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Cox & Kings · Tailor-Made Journey

Taiwan by Rail

10-day private guided rail and road tour across Taiwan

Illustration of Taiwan by Rail

Cox & Kings runs this 10-day private Tailor-Made Journey through Taiwan, starting and ending in Taipei with an English-speaking guide and private vehicle throughout. After two days in Taipei, including the National Palace Museum and Longshan Temple, the trip boards the narrow-gauge Pingxi Line to Shifen Waterfalls and a sky lantern release, then continues by train to Jiaoxi and on to Hualien to visit Tongmen Indigenous Village. Road transfers along the Central Cross-Island Highway carry travellers to Sun Moon Lake for a private motorboat cruise and a walk past tea farms on Mount Maolan, then on to Alishan for a forest walking tour. Day 9 rises early for the Alishan Forest Railway's 'sunrise train' to Chiayi before a high-speed train returns to Taipei. The operator rates the trip's activity level as Moderate, and it suits travellers who want a fixed, guided itinerary mixing several short scenic rail lines with road touring rather than one long train journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • 'Taiwan by Rail' mixes train travel with substantial road transfers; the itinerary describes day 6 to Sun Moon Lake and day 8 to Alishan as drives, not train journeys.
  • The included list states 'accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described' without specifying which meals, breakfast, lunch or dinner, are covered on which days.
  • Only The Grand Hotel Taipei carries a stated star rating (5-star) in the evidence; the other four hotels, Wellspring by Silks, Lakeshore Hotel Hualien, Einhan Taihe Hotel, and Alishan House, have no rating given.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly from the UK to Taipei

    Fly from the UK to Taipei on an overnight flight.

  2. Day 2overnight: Taipei

    Arrive in Taipei, Taiwan

    Taipei is the powerhouse of Taiwan, and the natural starting point for any visit. It's a capital city of leafy parks, boxy high-rises, neon-lit markets and swallow-tailed temples, as well as Taipei 101. Upon arrival, transfer to The Grand Hotel Taipei for 2 nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Taipei

    Taipei

    Enjoy a guided introduction to Taipei. Your city tour includes the National Palace Museum, which explores 8,000 years of Chinese history; Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall; Martyr's Shrine; and Longshan Temple, a place of worship since 1738.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Jiaoxi

    Jiaoxi

    Take the train to the district of Pingxi for a walking tour of Shifen Waterfalls, and to take part in a local tradition: releasing sky lanterns into the air from the bustling Old Street. Afterwards, board a train to Jiaoxi and stay overnight at Wellspring by Silks.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Hualien

    Hualien

    Ride the train to Hualien to visit Tongmen Indigenous Village, home to the Truku people. This area is also known for its natural beauty, seen at nearby Liyu Lake. Afterwards, transfer to Lakeshore Hotel Taroko for the night.

  6. Day 6overnight: Sun Moon Lake

    Sun Moon Lake

    Take the winding road to Sun Moon Lake, following the Central Cross-Island Highway. There will be scenic stops along the way, including at the Wuling mountain pass. Drive along the edge of Sun Moon Lake to visit Wen Wu Temple, Tse En Pagoda and Ita Thao indigenous village. Transfer to Einhan Taihe Hotel for 2 nights.

  7. Day 7overnight: Sun Moon Lake

    Sun Moon Lake

    This morning, enjoy a private motorboat cruise on Sun Moon Lake – one of Taiwan's 13 National Scenic Areas. This is followed by a walking tour up the gentle slope of Mount Maolan, passing the tea farms for which the area is known.

  8. Day 8overnight: Alishan

    Alishan Forest Recreation Area

    Drive to Alishan via Yushan National Park, stopping at Tataka Visitor Centre. This afternoon, your walking tour of Alishan Forest Recreation Area showcases the best of the natural beauty spot. Afterwards, transfer to Alishan Hotel for the night.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Taipei (via Chiayi)

    Taipei

    Rise early this morning to catch the 'sunrise train' to Zhushan Mountain. After breakfast, take the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway to Chiayi, where you transfer to Chiayi Station and catch the high-speed train to Taipei. Check in at The Grand Hotel Taipei for the night.

  10. Day 10

    Fly to the UK.

    Transfer to Taipei International Airport for your flight back to the UK.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4The narrow-gauge Pingxi Line reaches Shifen for a walking tour of the waterfalls and a sky lantern release on the Old Street, then continues by train to Jiaoxi.
  • Day 5A train to Hualien visits Tongmen Indigenous Village, home to the Truku people, and nearby Liyu Lake.
  • Day 7A private motorboat cruise crosses Sun Moon Lake, followed by a walking tour up Mount Maolan past its tea farms.
  • Day 8The drive to Alishan passes through Yushan National Park and the Tataka Visitor Centre before a walking tour of the Alishan Forest Recreation Area.
  • Day 9The 'sunrise train' climbs to Zhushan Mountain, then the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway reaches Chiayi, where a high-speed train returns to Taipei.

Included

  • Accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described
  • Local transfers & sightseeing by private vehicle
  • English-speaking guide throughout
  • Entrance fees where applicable
  • International flights
  • UK departure and overseas airport taxes

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The trip uses the Pingxi Line, a train to Hualien, the Alishan Forest Railway 'sunrise train', and a high-speed train from Chiayi to Taipei, on days 4, 5 and 9; days 6 and 8 are road transfers.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
Cox & Kings runs it as a private Tailor-Made Journey, with an English-speaking guide throughout and sightseeing by private vehicle.
Which trains are used?
The narrow-gauge Pingxi Line, a train from Taipei to Hualien, the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway 'sunrise train', and a high-speed train from Chiayi back to Taipei.
What hotels are used?
The Grand Hotel Taipei (5-star, 3 nights total), Wellspring by Silks in Jiaoxi, Lakeshore Hotel in Hualien, Einhan Taihe Hotel at Sun Moon Lake for 2 nights, and Alishan House in Alishan.
When does it run?
The evidence prices three seasonal tiers: January to March, April to October, and November to December.
How much walking is involved?
The operator rates the activity level as Moderate, with walking tours of Shifen Waterfalls, the tea-farm slopes of Mount Maolan, and the Alishan Forest Recreation Area.

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