8D Love @ Taiwan Alishan

HIGHLIGHTS

Day 1: Singapore - Taipei

Day 2: Taoyuan – Taipei – Shifen Old Street + Sky Lanterns – Shifen Waterfall – Taichung – Miyahara – Fengjia Night Market

【Shifen Old Street + Sky Lanterns】 "Shifen Old Street" is the birthplace of sky lanterns. It is the earliest developed and largest settlement in the mining history of Pingxi. Shifen Old Street and train tracks coexist and are connected. Not only does it have a unique railway style of "trains passing in

front of it", it is also a famous filming location for many singers’ MVs and movies. Today, the old street still retains its old architectural style, with many restaurants and sky lantern craft shops showing new vitality (one sky lantern for four people).

【Shifen Waterfall】The Shifen Waterfall is a famous scenic spot on the Pingxi Line of the Taiwan Railway Branch. Located in the upper reaches of the Keelung River, the Shifen Waterfall is about 20 meters tall and about 40 meters wide. With its magnificent waterfall and majestic momentum, it is the largest water curtain in Taiwan.

【Miyahara】The original Miyahara Ophthalmology Clinic was built in 1927 by Takeo Miyahara, a Japanese ophthalmologist who studied in Germany. It was the largest ophthalmology clinic in Taichung during the Japanese colonial period. Sunrise Group renovated this place, and the appearance retains the structure and arched arcade of original Miyahara Ophthalmology Clinic. In 2010, it was purchased by Sunrise Group and Miyahara Ophthalmology was renovated into a baroque-style dessert shop. Don’t miss the signature ice cream here, as various flavors are made with exclusive recipes.

【Fengjia Night Market】 The largest night market in Taiwan, a great place for a variety of novel, interesting snacks and trendiest clothes at reasonable prices. Try delicious snacks like “cheese potato”, “honey lemon aloe vera”, “paper cake” and etc.

Day 3: Taichung – Nantou. Sun Moon Lake – Wenwu Temple – ChiaYi. Dijiu Suspension Bridge – Tsou Cultural Tribe Village

– Alishan National Forest Recreation Area

【Sun Moon Lake】 Ranked amongst one of Taiwan's top tourist destinations, Sun Moon Lake got its name because its northern precinct resembles the sun while its southern part has the shape of a crescent moon.

【Wen Wu Temple】This temple was built in 1932 to enshrine and worship Confucius, Guan Gong and Yue Fei.

【Dijiu Suspension Bridge】 Also known as the Lovers’ Bridge which situated in the middle of a deciduous forest, with the cascading waters from the river running below. The river is fed by three tall and magnificent waterfalls, with water falling from hundreds of feet from above. The captivating scenery and refreshing air paints a romantic painting and the enchanting bridge is definitely perfect for photo taking.

【Tsou Cultural Tribe Village】The Tsous were the first people to settle in Alishan and are dwindling in their numbers. With deft hands and honed skills, the Tsous recreated a small Tsou tribal village for tourists to explore the rich culture of the aboriginals through participation.

【Alishan National Forest Recreation Area】A renowned scenic spot in Taiwan, 3000m above sea level with boasting cool weather that support a unique eco-system and scenic beauty. Stroll into the mountains, discover the enchanting natural sights such as Sister Pond, Sacred Tree, 3 Generation Trees and Shouzhen Temple among others.

Day 4: *Alishan Zhushan Sunrise (includes Zhushan sunrise viewing train ride) – FenQiHu Train Station – FenQiHu Old Street – Kaohsiung. Liu He Night Market

【Alishan Zhushan Sunrise】 The sunrise at Alishan is what draws throngs of visitors to the mountain's summit in central Taiwan. Take the [sunrise viewing train] from Alishan station to Zhushan Station, the highest train station above sea level. Witness a ball of intense white light bursting into the sky as its majestic glow filtered through the misty clouds circling the mountain peaks. Take a deep breath of fresh air, and admire the beauty of nature.

(*Note: Morning call at about 4am to prepare to witness the spectacular Alishan sunrise. All activities will be subjected to weather conditions in the mountain range and expected sunrise timetable. Please prepare warm clothing. Average 14-24oC in summer and 5-16oC in winter).

【FenQiHu Train Station】 The halfway point along the Alishan Railway. Alishan was one of four major logging areas in Taiwan from the early part of the last century up to about two decades ago. Some of those involved in the forestry industry stayed behind after the logging had stopped, and their descendants continue to pass on the area’s railway history and culture to visitors.

【FenQiHu Old Street】FenQiHui’s old street features souvenirs of its forestry railway heyday including railway lunchboxes and “train cakes”. The shops along this street also sell local products such as Alishan wasabi, high mountain tea and cedar chips and sachets. Do not miss out the famous railway lunchbox when visiting the old street. (Lunchbox at own expense)

【Liu He Night Market】 One of Kaohsiung's liveliest nightspots. This night market is a popular tourist-shopping place and is always busy from dusk to

early dawn. When the night market is open, the street becomes a pedestrian-only area. On weekends, vendors set up a number of dining areas so that tourists can enjoy sit down meals. It features a variety of low-priced snacks and a comfortable and safe dining atmosphere.

