5D/4N: Formosan Beauty

From your hotel in Taipei, take the road to Qingshui Cliff on the famous Suhua Highway coastal road, towering over 1,000 meters above the Pacific Ocean.

Before arriving in Hualien, visit ​​Su'ao Township, located in southern Yilan County, Taiwan. It is an urban township that is famous for its seafood restaurants and cold spring.

Qingshui Cliff, located on the section of the Suao-Hualien Highway that stretches between Heping and Chongde stations, is one of the most spectacular sights on Taiwan's Pacific coast. The cliff is more than 1,000 meters high and drops almost vertically into the sea. The highway snakes along its curving face more than 20 kilometers, with the sheer cliff rising on one side and a sheer drop to the ocean on the other.

Before arriving in Hualien, visit ​Shakadang Trail which also known as "Mysterious Valley Trail" and was renamed to "Shakadang Trail" in 2001. This trail is built along the river cliff so travelers can easily observe both the rock folds and plant ecosystem beside in the river valley. After 4.5km, you will arrive at 3D Cabin –phonetic sound Sanjianwu, which is the favorite of visitors. After the first curve there is a deep pool with clear water that has enchanted many visitors. In May, it is the season when Tung tree flowers bloom, making the trail a pleasant flower hallway with flowers filling the air like snow flakes.

Arrival in Hualien and check in at the hotel.

Breakfast at your hotel in Taroko Gorge National Park.
Today you will cross the Central Mountain Range on the Central Cross-Island Highway and enjoy the wondrous high-mountain scenery. Visit the ​Eternal Spring Shrine, also called Changchun Shrine, a landmark and a memorial shrine complex just behind the gate of Taroko National Park. It is one of the major picturesque points of the park, with the view of the mountains and the waterfall, and one of the main memorials for veterans.

The formation of Swallow Grotto was created by the erosion of Liwu River and the constant tectonic collision. Visitors are able to see the sedimentation on the surface by recognising its black and white layers. This is the evidence that Swallow Grotto was used to be under the ocean! With the help of constant tectonic collision that lifted it over the past millions of years, Swallow Grotto is elevated to where it is now.

Swallow Grotto is a relaxing spot where visitors can walk on the trail effortlessly. The trail is composed by a path under cliffs with few caves, therefore safety helmets are required here. Potholes on the surface is another attraction that captures your attention. Formed by the swirl of the river during the erosion process, the holes now serve as the natural shelters for swallow nests. If you visit here after raining, you will also find water coming out from them too.

Swallow Grotto is suitable for all ages, and is alway in mild temperature with cool breeze. If you come here in the early morning or late in the afternoon, you have the chance to see swallows hovering in the air trying to catch insects for their babies.

​The entrance of the Baiyang Trail is located about 300 meters from Tianxiang on the Central Cross-Island Highway. Near Wen Mountain (Wenshan), hikers will come upon the tunnel that is the beginning of the Baiyang Trail. Along the trail there are six tunnels of different lengths that provide a certain frisson as groups feel their way through the semi-darkness. The longer tunnels have solar-powered lights. This trail is particularly popular with locals, for it has an atmosphere of mystery and romance. A turn in the trail at the end of the third tunnel offers an excellent view of Tacijili River, and at the end of the sixth tunnel the truly spectacular goal of the trail, Baiyang Waterfall, comes into view. The water roars as it plunges into the deep pool that it has worn in the rock.

The Baiyang Suspension Bridge offers spectacular views of the waterfall and the river valley. A seventh tunnel leads to a cave behind the falls; because of the danger of falling rocks, this area is closed to the public. Although this trail is not physically challenging, additional clothing may be necessary to ward off chilly air in the vicinity of the Baiyang Waterfall and back takes approximately 1.5 hours.

Drive to the highest point of Taiwan’s highways – Wuling (3,275 meters above sea level) and arrive at Cingjing and dinner in the area.

Your day will start with breakfast at your hotel in the area of Qingjing.
Afterwards, you will get the chance to explore the area of Cingqing and the Swiss Garden, the sheep farm and to pick and eat mouth watering seasonal fruits.

Optional: On the way to Sun Moon Lake, a short stop in Puli; famous for its local wine and traditional paper industry and big temples. 

After arrival in Sun Moon Lake, you will check-in at your hotel.
You will have time to discover Sun Moon Lake and to enjoy the majestic scenery.

There are several activities you can choose of: 
► Cycle round one of the best bike paths in the world: It is about 30 km with hills and will take 3-4 hours with stops at few of the attractions along the way. A local guide will follow you and show the paths;
► Cable car overlooking the lake: on a good day you can enjoy a stunning views of the lake with the trip taking about 7 minutes each way, however in peak times the wait can be hours;
► Formosan Aboriginal Cultural Village;
► Boat tour (Shueishe, Ita Thao and Xuanguang Temple piers);
► Visit Ita Thao: This is the origin of Thao people; it is believed that their ancestors, originally from Alishan, chased a white deer to a faraway lake where they found an abundance of fish. They returned to their homeland, brought the whole tribe, and decided to settle down at Sun Moon Lake, as we call it today. Although tribal life is almost extinct now, a visit to Ita Thao allows you to experience the aboriginal culture and you can taste some delicious aboriginal food too;
► Antique Assam Tea Farm: Shuili Snake Kiln is the town where remains the eldest tradition of kiln-making. There is a biggest kiln work which is in the Guinness Book of Records by the size of 6.68 meters;
► SUP (Stand up Paddling) on the lake

You will have breakfast at your hotel and check out at your hotel. 

Head to one of Taiwan’s best mountain areas, Alishan!
On the way to Alishan, there will be some stops; the area is also famous for its production of high mountain tea and wasabi, notably Tea and carvings and handicrafts made from red cypress. Stop in Elephant Mountain National Scenic area to learn about tea culture and magnificent view.

Lunch will be on the way (not included in the quotation). Your guide will suggest some places on the way.

Arrival in Alishan and check in at your hotel.

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). With the guide, you will then have a walk at the Alishan Forest Recreation Area and meet the thousand’s year old Taiwan cypress tree. On the way back, you can walk down and see the ancient Cypress Trees and you can also take the local train back.

Afterwards, you will go back to your hotel to eat breakfast.

Check out and transfer by car to Chiayi train station.
On the way back, we suggest some stops along the road; there are several train stations with small villages and old street markets as well as stunning plantations tea.

This tour ends at the train station of Chiayi. From there you can take the high speed train to Taipei, Taichung, Taipei, etc. 

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