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Taiwan by Rail

  • Duration
    8 days
  • Tour Type
    Private Tour
  • Price From
    From $4,780 pp twin share

This Taiwanese odyssey offers the perfect way to explore the captivating combination of old and new, natural beauty and high-tech modernity of this little explored nation. This private tour incorporates two enchanting historic rail journeys, alongside a taster of local life aboard a modern commuter train and also a high-speed line.

You’ll explore Taipei’s intriguing blend of Chinese, Japanese, Southeast Asian and American influences before hopping onto the historic Pingxi line for a day’s rail touring through forested landscapes. The scenic beauty continues at Taroko National Park, a wonderland of towering mountain peaks, sheer gorges, waterfalls and lush vegetation, and the serene beauty of Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's largest lake.

Following the earthquake on April 3, 2024, Taroko National Park and the Cross-Island Highway between Hualien and Sun Moon Lake are currently closed whilst undergoing repairs. Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary for further details.

What's Included

  • All domestic transportation
  • Touring with English-speaking guides and entrance fees
  • All accommodation in 3-4 star standard
  • 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 1 dinner
  • *Please note this trip is not available during national holidays
This adventure is ideal for travellers with less time to spend and who want to see the very best bits of this incredibly diverse destination. We have designed the tour to make the most of the time available to showcase the key highlights and cities of Taiwan.

Why Choose a Wendy Wu Private Tour?

Complete flexibility

Travel on any day you wish

Expertly crafted itineraries

Tailored for parties as small as two.

You Choose who you travel with

A private trip just for you and your chosen travel party.

Personalised guiding

Enjoy the undivided attention of your knowledgable private guide.

Small is beautiful

Enjoy a more intimate and authentic travel experience.

Private Tour Highlights

Our Taiwan by Rail tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine.

Tea-tasting

Enjoy a tea-tasting experience at the Yuyupas indigenous cultural park, part of the Alishan Tea Garden

Alishan Forest Train

Experience the highest narrow-gauge mountain railway in Asia on the Alishan Forest Train

Taipei Night Market

Get a taste for local delicacies at Taipei's night market, famous for a snack-focused street food

Tour Itinerary

B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

  • Day 1
    Arrive Taipei
    Day 1: Arrive Taipei

    Arrive in Taiwan's capital, Taipei, where you will be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel to check in. Depending on your time of arrival, the remainder of the day is at leisure to start soaking up the local culture. Taipei is a laidback and vibrant city that, as well as being packed with the upmarket and ultramodern, is a bastion of Taiwan's wonderfully rick heritage. Its beauty lies in its blend of Chinese culture with a curious fusion of Japanese and Southeast Asian influences.

  • Day 2
    Pingxi Line Tour B L
    Day 2: Pingxi Line Tour

    After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby and head to Taipei railway station by public transportation. Board the train to Ruifang, where you start your guided tour along the scenic 8-mile Pingxi Line. There are 12 stations on Pingxi Line and your guide will recommend the best places to hop on and off to explore the country villages and waterfalls. A stop at Shifen Old Street is a must for all travellers, where you can purchase a sky lantern to carry wishes and hopes for the coming year. After touring, take train back to Taipei and return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

  • Day 3
    Taipei City Tour B L
    Day 3: Taipei City Tour

    Today you will explore Taipei by public transport with your local guide, starting with visit to the National Palace Museum. Start with a visit to the Chiang Kai-Shek (CKS) Memorial Hall, a monument dedicated to the former leader. Inside are various artifacts including two of his Cadillacs, documents and items from his daily life. Take the high-speed elevator to the observation deck on the 89th floor of Taipei 101 for a birds-eye view of Taipei. Later, explore Longshan Temple, and in the evening visit one of Taipei's night market, famous for a snack-focused street food. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

  • Day 4
    Train to Hualien & Explore Taroko Gorge or Hualien B L D
    Day 4: Train to Hualien & Explore Taroko Gorge or Hualien

    After breakfast, an English speaking assistant will accompany you by taxi to the train station for your 2- hour scenic East train to Hualien, with the coastline on the left and mountains on the right. **On arrival meet your English-speaking guide/driver for your tour of Taroko Gorge, the only marble gorge in the world. Enjoy some light hiking in the national park for about 30 minutes - 1 hour, depending on your energy and interest. Explore the stunning Taroko Gorge Gateway, and the Eternal Spring Shrine.** Take the evening train back to Taipei where an English speaking assistance will meet you at Taipeitrain station and transfer you back to your hotel by taxi.

  • Day 5
    Taipei to Sun Moon Lake B
    Day 5: Taipei to Sun Moon Lake

    This morning, meet your English speaking driver/guide and travel approximately 3-4 hours by road to Sun Moon Lake, a designated National Scenic Area, and drive along the lake to indulge yourself in the natural beauty all around, visiting Wen-wu Temple with a beautiful lake view. Also explore the historic Jiji Old Town. Stay overnight at Sun Moon Lake.

  • Day 6
    Sun Moon Lake to Alishan B
    Day 6: Sun Moon Lake to Alishan

    Depart your hotel after breakfast, travelling approximation 2-hours by road to the charming and historic Jiji Old Town. After exploring the towns sights with your guide, continue 1.5-hours to Yuyupas, an indigenous cultural park dedicated to the education of the Tsou Tribe and part of an Alishan tea garden. Enjoy a tea-tasting experience before transferring to your Alishan accommodation for an overnight stay.

  • Day 7
    Alishan to Taipei B
    Day 7: Alishan to Taipei

    This morning, start your exploration of the beautiful Alishan Forest Recreation Park. Enjoy a 30-minute Forest Train experience on the highest narrow-gauge train in Asia as it winds its way through mist-covered mountains, dense forests, and picturesque valleys. Continue your sightseeing around Alishan stopping at natural sights such as the Sister Pond, Brother Tree and Three Generation Tree. This afternoon, transfer 1.5-2 hours to Chiayi train station for your high-speed train approximately 1.5 hours back to Taipei (unescorted on the train). Meet your English-speaking assistant on arrival and transfer to your hotel by taxi for an evening at your leisure.

  • Day 8
    Depart Taipei B
    Day 8: Depart Taipei

    After breakfast and check-out, the day is yours at leisure until it’s time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

+ -
Taiwan by Rail map

Places Visited: Taipei (3N) - Hualien (1N) - Sun Moon Lake (1N) - Alishan (1N) - Taipei (1N)

Download Detailed Itinerary

Tour Dates & Prices

Depart Date Duration Price Booking Options
Any date you wish 8 days From $4,780 pp twin share

Sample Hotels

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Best time to go

City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
14°c
76mm
Taipei
16°c
83mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
14°c
107mm
Taipei
17°c
170mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
16°c
123mm
Taipei
19°c
180mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
19°c
127mm
Taipei
22°c
178mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
22°c
207mm
Taipei
26°c
234mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
24°c
310mm
Taipei
28°c
326mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
24°c
307mm
Taipei
30°c
245mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
24°c
329mm
Taipei
30°c
322mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
24°c
201mm
Taipei
28°c
360mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
22°c
107mm
Taipei
25°c
149mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
18°c
86mm
Taipei
22°c
83mm
City Average Temperate Monthly Rainfall
Sun Moon Lake
15°c
66mm
Taipei
18°c
73mm

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