Day 5: Kaohsiung. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center – Meinong Hakka Folk Village – Tainan – Beimen Visitor Center

(Beimen Wedding Land): QianLaiYe Store, Beimen Salt Administration office, Beimen Island – Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields – NanTou – Tai-Yi Red Maple Resort

【Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center】 The newly constructed Buddha Memorial Center is built next to the Fo Guang Shan Monastery and serves as a hub for Buddhist education and cultural exchange. The complex faces east and is built along a central axial line. There is the Welcoming Hall, the eight Chinese-styled pagodas that stand for the Noble Eightfold Path, Photo Terrace, Bodhi Square, Memorial Hall, four stupas that symbolize the Four Noble Truths, and the Fo Guang Buddha. (* Will be replacing Fo Guang Shan, if Memorial Center close)

【Meinong Hakka Folk Village】 As a traditional Hakka farming village, Meinong Hakka Folk Village is one of the best preserved in Taiwan. Its residents have carefully kept their traditional Hakka customs and traditions, evident in their unique dressing, music and food. Be greeted by oil-paper umbrellas, and a variety of authentic Hakka goodies.

【Beimen Wedding Land】 The cultural and creative park covers an area of about seven hectares. With the North Gate Visitor Center as the axis, it connects the surrounding Beimen Old Street, Qian Laiye Grocery Store, Yantian, Beimen Branch Office, Crystal Church and other areas. The park has a romantic layout and uses marriage and love as images to create a romantic and beautiful place with a Mediterranean style. The Beimen Crystal Church is one of the art buildings in the park, and it is also the first white crystal church in Taiwan designed with a wedding theme; a crystal church built after the St.Laguna Chapel in Guam, it stands elegantly in the water. The white reflection is like a dream, and you can feel the romance from a foreign country.

【Jingzaijiao Tile-paved Salt Fields】It is the first salt field in the north gate and the oldest existing tile-pan salt field site. Originally the Setong Salt Field during the Qing Dynasty, it was moved here in 1818 and has not been moved since. It is all tile-pan salt field, showing a mosaic. Due to the high

labor costs, the 338-year-old salt drying industry ended in 2002, leaving the salt fields that were originally scattered here abandoned for a period of time.

Later, the salt fields were abandoned in order to continue the salt industry culture. The salt fields have now become the most distinctive scenic spot in

Tainan's coastal area.

Day 6: Nantou – Taipei – Aboriginal Local Product– Handover of guards at Martyrs’ Shrine – Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence – Ximending

【Handover of guards at Martyrs’ Shrine】 The Martyrs' Shrine is located next to the Grand Hotel, leaning against the green hills and facing the Keelung River. Built in the 58th year of the Republic of China (1969 AD), occupies a vast area. The main building is modeled after the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City in Beijing. It is majestic, symbolizing the fearless spirit of the martyrs. More than 10,000 square meters of green grassland surrounds the Martyrs' Shrine, which surrounded by mountains, creating a quiet and solemn atmosphere, which further highlights the solemnity of the building.

【Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence】With exquisite garden landscaping design, chirping insects and birds, and beautiful scenery, it is an excellent

place for leisure and recreation.

【Ximending】Combination of the Japanese, American and Chinese culture has made this place the most fashionable area where funky designs, fashion design, latest software, gaming, has seen this place populated with many teenagers and youngster’s favorite hangouts in Taipei. Besides having so much fun and entertainment, when it comes to food and beverage there is the famous ‘Ah Zhong Noodle’, Bubble Milk Tea and etc.

Day 7: DIY Pineapple Tarts - Tianlu Art Center – Taipei 101 Shopping Mall - Dadaocheng - Dadaocheng Wharf Container Market

【Taipei 101 Shopping Mall】 At 508 meters (1,671 feet) it is the tallest building in the world, and the first skyscraper to break the half-kilometer mark. Taipei 101 has 106 floors (five are below ground), of which the first through fourth above-ground floors are taken up by a huge, classy shopping center (Taipei 101 Mall) packed with expensive designer-label clothing stores and luxury restaurants.

【Dadaocheng】 The most famous street in Dadaocheng is Dihua Street. The shops on the street sell a variety of dry goods, Chinese medicinal materials, woven goods, etc. It is also an important street for new year's goods during the New Year. There are also many city-designated historic sites, such as Taipei

Xiahai City God's Temple, Cisheng Temple, Guzhai, Xinfangchun Tea Shop, etc., which retain traces of history and are all worth visiting.

【Dadaocheng Wharf Container Market】 The container market in Dadaocheng Pier stocks a variety of delicacies. You can enjoy the beautiful

scenery and sunset while enjoying the delicacies. Various activities and performances are also held from time to time

Day 8: Taipei - Singapore

After breakfast, free at own leisure until meeting time for your flight back to Singapore with fond memories of a wonderful holiday with Hong Thai Travel!