Indigenous Landscapes: A Voyage into Taiwan’s Native Heartland

National Palace Museum

With 700,000 pieces spanning thousands of years, the National Palace Museum has one of the largest collections of ancient Chinese artifacts in the world. Once located in Beijing’s Forbidden City, the museum’s collection moved to Taiwan in the 1940s. Now spread across four floors and a rotating series of exhibitions, many of the most important relics of ancient China are on show for the world to admire. Breathe in millennia of history and culture while wandering through the museum’s collection of well-kept treasures.

Silks Palace Restaurant at the National Palace Museum

Experience a carefully crafted meal of traditional Chinese cuisine in the most apt setting possible: beside the world’s most comprehensive collection of Chinese artifacts at the National Palace Museum. The museum’s on-site restaurant, Silks Palace, marries Chinese art and cooking by taking some of the most famed pieces held in the National Palace Museum and serving them on a plate as a high-end lunch offering. Some are relatively straight forward, food-come-art-come-food-again, like the jade cabbage and dong po jasper. While others are more rooted in history, like the Yu’an Dynasty Yun Lin Goose, said to be an imperial favorite over 600 years ago in the Su Xi region.

Longshan Temple

Located in the heart of old Taipei, Longshan Temple has witnessed a rich history over its nearly 300 years of existence. This colorful, lively, and inclusive temple has survived earthquakes and bombing raids, thanks largely to the strong community that has developed around this sacred space. Wander through the active temple complex, keeping an eye out for the dragon in the lake, locals young and old reading scripture, and the small booths of fortune-tellers.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Step inside one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Standing as a symbol of the Kuomintang and Taiwan’s first president, Chiang Kai-shek, the massive commemorative monument is said to mirror the national anthem, with its architecture embodying the “clear blue sky, white sun, and a wholly red earth.” Ascend the 89 steps – representing Chiang’s age at the time of his death – to reach the main hall that houses a bronze statue of the former leader. On the hour, watch the changing of the guards before heading back to the main square to wander down the promenade flanked by the National Theater and the National Concert Hall.

Taipei 101

The world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2010, Taipei 101 is a towering testament to symbolism and sustainability. Traditionally, the number 100 represents perfection, so adding another floor (100 + 1) represented a further breakthrough, of going <i>beyond</i> perfection. The 508-meter-tall skyscraper was also named the world’s greenest building in 2011, after receiving a Platinum rating (the highest) under the LEED certification system. Taipei 101 stands in the Xinyi District of Taipei, and its pagoda-like design has become iconic around the world. Admire the building from without and within, as its first few floors are home to a multi-story shopping mall with some of the swankiest shops in town. Then shoot up to the 89th floor for 360-degree views of all Taipei and its surrounding mountains.

Din Tai Fung

The legend of Din Tai Fung needs no introduction; it’s a must-eat for everyone who visits Taipei. Embracing the wait is part of the experience — take a number and explore the surroundings, knowing that Taiwan’s most celebrated specialties await inside. From its humble origins as a small Taipei eatery, Din Tai Fung has grown into a global dumpling sensation while staying true to its roots. Its dedication to excellence shines in every detail, from the precisely crafted 18 folds in each dumpling to its diligent customer service.

Meals included: breakfast

Drive: Taipei to Yilan

The drive from Taipei to Yilan takes around 1.5 hours.

Next Stop: Yilan

Yilan stands in stark contrast to the towering city metropolis of Taipei. Here, mountains give way to a large plain, which eventually melts into the sea. The outskirts of the low-profile city center form a grid of watery squares, each one a personal rice paddy moated around a central estate-like home where the farmers reside, tending to their crops. Immerse yourself in the agricultural scenery and gaze out to sea for a glimpse of the abundant marine wildlife, most notably a rich population of dolphins and whales.

National Center of Traditional Arts

A sprawling 24-hectare cultural haven awaits you beside the serene Dongshan River in Yilan. This vibrant space is a fusion of tradition and innovation, offering a feast for the senses. Explore galleries filled with exquisite displays, catch captivating performances on the open-air stage, or even become the artist yourself! Savor the elegance of traditional music, be thrilled by passionate opera performances, or simply stroll through the vibrant artistic landscape. And when you’re ready for a change of scenery, hop on a boat and explore the picturesque Dongshan River Water Park. This cultural oasis is a place where tradition and innovation come alive, offering endless opportunities for discovery and inspiration.

Kavalan Whisky Tasting Experience

After all the tea in Taiwan, a dram of whisky is in order. Kavalan Whisky Bar brings the award-winning taste of Taiwan’s first whisky distillery located in the northeast, to its center, Taipei. The northeastern region possesses a special blend of weather, climate, and resources that make for subliminal whisky made directly from the pure, mineral-enriched meltwater of the snow-dusted mountain tops. Try their special blends straight from the cask and add Taiwan to your whisky map.

Drive: Yilan to Hualien

The drive from Yilan to Hualien takes around 2.5 hours. However there will be several stops and activities along the way.

The Suhua Highway

Rising from the Yilan Plain at Su’ao is one of the most remarkable stretches of road on earth: a 118-kilometer highway clinging to the side of steep cliffs as it sweeps and swings its way to Hualien above the vivid hues of the Pacific Ocean below. Each twist and turn reveals breathtaking new vistas, making the Suhua Highway — named as a portmanteau of its respective termini — an unforgettable journey.

