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Regent Holidays · Tailor-made

Tour Taiwan by Train

Taiwan's highlights by train, temples, tea farms, hot springs, 13 days

Illustration of Tour Taiwan by Train

Regent Holidays' 13-day Taiwan by Train is a tailor-made journey that moves at a relaxed pace through one of East Asia's most diverse landscapes. Starting and ending in Taipei, the itinerary combines cultural landmarks (Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the National Palace Museum) with five separate scenic train experiences: the historic Pingxi Line through forested hills and valleys, the restored Breezy Blue vintage train on the South Link Line, the narrow-gauge Alishan Forest Railway high in the mountains, and modern regional and high-speed services. Along the way, you will learn tea-making from a local grower in Yilan, soak in Chihpen's natural hot springs, and spend two nights beside Sun Moon Lake exploring temples and lakeside trails. A local guide leads Day 3 in Taipei; the rest are independent, with free afternoons for night markets, cycling, and exploration. Regent Holidays has operated for over 40 years and holds ABTA and ATOL protection.

What to know before you look closer

  • The tour is tailor-made; confirm exact train schedules and meal details with Regent Holidays before booking, as these may vary by departure date
  • Most days are independent travel; only Day 3 in Taipei includes a local guide
  • Accommodation spans a range of hotel tiers (from 3-star Holiday Inn Express properties to the Einhan Resort); final choice depends on your selected tier

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Fly to Taiwan

    Depart the UK on your flight to Taiwan.

  2. Day 2overnight: United Hotel

    Taipei

    Arrive in Taipei, a city where centuries-old temples stand beside sleek skyscrapers and buzzing food markets. After settling in, enjoy time at leisure to explore.

  3. Day 3overnight: United Hotel

    Taipei

    Spend the day exploring Taipei's most iconic landmarks with a local guide: Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, the observation deck of Taipei 101, and the National Palace Museum. The afternoon is free to explore, perhaps a night market.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Lakeshore Hotel Yilan

    Taipei & Pingxi Scenic Train

    Board the local train to Ruifang and continue along the historic Pingxi line, an 8-mile route first built to transport coal, passing forested hills, valleys and waterfalls. Continue onward to Yilan; in the evening, stroll through Luodong Night Market.

  5. Day 5overnight: Lakeshore Hotel Hualien

    Yilan to Hualien

    Begin the day with a hands-on experience at a tea farm that supplies the National Palace Museum. Visit the National Center of Traditional Arts, stop at the Qingshui Cliffs, before arriving in Hualien.

  6. Day 6overnight: Century Hotel

    Hualien to Chihpen

    Travel south along the dramatic east coast, stopping at Sansientai and Siaoyeliou, continuing to Chihpen, a hot spring resort surrounded by forested hills. Spend the afternoon unwinding in the natural hot springs.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Holiday Inn Express Chiayi

    Chihpen to Chiayi

    Board Taiwan's nostalgic Breezy Blue train from Taitung to Fangliao along the South Link Line, a restored vintage train winding through tunnels and over bridges. Continue by road transfer north toward Chiayi, arriving by evening.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Ali-Shan Kaofeng Hotel

    Chiayi to Alishan

    Travel by car into the Alishan Mountains. Take one of the short Alishan Forest Railway routes (Shenmu or Zhaoping Line), then check in and explore the Alishan Giant Tree area on foot.

  9. Day 9overnight: Einhan Resort

    Alishan to Sun Moon Lake

    Rise early to witness the Alishan sunrise over a sea of clouds. After breakfast, travel onward to Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan's most famous natural landmark, arriving in the evening for a two-night stay.

  10. Day 10overnight: Einhan Resort

    Sun Moon Lake

    Set out on a cruise to appreciate Sun Moon Lake's scenery, visit Wen Wu Temple, and walk a lakeside trail. The afternoon is free: hire a bike, take the cable car to the Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, or relax by the lake.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Holiday Inn Express Taichung Fengchia

    Sun Moon Lake to Taichung

    Visit Changhua Train Station, home to Taiwan's historic railway roundhouse, then continue by train to Taichung, Taiwan's creative hub.

  12. Day 12railovernight: United Hotel

    Taichung to Taipei

    Travel by high-speed train through Taiwan's central plains, returning to Taipei. Enjoy free time for last-minute shopping or revisiting favourite spots.

  13. Day 13

    Departure

    Meet your driver for a private transfer to Taoyuan Airport for your onward flight.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Board the Pingxi Line, an 8-mile historic coal-transport railway winding through forested hills, valleys, and waterfalls
  • Day 7Travel aboard the restored Breezy Blue vintage train along the South Link Line from Taitung to Fangliao, navigating tunnels and bridges
  • Day 9Rise early to witness the Alishan sunrise over a sea of clouds before traveling to Sun Moon Lake
  • Day 10Cruise across Sun Moon Lake, visit Wen Wu Temple, and walk lakeside trails with free time for cycling or cable-car rides

Included

  • Return international flights as per the itinerary
  • All taxes and charges
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Transfers as specified
  • Activities and excursions as specified
  • All entrance fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Not included

  • Travel Insurance
  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional excursions

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The from-price of GBP 5,210 (USD 6,958) includes all specified rail journeys: Pingxi Line, Breezy Blue vintage train, Alishan Forest Railway, regional services to Sun Moon Lake, and the high-speed train return to Taipei. Return international flights, accommodation, most meals, transfers, and entrance fees are also included.
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is mostly independent. A local guide leads a full-day city tour in Taipei on Day 3 (Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei 101 observation deck, National Palace Museum). Other days are self-paced, though transfers and activities are arranged.
Which trains will we ride?
Five scenic lines: the historic Pingxi Line (Day 4, 8 miles through forested hills); the restored Breezy Blue vintage train on the South Link Line (Day 7); short Alishan Forest Railway routes (Day 8); regional rail to Sun Moon Lake (Day 11); and Taiwan's high-speed rail returning to Taipei (Day 12).
What is included and what is not?
Included: return flights, accommodation, meals as specified in the itinerary, all transfers, activities, entrance fees, and sightseeing tours. Not included: travel insurance, meals not listed, tips and gratuities, and optional excursions.
How much walking is involved?
Moderate. Days include city walking in Taipei, lakeside trails at Sun Moon Lake, a walk through the Alishan Giant Tree area, and stops at temples and cultural sites. Most travel between regions is by coach, train, or private transfer.
What happens on free afternoons?
Day 2 and Day 12 in Taipei are free to explore markets and revisit favourite spots. Day 5 in Hualien and Day 10 at Sun Moon Lake offer options such as cycling, cable-car rides to Formosa Aboriginal Culture Village, or leisure time by the lake.

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