Taipei city break

Arrive in Taipei, meet hotel representative and transfer to hotel. You can explore the Ximending area in Emei and Hanzhong street (pedestrian area).

Pick up from hotel, we start tour to Taipei city center. We visit Long Shan Temple, one of the oldest, popular and often lively plasces of worship is Longshan and Dragon Mountain temple in Wanhua in the old town.Dedicated to the Guanyin Buddha and Taoist goddess Mazu and local divine spirits, it is one of the finest examples of 1738 temple architecture in Taipei. The Huaxi tourist night market and Bopiliao old Street arejust a short walk away. Then visit National Taiwan Museum. Continue drive to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial hall. The impressive white marble hall with its blue glazed roof towers over 25 hectares of graceful pavilions, ponds and landscaped gardens in which red flowers reflect the colors of the Republic of China flag. You havelunch at Din Tai Fung (on your own expenses around 700 NT per person estimate), one of the top rated yet affordable restaurants in Taipei. After lunch, we visit The Martys’ Shirne situated along the Keelung river. The memorial built in 1969 offers you a glimpse of the history of the Republic of China over the past century. Also a well know ‘Changing of the Guard’ on the hour between 9am and 4pm gives you a chance to take close up pictures. The Baoan Temple, is one of Taipei’s three impressive temples, yet not as crowded as the others. It dates from the mid 18th century and has been restored and merited as a Unesco world heritage site. The last stop at Taipei 101. A top brands shopping mall adjoins the five lower floors. The highest-roofed coffee house in Taipei and many fine restaurants are on the spacious fourth floor. During good weather and visibility, you can go up to the 89th floor for a city view and use the audiovisual guide to learn about your areas of special interest. The fastest elevator in the world takes you to the top in 37 seconds. Return to hotel late afternoon.

Pick up from hotel, we have tour to Taiwan’s old gold and copper mining villages on the Northeast coast. We drive to Xinbei or New Taipei, visit the district of Shenkeng offers a nostalgic old street along the river. Formerly a coal mining area, tourists now flock to the restored rural street to sample tofu specialities and local snacks, or relax at the tea house. Then visit Shifen Falls, the wide and sometimes roaring Shifen curtain waterfalls and its riverside trails offer a view of the upper reaches of the Keelung river. A visit to the stops along the Pingxi railway line and the rugged terrain would take most of your day. The Pingxi village is known for its sky lantern festival two weeks after Chinese new year, but sends lanterns with personal wishes skyward every day. Then next stop is Gold Falls, sand sparkles like gold in the sunlight, along the Jinshui road leading up to Jinguashih. Here iron, copper and minerals in the water and stream bed oxidize to a fine golden-yellow sand which floats into the Yinyang sea.
The Gold Museum displays the largest gold bar in Taiwan and a preserved mine tunnel from the Japanese area. Continue head to Jinguashi was the center of copper and gold mining and processing in Taiwan, as well as a Japanese camp for 1900 Allied POW’s. Now the quaint old village built of closely-packed houses clinging to a steep mountain side offers enchanting scenery and fascinating glimpses into the lifestyles of the past. In nearby Jiufen, the old gold mining village is now the best place to sample local food, browse in shops, and enjoy tea a with a view of the panorama of the North Coast. Stroll down Jishan old street and the steep steps of Suqi Road, past the old cinema and tea houses. Lunch at A-Mei Teahouse(on your own expenses around 700 NT per person estimate), this one is the most visible with its red lanterns and red paper calligraphy around the doors and on the walls along the Suqi steps. It was inspired by the Japanese anime movie ‘Spirited Away’. The open air terrace offers a wide view of the Northeast coast. Next we travel to Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market is famous for its almost 24 hour food street, as well as the Dianji temple after which it is named. More booths are set up on Ai 4th road after sunset to complete the night market. Take a stroll through the market selling clothes, shoes and small items. Walk or drive up to the white Guanyin Statue in the Zhongzheng park overlooking Keelung port. It is the perfect spot to view ships and the ‘Keelung’ sign from above the town and the hills surrounding the harbor.

Morning, transfer to the airport for departure. Have a safe trip.

B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner