Your tour begins with an 8.30am pickup from your central Taipei hotel by air-conditioned coach. Soak up the scenery as you drive through New Taipai City, then head into the countryside, winding along mountain roads into the Pingxi district.
After an around 40-minute drive, arrive in Pingxi, a historic
coal mining town that played an important role in Taiwan’s 20th-century coal boom. Start your visit taking part in an age-old tradition – flying a Sky Lantern. The nostalgic ritual is said to bring good health and good fortune, and your guide will explain the origin of the tradition and how it’s become the focal point of the annual Taiwan Lantern Festival.
Continue to Shifen Old Street, a lively street set around the historic Pingxi rail line, which was built in 1918, and now runs as a tourist train, following a scenic route through the Keelung River Valley. Hear how famous Taiwanese movies such as Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s ‘Dust In The Wind’ were filmed here and pose for photos on the atmospheric street.
There’s just time for one more stop before returning to the city – the magnificent Shifen Waterfall, a natural wonder nicknamed the ‘Little Niagara of Taiwan’.
Afternoon tour of Taipei City, which includes the impressive C.K.S. Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum where 5,000 years of Chinese Imperial arts and jade collections are exhibited, Martyrs’ Shrine of traditional architecture and Taipei Handicraft Center.
Evening, Explore the city of Taipei at night and take in some of its most exciting sights on this 3.5 hour night tour. Begin this exciting evening with a delicious and traditional Small Dumpling Dinner at a world famous Ding Tai Fong Restaurant.
From there, visit the ornate and beautiful Lungshan Temple, built in the 18th century by Chinese settlers as a place of worship.
After taking a moment to admire this historic temple, carry on to the Hwahsi Night Market. Look around for a great bargain or simply stroll past countless stands selling food, souvenirs, and even live snakes!
Finally, make your way to the Taipei 101, also known as the Taipei World Financial Centre. Gaze at this massive skyscraper, the world’s second tallest building towering 101 stories above the street. Its unique architecture and impressive height has made it a symbol of Taipei (Observatory entrance ticket NOT included!).
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