These plans assume one will have jet lag on the first three days, and so there are early starts planned on those days with no activities in the afternoons when someone from North America is likely to feel tired.
Wednesday afternoon leave the United States, arriving in Taipei on Friday morning. It takes between 15 and 23 hours to get from the USA to Taiwan, depending upon how many conneting flights one must use and how long one allows in airports. If you live in Seattle, the voyage will be about 15 hours, while if you live in a small town far from any airline hub or trans-Pacific gateway airport you could have 25 hours of travel from your house through the end of customs in Taipei’s airport. From the Taipei airport one still needs a bus, taxi, and perhaps a train ride to get anywhere in Taiwan. Also, there is a 12-13 hour time difference, so if one leaves home (in the Midwest) in the evening of a Wednesday, it is likely one will arrive at one’s first destination in Taiwan early on a Friday morning, completely missing Thursday in the flight over the Pacific.
Friday. Instead of starting in Taipei we’ll begin this trip in Central Taiwan and return to Taipei at the end of the trip, after we are recovered from jet lag. Use Friday to get down to TaiChung, and then check into a hotel there. Taichung has a few places worthy of a visit. The natural science museum is world-class, but it’s pretty much all in Chinese and may be of limited interest to you if you don’t read Chinese. The Confucian Temple is large and quite interesting, and this would be a good place to visit a Confucian temple. I like the Paochueh Temple (not far from the Confucian Temple) because I used to live near it, but most visitors wouldn’t miss it if they skipped it. The museum of art is quite good. If you want to go for a walk TaiChung Park can be lovely. Children may enjoy spotting turtles in the lake while standing in one of the lakeside pavillions.
Saturday. A second day with TaiChung as a base (a second night in the same hotel), but this morning one should try a day trip out of TaiChung. I like history and architecture, so I suggest a trip to LuKang, less than 20 miles from TaiChung. LuKang is similar to America’s restored Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Crowds will be heavy at most tourist destinations, but one could enjoy seeing weekend crowds at the Pakuashan Temple (with the giant Buddha statue) in Changhua, just south of TaiChung, or one could go much further taking a two-hour bus ride up to KuKuan to hike up to Dragon Valley Waterfall (a short hike). Use jet lag as an advantage to get wherever one is going (LuKang or KuKuan) early, taking the first morning bus to arrive before weekend crowds. Leave early as well, because one is likely to feel exhausted around mid-afternoon of one’s second day after a cross-Pacific flight.
Sunday Morning: Leave from TaiChung around 7:00 (no later than 7:30) preferably on a bus. Get a ride (taxi) to the Chiayi Airport. Fly out of Chiayi at 9:30, arrive in Penghu at 9:55. If flights are available from TaiChung and one hasn’t got a rental car, then one can fly from TaiChung instead of Chiayi and save some hassle.
Taxi or bus from airport to Makang.
Sunday in Makang: One might stay at Red Peace (Hung An) hotel (tel: 927-3832) This hotel is in the middle of Makang, and not very far from a place where we may rent motorcycles.
Makang is a small town, and we may want to see it on foot, without bothering about a motorcycle (rent for a small 50cc motorcycle is only 300 NT) By the mid-afternoon we may have already have seen all we want of Makang, and perhaps we will want to get out into the countryside nearby.
Sunday there are three things one might like to do:
1) See the old fortress (West Tai fort) about 40km from Makang.
2) See the big Banyan tree.
3) Go Snorkeling and see the reef.
The drive to the fort might take an hour on motorscooter if we stop to see scenic areas along the way, although the fort can probably be completely experienced in half an hour. The Banyan tree is near the road from Makang to the fort. Since this is a Sunday there will be many shuttle boats for tourists taking them from ChihKan to the islands north of PaiSha Island. While on PengHu visit Hsienchiao Island, Mutou Island, and Kupo island.
Monday is a second day in PengHu, and one can go out and see other islands one missed on Sunday, or one can explore the islands some more.
Tuesday fly back to Chiayi. There may be a 1:00 train up to Ali Mountain, or one can take a bus up there. Spend Tuesday night up on Alishan.
Wednesday. A day to hike around Alishan.
