We wanted to get the most of our limited time in Taiwan so we simplified our lives and booked an arranged 5 days Taiwan Island via Edison Tours
Arrangement was done primarily via email. Booking was fast and convenient; And our tour was hassle free, from beginning to end. We enjoyed Taiwan without worrying of getting lost and wasting our precious time. It was overall relaxing ~ the way all vacations should be.
With less than 20 people (consisting of an American family, an Australian and Malaysian couples and a local Taiwanese family) in our group, our guide did quite well managing his guests.
Our guide would explain everything twice, once in English and once in Chinese. The downside was, I would fall asleep as he mumbles stuff in Chinese until he start talking in English again.
Our tour is inclusive of:
- Taipei hotel pick-up and drop-off via an airconditioned bus with Wifi access;
- A local guide;
- Supply of bottled mineral water to keep us hydrated.
- Entrance to all the attractions we have visited;
- 5 stars hotel accommodation (which includes buffet breakfast)
Our Taiwan Island Excursion Itinerary (with select photos from the hundreds we've taken):
Day 01 Monday:
Taipei－Sun Moon Lake
Taipei－Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area－Round Lake Tour by bus (Ita Thao Village－Ci'en Pagoda－Xuanzhuang Temple－Wenwu Temple)
Hotel: Fleur De Chine, Sun Moon Lake – Mountain View
The Sun, Moon Lake from the Wenwu Temple
Our hotel in Sun, Moon Lake ~ Fleur de Cine!
Wonderful, true 5 stars accommodation.
I enjoyed the in room hot spring. It was a perfect way to relax ones tired muscles after a day of non-stop walking.
The view of the Sun, Moon Lake was splendid!
This view just outside our balcony :P
Sun Moon Lake－Fo Guang Shan－Kaohsiung
Sun Moon Lake－Xiangshan Visitor Center－Fo Guang Shan－Love River－Liuhe Tourist Night Market
Hotel: Grand Hi-Lai Hotel, Kaohsiung
Sun, Moon Lake up close through the Xiangshan Visitor Center.
One of our Taiwan Island Tour highlights ~ the Fo Guang Shan Temple. This is said to be the center of Buddhism in Taiwan. It is a huge complex with endless stairs :P
Finally in Kaohsiung City ~
The Lotus Pond is an artificial lake surrounded by pagodas and temples...
Our favorite is the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Locals enter the Tigers mouth and exit through the Dragons mouth for prosperity and good fortune!
My husband got immediately lucky.
He spotted a fruit stand selling Taiwan mangoes!
Before heading to our hotel in Kaohsiung ~
We found ourselves at the Liuhe Night Market to try local favorite snacks!
Our hotel in Kaohsiung is located at the city center ~ the Grand Hi Lai Hotel. It is a huge hotel connected to a shopping mall. It is very accessible if you are planning a city tour in Kaohsiung.
The view from our room ~ The Kaohsiung Port. It is largest and busiest port in Taiwan.
I love Grand Hi Lai as well, however, we were a bit dismayed by the amateurish and sloppy handling of breakfast turnover the following morning. It was a riot!
There was no attendant and guests were told to look for their own seats.
It really felt like I was in a school cafeteria, even the food was mediocre. So the Grand Hi Lai ~ wasn't really as grand as first thought!
Kaohsiung－Kenting National Park－Taitung (Chihpen Hot Spring Bath) Head for Kenting－Maobitou－Chuanfan Rock－Eluanbi Park (Light House)－Longpan Park－Taitung
Hotel: Hotel Royal Chihpen, Taitung
Our eyes were at spoiled with Kenting-Taiwan's beautiful coastline in this leg of our tour!
At the Maobitou Park ~ Maobitou defines the sea border of Taiwan Straight and Bashi Channel.
Near Maobitou is the Eluanbi Park Lighhouse ~ the southern most point of Taiwan!
At the Hotel Royal Chihpen, Taitung we were treated to an aboriginal show ~ to cap our day!
EDISON TRAVEL SERVICES CO., LTD
Email: edison@ms6.hinet.net
Check also their website for inquiries: www.edison.com
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