Sun Moon Lake

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.

Yidashao Pier

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.

Ci'en Pagoda

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.

Xuanzhuang Temple

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.

Wenwu Temple

Wenwu Temple is located at the shoulder of mountain where is on the north of Sun Moon Lake. It was built in 1938.The temple is two (Longfeng Temple and Ihuatang) in one. It was rebuilt in 1969. Its gate is face to the north. People pray the Civil Saint of Confucius, the Military Saint of Guangong, and the Established God of two temples in the temple.

Xiangshan Visitor Center

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.

Lukang

After breakfast you will depart for Lukang, a historic old town that is famed for the well-preserved cultural and historical heritages. Lukang, literally means “Deer Harbor” was once a bustling port during the 17-18th century, the import/export business also made the most rich and powerful people in Taiwan. Stroll through the town with red brick walls and floors: the Nine Turns Alley, the Urn Wall, the Half-Sided Well, Longshan Temple and many more, you will find each of them has a story to tell. Lukang is also well-known for its street foods and traditional Taiwanese desserts, where you can fulfill your appetite and stock up on some gifts to bring a little taste of this charming old town back home and share with your friends and family! After lunch, you will take the train/ bus back to Kaohsiung and arrive in the hotel later this afternoon.

Lugang Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple in Lukang was originally a small temple in Lukang. Later it was remodeled by local residents to be the current larger scale. The temple was beautifully designed. It is seated facing the west with the back to the east. The layout is square. The main building consists of four strata and three gardens. The format and design are inspired by Longshan Temple in Quanzhou (Chuanchow) of Taiwan.

Lugang Old Street

Lukang Old Street includes Yaolin Street and Putou Street. The historic site is perhaps the only place in Taiwan which best preserves the architecture stemming from as early as the Qing Dynasty. Previously a prosperous business center in the Qing Dynasty, the town’s streets feature buildings with a shop front and a back door facing the river for loading goods. Today, these traditional architectural pieces with brick walls, tiled roof as well as wooden door and windows are listed as a historic site. In addition to the main street, the winding brick streets and the narrow Osmanthus Lane are another area which had been filled with shops and households since early times. Now the area is occupied by folk art shops, nostalgic stores, teahouses, bookstores and painting stores, restaurants, local food vendors, and pastry stores, which are always packed with tourists on holidays. Walking on the streets, you will feel like being a part of a Qing drama.

Tianhou Temple

Lukang Tianhou Temple is the one of the three major historic sites in Lukang. It lies on Zhongshan Road, Lukang. In the Ching Dynasty, General Shi Lang built the first temple of Goddess of Sea in Taiwan. The statue in the alter was imported from Meizhou, China. There are over 1 million worshipers coming here every year. With the smoke of the incense, the statues face has turned black, so the Goddess is also called black-faced Goddess.

Kenting National Park

After breakfast, you will head for the south of the border – Kenting, also a paradise for surfers and divers Kenting National Park is Taiwan’s first national park, and well-known for its coastal geographical features and marine biodiversity due to crustal deformation and tropical climate. Today you will visit the most popular hotspots in the park.

Maopitou (literally meaning cat’s nose), is a unique natural rock formation. From distance, it looks just like a giant crouching cat.

Eluanpi Lighthouse was built during the Qing Dynasty. It was listed as one of the Eight Views of Taiwan during the period under Japanese rule.

Longpan Park

Longpan Park is a coral limestone tableland eroded by rainwater. It keeps the original features of the landscape with wide grassland and faces the Pacific Ocean.

Hengchun Old Town

After that you will stop by Hengchun Town (Hengchun Old Town) on the way back to Kaohsiung. This old town is known for its well-preserved city walls that surround the city for over a hundred years, also preserved as a national historic monument.

Kaohsiung

After breakfast, this morning you will take a city tour and visit the classic tourist attractions in Kaohsiung: The British Consulate at Takow Cultural Park, Lianchi Lake, Chengqing Lake, Spring and Autumn Pavilions, Dragon and Tiger Pagodas.

The British Consulate At Takao

The British Consulate at Takow Cultural Park (Former British Consulate at Takao) was built in 1879 as an administrative office for consular and trade affairs. The residence is situated on the hill overlooking Takao Harbor (now Port of Kaohsiung), where as the office is under the hill and connected by a trail. It is also a famous sunset spot among the local people.

Chengcing Lake

Chengqing Lake is artificial lake as a water source to supply the city’s water demand. It has been a popular tourist attraction since 1960s due to its tranquil atmosphere and unique history.

Lotus Pond

Lanchi Lake (Lotus Lake) is the iconic attraction in Kaohsiung. From the north edge to the south edge, famous attractions like Confucius Temple, Spring and Autumn Pavilions and Dragon, and Tiger Pagodas are situated around the lake.

Spring and Autumn Pavilion

Spring and Autumn Pavilions are two pavilion built in the 1950s dedicated to Kuan Kung, the God of War. In front of the pavilions is a statue of Guanyin riding a dragon, as to depict the vision of the Goddess of Mercy.

Dragon Tiger Tower

Dragon and Tiger Pagodas are the most famous and classic spot in Kaohsiung. The dragon's throat is the entrance and the tiger's mouth is the exit, which symbolizes turning bad luck to good fortune. After lunch, you will take the train/ bus back to Taipei and arrive the hotel in the evening.