4 days ex Kaohsiung - trip code TSCM10
US$800 (single room optional for US$300)
Wandering the gleaming malls or traffic-laden streets of Taipei it’s hard to imagine the lush, tropical landscapes and relaxed pace of life that lie in wait within 90 minutes on the high-speed rail. Through a unique combination of physical, cerebral and spiritual experiences, this short tour will refresh and renew even the weariest of city dwellers. We’ll stay overnight at a monastery, take a bike ride through the pastoral paradise of Meinong, reflect as we soak in hot springs, and round it all off in Taiwan’s cultural capital, Tainan.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Foguangshan
Today we will meet at Kaohsiung High-Speed Rail Station or Airport and then make the short transfer to Foguangshan, Taiwan’s largest Buddhist Monastery. Recently voted by the Times Online as one of the world’s 50 most relaxing escapes, the monastery is beautifully situated on the banks of the Gaoping River. We will have the unique opportunity to experience monastic life firsthand for a day, trying our hand at calligraphy and meditation, and getting to know some of the nuns and monks.
Day 2 | Hot Springs
After an early start to join morning chanting, we’ll take breakfast with the nuns and monks, and then make the short drive north to the beautiful Hakka region of Meinong. Here we’ll explore the lush green countryside by bicycle, riding narrow lanes lined with rice paddies, mango trees and banana palms, interspersed with small settlements holding Qing dynasty courtyard houses. We’ll end the ride with a traditional Hakka lunch and the chance to paint our own miniature paper parasol. From Meinong we drive to our hot spring hotel and have the remainder of the day free to soothe our limbs in the therapeutic waters, surrounded by mountains.
Distance Cycled: 18km
Day 3 | Tainan
This morning we’ll stop in at a local mountain orphanage on the way to Tainan, the island's oldest city which showcases Taiwan’s varied past through its lively temples, colonial remnants and traditional cuisine. On arrival we’ll have a local lunch and then take a walking tour of old city of Tainan, wandering narrow lanes to brightly colored temples. In the evening we’ll head out for a delicious meal of local delicacies as reward for refreshing our mind, body and soul!
Day 4 | Tour Ends
The tour ends after breakfast. From Tainan there are regular High-Speed-Rail (HSR) connections to Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei. Kaohsiung International Airport is also within an hour of Tainan and from here there are international flights to Hong Kong and many other Asian destinations.
NB. The itinerary is subject to change without notice in the case of extreme conditions (see Climate).
4 bookings and more, enjoy a discount
For bookings of 4 or more the tour cost will be discounted to US$700 per person!
Bookings
This tour operates on request with a minimum of 2 passengers
Facts and Information
Style
adventure travel tour
Grasshopper Leader
Your tour leader on this trip will be Simon Foster. Simon has been living in Taiwan for seven years when not on regular guidebook writing work which takes him away on research trips throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
meet Simon
Inclusions
Private transport, tour leader, Meinong bicycle hire and parasol painting, all meals, all entry fees as per itinerary
Group Size
minumum 2
Accommodation
2 nights comfortable hotels, 1 night comfortable monastery!
Meals Included
3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
Difficulty
easy
