Today we’ll leave the crowds behind for the quiet southeastern corner of Pingtung, home of the indigenous Paiwan people. We’ll take an easy hike through the coastal grasslands of Xuhai, then take in the sweeping views over Mudan Bay. Your guide will share stories of the Paiwan villages that have lived along this coast for generations. In the afternoon, we’ll stand at the southernmost point of Taiwan before driving back to Kenting along the southern coastline, one of the most scenic drives on the island.

Leaving the beach is hard, so we’ll leave time for one last morning swim before checking out. Heading north, we’ll stop in the old town of Hengchun, whose Qing-era city walls are among the best preserved in Taiwan. In Kaohsiung, we’ll visit the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts—Weiwuying, a performing arts center on a former military training ground, designed by Dutch architects Mecanoo. Later, we’ll head to Lotus Pond to see the Spring and Autumn Pavilions and the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Local belief says that walking in through the dragon’s mouth and out through the tiger’s turns bad luck into good. After checking in at Hotel dùa, enjoy a free evening. Take a stroll through the Pier-2 Art Center, or eat your way through Liuhe Night Market.

After breakfast, we’ll visit Fo Guang Shan, one of Taiwan's largest Buddhist monasteries. Its grand halls and eight pagodas lead up to a 108-meter Buddha statue overlooking the grounds. We’ll then head to Tainan, Taiwan’s capital for more than two centuries, to explore historic sites and old alleyways, including the island’s oldest Confucian temple. Tainan is also known as the food capital of Taiwan, so come hungry.

Our last day begins in Anping, Tainan’s oldest district. We’ll visit Anping Old Fort, first built by the Dutch in the 17th century, then step inside (yes, inside) the Anping Tree House, an old trading warehouse overtaken by banyan roots. Afterward, we’ll head into the hills to the hot spring town of Guanziling for a soak in its rare mud springs. Our tour ends at Chiayi HSR Station, where you’ll board the High Speed Rail back to Taipei.