Day one begins with a high-speed train ride down the west coast on Taiwan’s efficient high-speed rail. With a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour, you’ll reach the southernmost city, Kaohsiung, in less than two hours. We’ll save cultural exploration for tomorrow; today, we’re hitting the beach in Kenting, a picturesque beach town located at the island’s southern tip. After checking into a beachfront resort, we’ll have the rest of the day to swim, hike, or just soak up the rays. When the sun goes down, you will be able to experience the beach town's night markets, drinks and massages.

Kenting National Park

After experiencing the passionate fascination of the southern island, we'll head to the sparsely populated part, where you should not only expect beach-oriented activities. Digging into much more local insight from grassland, seashore flat view, and sandy landscape to the hidden aboriginal village culture is beyond your imagination.

Kaohsiung

Leaving the beach is hard. We'll leave some spare time to get in a morning swim before checking out. Then on the way back north, we'll stop in the old town of Hengchun to visit one of the last remaining Qing-era city walls left in Taiwan. After lunch, we'll head back to Kaohsiung City. Visit the walled town of Hengchun and explore the Weiwuying National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. End the day with fun by making Taiwan's traditional cookies by yourself.

Tainan

After breakfast at our hotel, the spiritual portion of our journey begins. We'll head first to the stunning Fo Guang Shan Monastery, a vast religious complex containing eight pagodas (each dedicated to a specific virtue) and grand meditation halls, all overlooked with loving grace by a 108-meter-high statue of the Buddha. Then head to the ancient capital of Tainan, where will explore the spectacular historic sites and alleyways, including the island's oldest Confucian temple. Also, food will be an essential part particularly when you are in the well-known city of gastronomy in Taiwan.

Tainan

The tour continues with an exploration of Tainan's most historic Anping district. We'll visit a castle and fortress dating back to Dutch colonial days and go inside (yes, inside) an ancient Banyan tree. Afterward, head to the hot-spring (and mud-spring) resort of Guanziling for relaxation, rejuvenation and exfoliation before returning to Taipei.