Deal

Taipei is a fantastic city for families to explore. Its subway system is clean, safe, and efficient, beautiful parks are scattered throughout the city, and bubble tea shops can be found on almost every street corner. Spend your time in Taipei doing what excites you most, whether that’s exploring the fascinating train museum, learning the art of Chinese calligraphy, or trying your hand at making Taiwan’s famous pineapple cakes.

With a local guide, you’ll discover a different side of the city, including a scenic gondola ride up Maokong (Cat Mountain). You’ll also visit the charming village of Shifen, where you’ll write your wishes on a traditional sky lantern before watching it float into the sky, carrying your hopes and dreams.

Give back to the local community by volunteering with the Genesis Foundation. The foundation collects discarded receipts that are entered into Taiwan’s receipt lottery, with any prize money helping fund care and support for people with brain injuries. By joining this effort, you’ll not only help keep the streets clean but also make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and their families.

Everybody loves hot springs, and what’s better than having a hot spring bath in your hotel room? But don’t sit in those waters all day – there’s plenty to see and do on the northern tip of Taiwan. You’ll take a day trip with your guide down the coast to Taroko Gorge, one of only three natural marble valleys in the world. It’s a drive that’s sure to fill your camera reel, the gorge’s teal waters offset by the sheer white cliffs and hillsides.

As beautiful as the drive is, it’s known that some families don’t do well sitting still for too long. So, you’ll stop at Xiangde Temple, a Buddhist monastery high up in the hills with sweeping views out over the gorge. Then, it’s on to Qixingtan beach.

The following day is more hands on – with traditional indigo dying. Create your own souvenirs, wrapping a handkerchief with rubber bands to create a brilliant blue indigo pattern. Next, hop into rubber boots and pick some spring onions before making your own scallion pancakes. The Yilan region is famous for its spring onions and here, you’ll get to cook and taste one of of Taiwan’s signature dishes.

Sun Moon Lake is all about fresh air, lake views, and getting out and about in the great outdoors. Once you arrive from Yilan, you’ll get right into it with a gentle cycle on the elevated bike path – an easy, scenic loop that’s very family friendly. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Wenwu temple, a palatial temple complex that combines Chinese folk religion with Confucianism. Wenwu is especially popular with students hoping for a good grade on upcoming tests.

You’ll take a boat trip across the lake and spend some time in the town of Ita Thao. And if you’re in need of a refuel snack, try a stack of nine frog shaped cakes to share, a local treat based on a statue that shows how deep the lake is currently. If all nine frogs are showing, the water levels are lower than they should be!

Wrap up your time in Sun Moon Lake with a visit to a tea factory. Here, you’ll try all sorts of tea flavoured snacks, and make your own black tea bags to bring home with you. Your guide will then drive with you down out of the mountains to Miyahara Eye Hospital… but don’t worry it’s not time for your eye exam just yet. Instead, you’ll be getting some of Taiwan’s most famous ice cream. In addition to the usual flavours, Miyahara has found flavour inspiration in local fruit and tea. The last bit of the trip back to Taipei will be via the HSR, Taiwan’s swift and convenient high speed rail. Based on the Japanese Shinkansen bullet trains, it’s an experience in its own right.