Qingshui Cliff

This scenic pull off is one of the best places to capture the full splendor of the Suhua Highway. Eastward, the turquoise sea deepens into a sapphire blue as the water ripples out into infinity. Westward, the towering jungle-laden peaks jut toward the horizon, the tallest of which is Qingshui Mountain, rising straight from sea level to an astounding 2,408 meters. South, along the coast, the highway carries on, disappearing into the side of a mountain where a tunnel carries the road onward. A squint to the east of the tunnel reveals the old road, crumbling and fractured from the beatings of many a coastal storm.

Hualien

A friendly welcome awaits in Hualien, where azure waters teeming with life back up against a verdant coastline of sheer cliffs and misty jungle abyss. The city of Hualien sits between the two, basking in the best of Taiwan’s aquatic and terrestrial beauty. Though this hub is often used as a jumping off point for visiting the nearby Taroko Gorge National Park, Hualien has plenty to offer itself – from pebbled beaches to creative art districts to local foodie finds, this seaside enclave has a little something for everyone.

Your guide will help you check in to your hotel at the end of the day.

Meals included: breakfast

Drive: Hualien to Shitiping

The drive from Hualien to Shitiping takes around 1.5 hours.

Dolphin & Whale Watching

Head out on the water in search of the ocean’s most magnificent mammals — whales and dolphins. The coastal waters of Hualien are home to multiple species of whales, including humpback, killer, sperm, false killer, and pygmy killer whales, as well as dolphins such as spinner, bottlenose, pantropical spotted, and Chinese white dolphins. Keep your eyes peeled, trust in your captain and the expert spotters, and take in the ocean breeze along with breathtaking views of Hualien from the sea.

Shimen Cave

Stretch the legs with a short walk, ending in some light spelunking. An endless tirade of wind and water whipping against the shore sculpted the hollow archway of Shimen Cave. From inside the damp cavern, the sea and sky are framed in a rocky ovular window. Above, sink holes reveal jungle-laden skylights of various shapes and sizes.

Shitiping

Shitiping is famed for its unique geology, a terrace of pot-marked rocks carved out by prolonged sea and wind erosion. The gray slab stones can be easily traversed along the shore and at low tide form extensive tide pools. A peek inside may yield any array of temporarily-trapped sea life: crabs, starfish, sea cucumbers, hermit crabs and fish. In summer months, whales and dolphins migrate past this shore and a prolonged peer toward the horizon is a promising way to catch the arched back of some of these silent giants.

Your guide will help you check in to your hotel at the end of the day.

Meals included: breakfast

Visit an Indigenous Amis Village

Explore the cultural traditions of the Kiwi Tribe along the scenic Xiuguluan River. The experience includes a guided tour of traditional houses, shrimp trapping with Misukap baskets, and learning about Maifan stones, a feature of the Coastal Mountain Range. Guests can create traditional utensils called Cifar, crafted from betel nut leaves and bamboo skewers, and even cook a traditional stone hotpot. Freshly caught shrimp are boiled using heated Maifan stones, resulting in a delicious, locally inspired dish. This immersive activity introduces Amis tribal traditions while showcasing sustainable fishing and crafting techniques passed down through generations.

Option: Nighttime Squid Fishing

When night falls and darkness blankets the island, the sea comes alive with countless twinkling lights. On closer inspection, each light reveals a fishing boat adorned with bright bulbs, drawing creatures from the ocean depths to the surface. This is the world of squid fishing. Venture out on a boat to witness this practice firsthand — watching squid rise toward the light and pulling one up in a net. Back on shore, end the adventure with a late-night local delicacy: squid porridge.

Note:

• Squid season runs from July through September, while May through June marks flying fish season, another Taiwanese specialty.
• This activity is not recommended for individuals prone to seasickness.

Option 1: Visit the Village of the Amis Cawi (Jingpu) Tribe

Discover the Cawi Tribe’s sustainable fishing traditions with hands-on activities near Jingpu Village. Unique to the area is the Bagua net, designed to release smaller fish while catching larger ones. The experience begins with paddling a bamboo raft across serene waters, guided by seasoned locals who share fishing tips passed down through generations. Visitors can also participate in throwing Bagua nets, catching wave crabs, and practicing archery. Bamboo rafting, the highlight of the experience, requires teamwork and careful paddling techniques. Row through picturesque landscapes of rivers, mountains, and islands, marveling at views of the Changhong Bridge and Xianglan Island’s sandbanks.

Note:

• The activities are weather permitting.

Option 2: Expert-Led Indigenous Cultures Hike with Abus Istasipal

Join WildTaiwan expert Abus Istasipal on a thrilling one-day escapade along the Batongguan Traverse Trail in Yuli. Immerse in stunning landscapes adorned with subtropical plants and delve into the enthralling history of the Japanese colonial period. Witness remnants of a police station, post office, and exquisite stone masonry that tell tales of the past. Along the way, embrace the culture and history of the indigenous Bunun Tribe.

Meals included: breakfast

Drive: Shitiping to Taipei

The drive from Shitiping to Taipei will take around 4 hours. However there will be several stops and activities along the way.

Liyu Lake

Liyu Lake, also known as Carp Lake, is eastern Taiwan’s largest freshwater body and an alternative to the tourist-laden Sun Moon Lake. Unlike its counterpart, Liyu Lake attracts primarily domestic visitors and local Hualien residents seeking a peaceful escape. Behind the sparkling blue waters, the landslide-scarred slopes of Liyu Mountain rise dramatically, reaching toward the sky. A variety of water- and land-based activities are available, including paddleboarding, kayaking, paddle boats, and cycling trails. Visitors can choose their preferred way to enjoy the serene beauty of Liyu Lake.

Your guide will help you check in to your hotel at the end of the day.

Meals included: breakfast

Depart: Taipei

Your WildTaiwan guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (~1-hour traffic dependent) and help you check in for your flight home.