Taiwan Tour
Separated by the Taiwan Straight, the Island of Taiwan is located about 180 km off the southeastern coast of mainland China. Taiwan is a beautiful island with a long history and splendid culture. Taipei in the north and Kaohsiung in the south are the two springboards to jump off for further exploration into the island.
We at Tour-Beijing arrange private and tailor-made tours covering the major places and essential attractions in Taiwan. We also offer car rental with driver and hotel booking service for those who prefer to travel in their own way.
Taiwan Tourist Map |
Taiwan Escorted Tour & Tailor-Made Tour
|
|||
Visit Taiwan? Just tell us the things you want to see and do, the hotels you want to stay, we will customize a tour to fit your travel needs. You will receive our proposed itinerary with estimated tour cost within 24 hours. Create My Own Taiwan Trip |
Taiwan Travel Information
When to Visit
Taiwan features a subtropical and tropical climate with four seasons. Basically it is warm all year round. It rains a lot thought out the year. It tends to be hot and humid from March to May; typhoons hit the island from June to September. Winter is chilly but without snow and lasts from December through February. So April and November are the best time to visit Taiwan when it is mild and comfortable with relatively less rain and without typhoons. You will expect clear skies for most of the days. It is dry and not so humid; warm and not hot.
Get There & Around
You can enter Taiwan either by flight or boat. There are two major international airports in Taiwan: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport close to Taipei and Kaohsiung International Airport as well as small-scale airports in Taichung and Hualien. There are regular ferry boats operating between Hong Kong and Keelung, and Kaohsiung; between Fuzhou ( mainland China ) and Matsu in Taiwan and from Matsu, there are two daily ferries to Keelung in Taiwan; between Xiamen (mainland China) and the island of Kinmen, anmd Keelung.
There are two large seaports in Taiwan - Keelung Taiwan Cruise Port and Kaohsiung Cruise Port. Each year many passengers visit Taiwan by taking cruise ships.
Taiwan has 2 train systems: Taiwan High Speed Rail ( HSR,高鐵) and Taiwan Railway Administation (TRA,台鐵), forming a loop railway line circling the island. Taiwan has expansive loop networks of highways along the island and more.
By Flight
Located about 40 km the southwest of Taipei, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (台灣桃園國際機) (IATA: TPE) is the largest airport in Taiwan. It offers many flights to major Asian cities as well as flights from mainland China and North America.Kaohsiung International Airport(高雄小港國際機場) (KHH) operates both domestic and international flights including Hong Kong, Tokyo Narita, Singapore, Bangkok...etc as well as flights from mainland China.
Taipei Songshan Airport (臺北松山機場) (IATA: TSA) is an airport near the downtown of Taipei. It has many flights from mainland China and serves domestic flights also.
Taichung Airport (台中機場)(RMQ) operates domestic flights as well as international flights including Hong Kong and Vietnam. It also serves cross-strait charters to mainland China.
Hualien Airport (花蓮機場)(HUN) offers domestic flights as well as some international charter flights including Japan, South Korea (ROK) and Macau. It lalso serves the flights from mainland China.
Ferry and Ports
There are two large seaports in Taiwan - Keelung Taiwan Cruise Port and Kaohsiung Cruise Port. Each year many passengers visit Taiwan by taking cruise ships. Every year there are routine cruises docking at Taiwan for a brief visit on their Asian cruise trips. Keelung Taiwan Cruise Port is not far from Taipei. The port itself offers various activities. It is a jump-off board to explore Taipei and other cities in Taiwan.
Kaohsiung Cruise Port serve many shorter cruises from Hong Kong and international cruises. It is easy to travel from the port to the downtown of Kaohsiung.
By train
Taiwan has 2 train systems: Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR,or HSR,高鐵) and Taiwan Railway Administation (TRA,台鐵), forming a loop railway line circling the island. THSR (高鐵) is a high speed train line starting from Taipei in the north and Kaohsiung in the south, totaling 345 km with a ride in 90 minutes. In addition to Taipei and Kaohsiung, it also stops at Banqiao,Taoyuan, Hsinchu,Taichung, Chiayi and Tianan.
