Taiwan: Bullet Train, Lakes & Ancient Trails — 9 Days
From Taipei's temples to Sun Moon Lake's 27km cycling loop, Tainan's Dutch forts, and Kaohsiung's Buddhist monuments, moving south by high-speed rail.
This nine-day itinerary traces Taiwan's north-south corridor by bullet train, threading together Taipei's urban temple culture, a 7-kilometer coastal hike along the 200-year-old Caoling Trail, a full day cycling Sun Moon Lake's perimeter, and a locally-guided walk through Tainan's banyan-lined streets and Dutch colonial ruins. The route includes a day with Bunan hosts in Shuanglong Village, a crossing of Taiwan's longest suspension bridge to a multi-tiered waterfall, visits to Fo Guang Buddhist Temple and the Dragon-Tiger Pagodas in Kaohsiung, and finishes in Taipei for night-market street food and views from Elephant Mountain. Accommodation is in three-star hotels; transportation relies on Taiwan's high-speed rail for inter-city movement and private van transfers for regional exploration.
Highlights
- Caoling Historic Trail: a 7-kilometer coastal hike on a route established over 200 years ago, with ocean and cliff views
- Sun Moon Lake cycling: a 27-kilometer lakeside loop past pagodas, temples, and the lakeside settlement of Ita Thao
- Shuanglong Village day with local Bunan guides, crossing Taiwan's longest suspension bridge to a cascading waterfall
- Tainan's Anping district: a locally-led walking tour through cobblestone lanes, Dutch forts, and century-old banyan trees
- Fo Guang Buddhist Temple in Kaohsiung: Taiwan's largest Buddhist temple complex
- Dragon-Tiger Pagodas and Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung's Zuoying district
- Bitou Cape Trail on the northeast coast with views of the Golden Waterfalls and Jiufen Old Street's narrow alleys
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial and Elephant Mountain skyline views in central Taipei
- Three high-speed rail journeys connecting Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung
Day by day
1Arrival in TaipeiTaipei
You arrive in Taipei, Taiwan's capital city. After checking in to your hotel and meeting your guide, you have the afternoon and evening to orient yourself at your own pace. The city spans temples, night markets, and contemporary cafés—each a different entry point into how the city moves.
2Caoling Historic Trail and Taipei's Evening StreetsCaoling Historic Trail · Taipei · Taoist temple nestled into the hillside
An early start takes you north of the city to the Caoling Historic Trail, a 7-kilometer route established over 200 years ago that cuts across rolling coastal hills. As you walk, the trail opens to views of the northern Taiwan coastline. At the trail's end, you reach a Taoist temple set into the hillside. Your guide then drives you back to Taipei, where the evening is free to walk the city's neighborhoods and night streets.
3Northeast Coast: Bitou Cape, Golden Waterfalls & JiufenGolden Waterfalls · Bitou Cape Trail · Jiufen Old Street · Keelung's night market
Hike the scenic Bitou Cape Trail for coastal views, then visit the mineral-fed Golden Waterfalls. Wander Jiufen Old Street's narrow alleys before lunch with a view. End at Keelung's legendary night market.
4Sun Moon Lake Cycling LoopSun Moon Lake · Taipei to Taichung · Ita Thao Village · Sun Moon Lake shoreline
The bullet train carries you south from Taipei to Taichung. A private transfer takes you to Sun Moon Lake, where you cycle the 27-kilometer loop. Pass pagodas and temples along the shoreline, then reach Ita Thao Village as sunset approaches. End the day with lakeside food and the relaxed vibe of the waterside settlement.
5Shuanglong Village, Suspension Bridge & Cascading WaterfallShuanglong Village · Taiwan's longest suspension bridge · multi-tiered waterfall · Sun Moon Lake
You travel into the hills of Shuanglong Village to spend the day with local Bunan hosts. Part of the experience includes crossing Taiwan's longest suspension bridge, which spans a deep gorge to reach a multi-tiered waterfall that descends through a narrow canyon. After the day with your Bunan guides and the hike to the waterfall, you return to Sun Moon Lake for the evening.
6Tainan: Cobblestone Lanes and Dutch FortsTainan · Anping
Travel south to Taiwan's oldest city. A locally-led walking tour through Anping reveals cobblestone lanes, century-old banyan trees, and Dutch colonial forts. Visit how Tainan layers history with traditional cuisine—slow down and soak it in.
7Kaohsiung: Pagodas, Temple & WaterfrontDragon and Tiger Pagodas · Fo Guang Buddhist Temple · Kaohsiung waterfront
The high-speed train carries you south to Kaohsiung. Visit the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas overlooking Lotus Pond, then transfer to Fo Guang Buddhist Temple, Taiwan's largest. Spend the afternoon wandering street art and waterfront promenades in this cool, coastal city.
8Return to Taipei: Memorials and Night MarketsTaipei · night market · Chiang Kai-shek Memorial · Elephant Mountain
The bullet train carries you north to Taipei for a final evening. Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, then climb Elephant Mountain for skyline views framing Taipei 101. End at a night market, where stalls offer regional street food and desserts—a last taste of Taiwan's evening culture.
9Departureneighborhood · hotel
Check out in the morning with time for any last shopping or neighborhood exploration before your departure.
Where you go
- 1Taipei
- 2Caoling Historic Trail
- 3Taipei
- 4Golden Waterfalls
- 5Jiufen Old Street
- 6Taipei
Included
- 5-days of private van transportation
- 8-nights accommodation (3-star hotels or alternates)
- 9-days of licensed, bilingual guide
- Full day indigenous village tour with local hosts and lunch
- Half-day, local-led historic walking tour of Tainan
- 9 Meals, all admissions and activities (incl. bike rentals, helmets)
- x3 High Speed Rail (Bullet train) tickets and more!