12: Scenic East Coast to Hualien City

We journey today by rail along Taiwan’s scenic eastern coastline to Hualien City. On arrival we visit the Hualien Old Railway Culture Park, which covers the ground of the restored eastern railway depot. Time to wander around the nostalgic railway structures before transferring to our hotel for a 2 night stay.

Accommodation - Just Sleep Hotel

Day 13: Taroko National Park

Today we head inland by road to Taroko Gorge, an awe-inspiring gorge lined by sheer cliffs of marble. Our visit will include the Swallow Grotto, Marble Bridge and the Eternal Spring Shrine.

Day 14: Yilan City and Jiaoxi Hot Spring

We travel to Yilan City and its multi-cultural Old Town where the Qing Dynasty of China, Japan and indigenous tribes co-existed during the same period. We include a visit to an organic tea farm and meet a local farmer who will be our guide at the traditional market. This evening we overnight at Yilan Jiaoxi, one of the most renowned hot spring destinations in northern Taiwan.

Accommodation - Wellspring by Silks

Day 15: Pingxi Line and Taipei

Transfer by road to Badouzi Station, where we continue by train on the scenic Pingxi branch line, a 13km narrow gauge railway, one of three remaining open from the Japanese era. We visit Shifen to view the famous Shifen waterfall and visit the Taiwan Coal Museum. You will also be able to photograph the train as it travels down Shifen Old Street. Continue to Taipei for our final night and farewell dinner.

Accommodation - Landis Taipei Hotel

Day 16: Flight to UK

Return flight to London, arriving the same day.

PRICING

Included:

• Economy flights from London

• B&B accommodation in good quality hotels (may be subject to change)

• 6 dinners & 3 lunches

• All rail journeys & transfers as stated

• All excursions and admission charges as specified

• The services of a UK tour leader & local Taiwanese guide throughout

Not included:

• Meals other than those described above

• Drinks

• Gratuities and tips

We recommend packing lightly, with one manageable main piece of luggage per person.