TRA( 台鐵) serves the stations scattered in major cities. Many of the train stations are located in the downtown areas which are convenient to passengers using various types of transportation. But sometimes, especially on weekends the trains tend to be slow due to the fact that the train network bypass the highways which are very crowded on weekends.
By bus
Taiwan has a reliable network of loop expressways and central highways linking all the cities and counties around the island. Traveling by long-distance buses are generally more money-saving than taking trains. But on weekends and holidays, taking intercity-buses tend t be slow and tickets are easily sold out. Each city has its own local buses. But taking a local bus is still a bit daunting for foreigners. Many of the bus stations are all in Taiwanese though some signs on bus front windshield glass are in English. You'd better prepare for a card with your destination in Chinese.
By Metro
Both Taipei and Kaohsiung have metro systems and Taichung Metro is under construction. Taipei Metro is a bit daunting and complicated for foreign travelers. Kaohsiung Metro, also known as KMRT is relatively easy to handle. If you stay in Taiwan for quite a few days, you may purchase metro transportation passes known as Taipei EasyCard or Kaohsiung 1-Pass. These cards are available at metro stations, train stations and convenience stores.
By Taxi
Taxis are available at the major cities in the island. it is quite convenient to take a taxi on the streets and very often the taxis will follow you for business before you try to hail them. Most of the cabs are in standard yellow colors. Basically it is unnecessary to call for a taxi. You can easily identify a vacant taxi by a red LED light . To hail one, just put your hand in front of you parallel to the ground.
Before you get on a taxi, get ready for smaller denomination bills on hand. Generally drivers are reluctant to exchanging large bills.
Major Cities and Top Attractions in Taiwan
Many cities and towns are located along the most livable western coast of Taiwan as well along the eastern coast facing the Pacific Ocean. The two largest cities are Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan in the north while Kaohsiung, the famous seaport city in the south. Taiwan is also home to great natural wonders - high mountain ranges, beautiful beaches and mesmerizing national parks and rich in hot springs.
1. Taipei (臺北 or 台北)
Taipei is the economic, political and cultural center of Taiwan. The Greater Taipei metropolitan area is composed of the central Taipei City ass well ad the surrounding New Taipei City and Keelung.
Taipei 101(臺北 101)
The capital city is home to the world- famous skyscraper, Taipei 101. This 101-floor, 508-meter high skyscraper is in the Xinyi District of Taipei
The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂)
It is the most important symbol of Taipei. The memorial comprises a large bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, guided over by honor guards who are changed every hour in a rifle twirling ceremony.
The National Palace Museum (故宮博物院)
It's a must-visit for first time visitors to Taipei. It keeps the best collections from Forbidden City in Beijing. It is the world's best collection of Chinese historical artifacts and antiquities.
The Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國父紀念館)
The museum is dedicated to the founding father of the Republic of China - Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The building was completed in 1965 in memory of the 100th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen.
Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園)
It perches on a mountain range overlooking Taipei and located to the northeast of Taipei. The park is dotted with many hiking trails, a wonderful place to escape from the bustle and hustle of Taipei.
2. New Taipei City (新北市)
New Taipei City is the largest city in Taiwan with the typical features of Taiwan cultures. It surrounds the city of Taipei and mainly comprises urban districts of Banqiao and Xinzhuang to the idyllic Tamsui and Wulai.
Lin Family Mansion and Garden (林本源園邸)
Lin Family Mansion and Garden is one of the best epitomes of Qing era Chinese architecture in Taiwan. it is located in Banqiao District and free of charge.
3. Hsinchu (新竹)
Hsinchu, literally "New Bamboo City", is a city in northern Taiwan. It is well known for its Hsinchu Science Park dubbed as "Silicon Valley of Taiwan". It is home to world-leading semiconductor manufacturing companies.
The city of Hsinchu is a combination of the modern and ancient culture. Hsinchu has many forward-thinking, advanced high-tech companies from around the world. Hsinchu is also home to a historic moat flows through central parks and green space and the Guan Di Temple featuring the city's ancient Chinese culture.
