Taiwan by Rail

Fly overnight to Taipei, Taiwan's buzzing capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture. This evening meet with your National Escort and fellow travellers to enjoy dinner at a nearby, local restaurant.

Start the day at the National Palace Museum, home to one of the world's finest collections of Chinese imperial art. Continue to the historic Longshan Temple, an 18th-century place of worship filled with incense and intricate carvings. Stop by the impressive Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall before ascending Taipei 101's 89th floor for sweeping views of the city skyline.

This evening, head to a buzzing night market to sample some of Taipei's most famous street food.

Follow the scenic Pingxi Line through lush mountains and former mining towns on a journey once used to transport coal. Stop along the way to explore charming spots like Pingxi and Shifen Old Streets, and admire the impressive Shifen Waterfall. Try your hand at releasing a traditional sky lantern before continuing to Jiufen, a hillside town of narrow alleys, teahouses, and stunning coastal views. Return to Taipei in the evening.

This morning, journey to the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, one of Taiwan's most scenic natural treasures. Stop at a tea plantation nestled in the surrounding hills for a tasting session, before visiting the striking Wenwu Temple overlooking the lake. Later, board a leisurely cruise to soak up panoramic views of jade-green waters, forested slopes, and distant mountain peaks.

Head to Bantaoyao Craft Park, a revitalised pottery factory where you'll try your hand at mosaic-making and design your own decorative tile. Later, travel into the misty hills of Alishan to visit Yuyupas Cultural Park. Here, you'll learn about the traditions of the indigenous Tsou tribe and sample rich, aromatic coffee grown and handpicked in the surrounding mountain farms.

Hop on the Alishan Forest Train early this morning for the ride up to Zhushan Sunrise Platform, where, if the weather's on your side, you'll catch a stunning sunrise over the mountains. Afterward, spend time exploring Alishan's peaceful forest trails, with stops at scenic spots like the Sister Ponds and the Three Generation Tree.

Start the day in the quaint mountain village of Fenqihu, where you can stroll its narrow lanes lined with wooden shopfronts and try the town's signature bento box lunch. Later, travel to Chiayi and hop aboard the high-speed train back to Taipei — a smooth, fast journey that reaches up to 300km per hour. On arrival, return to your hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.

Fly to Australia, arriving home the same or following day.