Taiwan's Top Three 5 Day Private Tour (Classic)
HIGHLIGHTS
- • Discover Taiwan’s top scenic and cultural destinations: Jiufen, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan
- • Wander the lantern-lit stairways and nostalgic charm of Jiufen Old Street
- • Cruise across the tranquil waters of Sun Moon Lake and visit lakeside temples
- • Experience the sunrise and sea of clouds from Alishan’s forested mountain trails
- • Taste authentic Taiwanese flavors—from street snacks to indigenous and local cuisines
- • Learn about Taiwan’s vibrant history, nature, and culture from your expert private guide
Note: Due to damage from a recent earthquake, Taroko Gorge will be closed for an extended period. In its place, we’ve thoughtfully redesigned the itinerary to highlight Jiufen, a mountain town rich in atmosphere and history, and a cultural stop in Hsinchu( the hometown of TSMC!) ensuring you still enjoy an unforgettable Taiwan journey.
See the best of Taiwan with three unforgettable destinations
Discover the full spectrum of Taiwan’s beauty and heritage on this five-day private journey that highlights the island’s most iconic landscapes and charming towns.
We begin with a visit to Jiufen, a picturesque hillside village known for its old-world teahouses, glowing lanterns, and breathtaking views of the sea and mountains. Next, travel to Sun Moon Lake, a peaceful alpine lake surrounded by temples, hiking paths, and indigenous culture. From there, venture into the forested peaks of Alishan, where ancient cypress trees, scenic railways, and world-famous high-mountain tea await.
Along the way, we’ll also stop by Hsinchu, one of Taiwan’s oldest cities, where you’ll explore historic temples and experience the city’s mix of tradition and modern creativity. Throughout the journey, you’ll stay in carefully selected 3- and 4-star hotels and enjoy delicious local cuisine, all while being guided by a passionate and knowledgeable local expert.
Whether it’s your first time in Taiwan or you’re returning to explore deeper, this curated itinerary offers the perfect balance of culture, scenery, and relaxation.
Related Article: Alishan: Where the Sun Starts Its Day
▴ Explore central Taiwan's most beautiful spots
▴ Day 1: Wander the lantern-lit stairways and nostalgic charm of Jiufen Old Street
▴ Day 2: Stop by Hsinchu Chenghuang Temple, one of the oldest and most historically significant temples in Taiwan
▴ Day 3: Discover the magic of Sun Moon Lake with a boat ride, cycling, and hiking.
▴ Day 4: Take a ride on the narrow gauge Alishan mountain rail.
▴ Day 5: Enjoy the sunrise in Alishan, for it’s only at this time of day that you’ll be treated to a view of the “sea of clouds."
▴ Day 5: Sip tea with a view at Alishanwin Tea House
ITINERARY
Day 1 / Taipei – Jiufen
Our journey begins with a scenic drive to Jiufen, a charming hillside town known for its nostalgic atmosphere and breathtaking mountain-sea views. Once a prosperous gold-mining town, Jiufen is now famous for its red lantern-lit alleys, tea houses, and stair-stepped streets that inspired scenes in the beloved animation Spirited Away. As the sun sets and mist rolls in from the ocean, Jiufen reveals a mystical charm that captures the imagination. Spend the night soaking in this dreamlike setting and discover the town’s unique blend of history, folklore, and scenic beauty.
Day 2 / Jiufen – Hsinchu – Taichung
After breakfast in Jiufen, we begin our westward journey toward Taichung, stopping en route in Hsinchu, a city rich in cultural heritage. Our main stop is the Chenghuang Temple, built in 1748, which served as a spiritual center even before most government institutions were established in northern Taiwan. This historic temple also survived religious purges during the Japanese era, making it a rare architectural gem. Just across the street, explore Shinzhou House (OR house), a 1930s department store turned creative space that now blends vintage charm with modern flair. After enjoying some local
Day 3 / Sun Moon Lake
Head to the Sun Moon Lake area and start exploring Sun Moon Lake to the fullest. We'll travel across the lake on a pleasure boat, hike through a magnificent grove of climbing bamboo, and visit the serene Xuanguang temple, a major pilgrimage site for followers of the Buddhist faith. We'll have great meals, and do a cycling trip around the lake (listed as one of the top ten cycling routes in the world by CNN Travel) before heading back to our 4-star hotel.
Day 4 / Sun Moon Lake to Alishan
On the journey's fourth day, we'll say goodbye to Sun Moon Lake and head deeper into the mountains. Our goal for the day is the Alishan scenic area, but the landscape through which we’ll be passing is so beautiful that we’ll take our time, stopping for a meal with a great view first followed by a visit to a well-known tea farm, where we’ll walk a trail passing through some of Taiwan’s most beloved tea fields. Once we get to Alishan, we’ll take a ride on the narrow gauge Alishan mountain rail before checking in for the night.
