3-Day Tour of Sun Moon Lake, Puli and Alishan National Scenic Area from Taipei

Explore Taiwan’s countryside and discover its beautiful scenery on this 3-day tour from Taipei. Sit comfortably on board an air-conditioned coach and hear interesting anecdotes and enlightening commentary about the sites you pass. Step off the bus with your guide to walk around the region’s hidden wonders including the town of Puli, picturesque Sun Moon Lake, the extraordinary Alishan National Scenic Area in the county of Chiayi and visit the Southern branch of National Palace Museum.

Itinerary

Day 1: Taipei – Puli – Sun Moon Lake

Stop At: Sun Moon Lake, Zhongshan Rd., Yuchi Township, Yuchi 555 Taiwan
This morning you will depart from central Taipei and head for the heart of the island, Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area.

Before reaching Sun Moon Lake, you will stop by Puli for a lunch break, where excellent quality drinking water is well-known, and that creates a prosperous wine making business. Enjoy a short tour in Puli Winery, and do not miss the chance to try a Taiwanese sausage flavored with Shaoxing Wine!

Sun Moon Lake is the biggest freshwater lake in the island. Divided by Lalu Island, the lake got its name from the unique terrains that look like sun on one side and crescent moon on the other side. The area around the lake is also the home to the Thao people, a group of Taiwanese aborigines.
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

Stop At: Yidashao Pier, Yidashao, Riyue Vil., Yuchi Township, Yuchi Taiwan
Yidashao(Ita Thao), was named Te Hua village after the restoration of Taiwan. It has become the most populous area around the Sun Moon Lake. There are stores, restaurants, and hotels in the village. Also the thao people establishes the "Thao Cultural Village" for tourists to appreciate the traditional culture, songs, and dancing of the Thao Tribe.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Xuanzhuang Temple, No.389 Zhongzheng Road, Riyue Village, Yuchi Township, Yuchi Taiwan
Monk Xuanzang was the Holy Monk in the Tang dynasty. In 1965, the Monk Xuanzang's remains were moved to the Xuanzang Temple after the temple was rebuilt. There is a bell in front of the main gate,called "wake up bell." If you prefer quiet atmosphere, Xuanzang temple is the best places for you.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Ci'en Pagoda, Yuchi Township, Yuchi 555 Taiwan
Ci-en Pagoda was built by Chiang Kai-Shek in memory of his mother in 1971. The Ci-en Pagoda is 46 meters in height and has become the famous landmark of Sun Moon Lake. Surrounding the tower are beautiful plants and trees and there are stone tables and chairs for visitors to take a rest.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Xiangshan Visitor Center, No.599, Jhongshan Rd., Yuchih Township, Yuchi Taiwan
The Xiangshang Visitor Center is both for tourism and administration use. The uniquely designed building has wood-patterned exteriors and wings that stretch like human arms embracing the earth. In addition, the two giant canopy structures, 34 meters long and 8 meters tall each, allow people to enjoy beautiful views of the Sun Moon Lake from the top.
Duration: 20 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Hotel Fleur de Chine - Mountain View Room(5-star), Sun Moon Lake or equivalent

Day 2: Sun Moon Lake - Alishan

Stop At: Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, No. 59, Zhongzheng Vil., Alishan Taiwan
After breakfast you will depart for Alishan National Forest Recreation Area and enjoy a forest bathing.

Alishan National Forest Recreation Area is located in Chiayi County, covering an area of 1,400 hectares that includes the most popular hot spots in this county.

Today you will take a relaxing walk and experience a nature therapy in the misty and dreamy forest. Start with a train ride from Zhaoping Railway Station that was built a century ago, and enjoy the stunning view along the railway. After lunch, you will stroll through the forest and stop by Shouzhen Temple, Sister Ponds and admire the Giant Sacred Trees.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Alishan Shenmu Area, No. 17, Xianglin Vil., Alishan Taiwan
This Formosan red cypress is the tallest and oldest of the trees on the Giant Tree Plank Trail.

It has a girth of 13.1 meters and is 43.5 meters tall; it is estimated to be around 2000 years old. The tree also hosts Rhododendron kawakamii, the fern Oleandra wallichii (Hook.) Presl and other plants native to Taiwan.

Duration: 40 minutes

Stop At: Shouzhen Temple, No.45, Xiang Lin Village, Alishan Township, Alishan 606 Taiwan
Shouzen Temple is the largest temple in the Alishan area, restored in 1969. The main gods worshiped here are the Syuantian Emperor, the Fude God and the Jhusheng Goddess.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Nice Prince Hotel(5-star), Chiayi or equivalent

Day 3: Chiayi - Taipei

Stop At: Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum, No. 888, Gugong Blvd, Taibao City, Taibao 612 Taiwan
After breakfast, you will depart for the last stop of this tour – the South Branch of the National Palace Museum.

Surround by man-made lakes, the South Branch is located in a quiet and secluded area, about 30-min drive away from the downtown. This is a peaceful place to house the treasures of Chinese emperors, where the visitors can take their time and appreciate beauty of the art crafts.

The South Branch was established in order to achieve a balance of cultural resources between the North and the South of Taiwan.

After lunch, you will head back to Taipei and arrive in the hotel later this afternoon.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.