Shei-pa National Park (雪霸國家公園)
It is a park with expansive mountains and rivers with great hiking trails. It features magnificent mountains, creek valleys, rare animals and plants.
4. Puli (埔里,埔里鎮 )
Puli Township is an urban township in the northern Nantou County, Taiwan. Puli is the geographic center of Taiwan. It is a jump-off board to explore the central mountains and Sun Moon Lake.
Sun Moon Lake (日月潭)
It is perched at 762 m in high mountains in Nantou County. The lake is noted for its limpid blue water and mesmerizing mountain backdrop.
5. Hualien (花蓮)
Located on the eastern coast, Hualein is one of the most the most pleasant and beautiful cities Taiwan's cities. Many people come to Hualien for purpose of visiting Taroko Gorge.
Taroko Gorge (太魯閣)
Taroko is a marvelous place with magnificent gorges with many hiking trails. Temples are built into the mountains and rope bridges over rivers. It is a two-hour's drive from Hualien to Taroko Gorge.
6. Kaohsiung (高雄)
Kaohsiung is the second-largest city in Taiwan. It is also an industrial city with a large seaport and the second largest airport in Taiwan.
Cijin District (旗津, Qijin)
It is a slender island of Kaohsiung harbor. It is also a natural breakwater for the harbor. The district is peppered with seafood eateries and restaurants serving freshly caught seafood. Cijin is linked to the rest of Kaohsiung City by underwater tunnels. In addition, you can reach Cijin by the public transport of ferries.
7. Keelung (基隆)
Located only about a half hour's drive from downtown Taipei, it is the center of transshipment in the north with a nice cruise port.
8.Taichung (臺中 or 台中)
Taichung is the third largest city in Taiwan. It boasts numerous interesting attractions and activities. You may visit the world-class science museum and enjoy hiking in the nearby hills. There are also many famous night markets. You can enjoy yummy food and drink, and find cheap and interesting items for shopping.
National Museum of Natural Science (台中自然科学博物馆)
It is a very large and extensive science themed museum and comprises seven sub-museums in one. Its Science Center has a huge assortment of "hands-on" exhibits that displays scientific principles.
9. Tainan (臺南 or 台南)
Tainan is the oldest city and former capital, famous for its historic buildings and snack food.
Eternal Golden Castle/Fortress/Fort (億載金城)
It is located 16 Anping District, Tainan. The castle was built in 1874 and completed on 1876 by the famous Qing official Shen Baozhen in order to safeguard the coast and to defend the island against Japanese invasions.
The ruins of Anping Fort (安平古堡)
Anping old town allows you to explore the old times of Taiwan. It was a fortress built over ten years from 1624 to 1634 by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), in the town of Anping.
Anping Tree House (安平樹屋)
The Anping Treehouse is a cool mix of nature and man-made structures literally interconnected with one another. It is a large banyan tree that over the years has literally covered an old warehouse that once belonged to Tait & Co Merchant House.
Alishan (阿里山)
It is a a mountain resort and natural preserve which is located in the mountains of Chiayi County, Tainan in Taiwan. It features mountain wilderness, four villages, waterfalls, high altitude tea plantations, the Alishan Forest Railway, and several hiking trails.
10 Taitung (臺東 or 台东)
Taitung is located on a small plain sandwiched by the mountains and the Pacific Ocean at the southern mouth of the East Rift Valley. It features the magnificent scenery and the comfortable ocean breeze.
11. Pingtung County (屏東縣)
It is a county in the extreme southern Taiwan. It is well known for its tourism and agriculture. Pingtung is famous for Kenting National Park, the oldest and the largest national park in Taiwan established in 1984.
Kenting National Park (墾丁國家公園)
It is located at the southern tip of the island. The park is noted for its great beaches and lush vegetation.
Questions & Answers:
Here is only for Questions and Answers. ( For anyone who wants to have an enquiry or customized tour, please email us to . )