Day 5 / Alishan to Taipei
It's the final day of the tour, and you may either get up early to enjoy the sunrise or simply enjoy the beautiful morning at the hotel (The hotel is right inside of the national park; nature is in your footstep). After breakfast, you can check out and take the forest train to go for a walk through the high mountain forests of the area, including past a cypress tree that’s said to be a thousand years old. After lunch, we’ll wave goodbye to the mountain and head back to Taipei City.
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Pick-up from your accommodation in Taipei -
Wander the winding alleyways of Jiufen Old Street, known for its vintage teahouses, lantern-lit staircases, and nostalgic flair -
Experience the mountain-meets-sea scenery that gives Jiufen its timeless cinematic appeal
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Stay at a charming local boutique B&B in Jiufen (DOUBLE/TWIN) or equivalent
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Breakfast at hotel -
Stop by Hsinchu Chenghuang Temple, one of the oldest and most historically significant temples in Taiwan
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Discover the revitalized Shinzhou House and sample local snacks in the temple’s bustling food street
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Arrive in Taichung and check in to a centrally located 4-star hotel
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Stay at 4-star La Vida HotelTaichung (DOUBLE/TWIN) or equivalent
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Breakfast at hotel
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Morning tour of Wenwu Temple
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Pleasure boat ride from Ita Thao Wharf
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Bicycle ride around lake
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Accommodation: 4-star Sun Moon Lake Hotel ( Standard Lakeview Room) (DOUBLE/TWIN) or equivalent
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Breakfast at hotel
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Enjoy the scenic mountain drive as we drive all the way up to over 2000 meters high
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Visit the tea farm with stunning view and sample the famous high mountain oolong tea
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Enter into Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and check into the hotel -
Accommodation: 3-star Alishan Yinshan (DOUBLE/TWIN) or equivalent
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(Optional) Get up early to see the sunrise (Without tour guide)
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Early breakfast at hotel
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Take the high mountain train and enjoy the vibe of old times
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Further hike through the verdant forests of Alishan and enjoy the mountainous scenery
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Tea with a view at Alishanwin Tea House
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Return to Taipei
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Meal :
Breakfast : 4 | Lunch : 0 | Dinner : 0 -
Duration :
5 days 4 nights -
Pick-up :
At your accommodation in Taipei city
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Drop-Off :
At your accommodation in Taipei city -
Group Size :
1-6 people -
Language :
English
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DETAILS
Inclusions
- •A professional English speaking guide or driver guide
- •Four nights stay at 3 and 4-star hotels
- •Admission to all venues
- •Breakfasts (4 days)
- •All transportation including 5-seater sedan / 8-seater van and driver
- •Travel insurance
Exclusions
- •Optional activities not mentioned in itinerary
- •Lunches & Dinner
- •Gratuity
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made between 30 and 15 days prior to departure will receive a 70% refund.
Cancellations made between 14 and 7 days prior to departure will receive a 50% refund;
Cancellations made less than 7 days prior to departure are non-refundable.
REVIEWS
We will certainly tell our friends the best way to see the sights in Taiwan
The highlight of our visit to Taiwan was the MyTaiwan tour to 3 of the most spectacular natural wonders of the country: Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, and the Alishan area, but a huge part of why we enjoyed it so much was because our tour guide, Bill Wang, was also spectacular. For one thing, he knows a great deal about the landscape and history, and is a wonderful story teller. He clearly loves what he does and it is contagious. He seemed to enjoy our questions, no matter how many, and we had great conversations. He'd give some information, and the question in my head was always why, but I didn't have to ask because he posed his own why, and answered himself with enthusiasm. I'm learning Chinese, and he helped me a lot, especially with fine points I could not get from my text books. He is also a very good driver and patient with difficult situations like fog on mountain roads, and heavy traffic in Taipei at the end of the journey, and he remained cheerful through all of that. He was very attentive to our needs and wants. If we wanted to linger some place that wasn't on the itinerary, no problem, he easily changed plans according to our desires. He was attentive in other ways too. When I had a cold and couldn't find a decongestant easily nearby, Bill came out of his hotel to see if I needed to go to a doctor. It was just a cold! Everyone was so kind, assembling fruit drinks, hot tea, fresh fruit. It was hard to say goodbye at the end of the journey, because we felt like good friends by then. So we were very pleased with our tour and so lucky to have had Bill for a guide. We will certainly tell our friends the best way to see the sights in Taiwan.- 1
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845991-YKHZA
We really enjoyed our 5 day tour with Bill Wang! He was very knowledgeable about every place we visited, cracked funny jokes, and had a very warm and welcoming personality. We would highly recommend him to our English speaking friends if they come visit Taiwan!