Important Annoucement: Price adjustments for Taiwan!

$999 (NUS Student/Staff family members/Alumni);
$1099(other non-NUS students with student pass and Members of the Public);

The new adjustment is due to price adjustments in the attractions. The itinerary remains the same and no changes have been made!

Taiwan isn’t just cities, factories and night markets. This island is also home to Northeast Asia’s tallest summit and to more than 240 peaks over 3000m, and is one of the world’s top hiking destinations. From bamboo forests, subtropical and tropical jungles, deep gorges and valleys, coastal bluffs, alpine meadows, high peaks, rushing rivers, waterfalls, wildlife… It doesn’t get more diverse than that. There are many reasons why it has been named “Formosa“, the Beautiful….This coming Taiwan O-adventure ’011, we’ll show you how! From Taipei, kaohsiung, tainan, Alishan, Chiayi and back to Taipei, not only will you be guaranteed lots of fun, you will discover the many hidden and unexpected sides of Taiwan beyond that of Taipei city!

Outline

Our Taiwan O-adventure will have two main elements.

1) Outdoor Adventure

-Hike up Alishan along the off-beaten and pristine eco-paths away from commerical tourists! Other then embarking on the hiking trails, there are other pleasant things such as watching idyllic sunrise, viewing spring cherry blossoms, and enjoying Alishan famous tea.

-2 days Trekking in Taroko National park, Taiwan’s second biggest national park that has peaks reaching as high as 3700m! Cutting through a myriad of geographical landscapes, the national park offers a variety of different trekking experiences with varying difficulty levels, each with its own breathtaking charm (refer to pictures below)

2) R & R in Tainan, taipei, Hualien, and Jiayi

- Soak yourself in one of the world’s only three mud hot springs located in Guan Zi Ling, (Jiayi)

-We’ll bring you to the ancient capital of Taiwan, Tainan, the island’s cradle of culture and traditions, also known as Taiwan’s Kyoto, where we’ll explore Tainan’s local mazu temples, historic streets as well as pay a visit to Chimei Museum, one of the world’s most surprising art collections!

- 2 days, 1 night R&R in Taipei where all the shopping at Ximengdeng, and food-tasting can take place!

-Not to forget, we’ll be visiting several night markets throughout the trip, to fulfill our cravings for mouth-watering delicacies from crispy chicken cutlet, oyster noodles, flavored omelette to icy desserts!!

Itinerary

20th December

Land in Taipei at 11:50am. Boarding the High speed rail and alight at Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung.

Our first night! After dinner, visit Rui Feng Night Market (瑞豐夜市), the biggest night market in Kaohsiung City!

Must-try food at the market:

Grilled squid 烤小卷

Wide range of standard “little eats” (oyster omelettes, marinated meat, tofu & delicious pork chops).

Enjoy games, shopping, and head massages!

21st December

Morning:

Visit the center of Buddhism in southern Taiwan, Fo Guang Shan. Fo Guang Shan is an international Chinese Mahayana Buddhist monastic order based in Taiwan, and one of the largest Buddhist organizations. When you visit Fo Guang Shan, you area not only visiting a temple, but much more than that – monastery, university, meditation center, museum!

Dome Of Lights:

Situated at the Kaohsiung MRT transfer station for the Red Line and Orange Line (Formosa Boulevard Station), the Dome of Light was created by renowned artist Narcissus Quagliata. The dome is the world’s largest public art installation made from individual pieces of colored glass.

R&R, shopping in the central park of Kaohsiung.

22nd December : Tainan

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and was the capital during imperial times. It is famous for its temples, mazu culture, historic buildings and snack food!

Day:

Explore the historic streets of Aping District, Mazu temples

Chimei Museum ( optional )

Established by a passionate patron of the arts, Shi Wen Long, the museum has ”one of the world’s most surprising art collections” (Forbes Magazine) that includes Western art ( painting, sculpture, decorative arts & period furniture), musical instruments, natural history, arms & armor, antiquities & artifacts. Admission is free, and subject to reservation/ appointment.

night:

Hua Yuan Night Market ( 花園夜市)

The largest night market in Tainan, and the largest fully-outdoor night market in Taiwan. Only open on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sunday. Don’t miss it! Crispy and juicy chicken cutlet, mouth-watering omelette and wide choices of icy desserts!

23rd December: Tainan to Chiayi

Depart from Tainan for Chiayi

Guan Zi Ling’s (關子嶺) hot spring is one of the most impressive, and the spring is reportedly one of only three of its type in the world (the other two being in Kagoshima, Japan, and Vulcano, Italy. Soak yourself in a mud pot with benzine-like smell. Isn’t it exciting? It looks sticky, but actually it has powder-like smooth touch and it’s good for your skin! The standard course is to slather on the stuff, let in dry out for a few minutes, then rinse it off in a pool and repeat.

Arrive in Chiayi at night.

24th December: Alishan

Alishan, highest point 2663m, is well known for its sunrises. On a suitable morning, one can observe the sun come up on a sea! Alishan and Sun Moon Lake are, arguably, two of the most well-known scenic spots in Asia.

Night: return back to Chiayi for the night’s rest

25th December: Chiayi To Hualien

Arrive in Hualien and stay-over at one of the cozy B & B inns.

Free & Easy.

26th December:

Day trek at Taroko’s national park, one of Taiwan’s seven National Park.

Depart from Hualien to the park’s entrance via train at Hualien train station.

Along the way, enjoy the spectacular view along Qingshui Cliff from highway to the extended ocean view !!

Alight from the bus at Shakadang Trail (8.8km), also known as the “Mysterious Valley Trail”. Our trek begins!

In between, rest along the trail to enjoy our packed lunch.

Chang Chun Shrine

Bulowan Terraces (Changchun To Bu Luo Wan: 7.7km)

Winding your way up from the main Taroko road, you’ll find yourself in the Atayal aborigine village of Bu Luo Wan, showcasing the arts and crafts of Taroko’s tribal life as it was 3000 years ago in the bulowan.

Jiu Qu Dong Trail

This is the most magnificent part of Taroko Gorge, where the sheer cliffs face each other. During the exploration stage, it is the especially difficult and exciting (or dangerous lols) part to explore. So close to each other (only around 10m wide!), they look like they are joined to each other from afar. This section has the reputation of “Nine Turns of the Coiled Dragon”.

Take the bus back from Jiuqudong to Hualien for a night’s stay.

27th December

Day 2 in Taroko National park: Baiyang Trail (8.8km)

Some tunnels as straight as a pencil with light at the end, others tunnels however are curved such that you will be enveloped in pitch-black darkness for a short time!! Bringing of flashlight is a must. Looking out of the tunnels from within, the lovely green mountain view is like a painting by a master.