Thursday. Bus or train down the mountain from Alishan to Chiayi, and then down to TaiNan (by train) to see some of the historic sites, including Anping Fort. Shihkan Tower. Kaiyuan Temple. Nankunshen. Night in Tainan
Friday. Fly or take a train from Tainan to TaiTung. The train voyage to TaiTung from TaiNan (switch trains in KaoHsiung) will take between 4 and 5 hours. In TaiTung (nearby) visit Peinan Cultural Park, and then go to Chihpen hot springs. Have a night at the Hot Springs.
Saturday. A morning at the Chihpen hot springs, then in the afternoon take a flight or ferry to Green Island. On Green Island visit aquarium. Ride the yellow submarine. Ride the glass bottom boat. Swim at Chaojih Hot Spring. Take a look at the Green Island Lodge political prison. Green Island has great snorkling and diving.
Sunday on Green Island. Second night there.
Monday get back to TaiTung from Green Island, and head up the coast to HuaLien, and then up to the Taroko Gorge National Park. Stay the night in TienHsiang and walk around the park Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.
Tuesday. In the afternoon leave Taroko Gorge and go up to Taipei, probably by flying from the Hualien airport or taking a bus or train. First night in Taipei.
Wednesday. Day to see the National Palace Museum. One might also visit the Fine Arts museum, the Chiang Kaishek Memorial, or one of the good temples such as Pishan temple, Lungshan temple, or Chihnan temple.
Thursday morning return to America, and with the International Date Line’s help one can arrive home in America by Thursday afternoon or evening the "same" day.
1. Taichung
2. Taichung
3. Makung, Penghu Islands
4. Makung, Penghu Islands
5. Alishan in central mountains
6. Alishan in central mountains
7. Tainan
8. Chihpen Hot Springs near Taitung
9. Green Island
10. Green Island
11. TienHsiang in Taroko Gorge
12. Taipei
13. Taipei
The above trip is a two-week taste of Taiwan. Below are trip plans I made for my parents in October of 1991. They actually did visit Taiwan and I have described what they did after the preliminary plans below.
FIRST PLAN
October 22 Tuesday
Evening Go to Grand Palace Hotel and rest- if too wide awake, take a walk.
Night Sleep, take it easy.
October 23 Wednesday
Morning take bus to Palace Museum and stay the morning there.
Afternoon See another museum or go window shopping on ChungShan road or a night market.
Evening Stay in a Park or go to the Snake Alley.
Night Second night in nice hotel.
October 24 Thursday
Morning Take train to Hualien (4 hours)
Afternoon Take tour of Tokoro Gorge.
Evening Hotel in TienHsiang
Night Walk around the gorge.
October 25 Friday
Morning Take a train south from Hualien to TaiTung
Afternoon Learn about aboriginal culture and history in TaiTung.
Evening Enjoy the coast.
Night Stay with friends.
October 26 Saturday
Morning Train and bus to some place in the central mountains.
Afternoon Hike in the mountains
Evening Stay in a hotel up in the mountains
Night Stay in the mountains.
October 27 Sunday
Morning Bus to Chiayi. (3 hours?)
Afternoon See the sights of Chiayi
Evening Dinner in Chiayi
Night Stay in Chiayi (Hotel)
October 28 Monday
Morning Go to Wu Feng’s Temple and museum.
Afternoon Return from Wu Feng’s Temple and go to Beikang
Evening See Beikang Temple. Return to Chiayi
Night Second night in Chiayi.
October 29 Tuesday
Morning Go to TaiChung (1.5-2 hour bus or train ride)
Afternoon Spend afternoon seeing sights of TaiChung.
Evening Take bus to Taoyuan
Night Hotel in Taoyuan
October 30 Wednesday
Morning go to Airport (in Tayuan)
SECOND TRIP
October 22 Tuesday
Evening Go to fine hotel and rest- if too wide awake, take a walk.
Night Sleep, take it easy.
October 23 Wednesday
Morning take bus to Palace Museum and stay the morning there.
Afternoon Return to Central Taipei and go window shopping.
Evening Go to movie or park or visit friends
Night Either another night in a good hotel or stay with friends.
October 24 Thursday
Morning Take a train to TaiChung (3 hours)
Afternoon See the sights of TaiChung.
Evening Stay with friends near a University or stay in Hotel.
Night Walk in University or explore downtown TaiChung.
October 25 Friday
Morning Take a bus to either Chitou or the Bird Sanctuary (1.5 hours)
Afternoon Stroll through either Chitou Forest Park or the Bird Santuary.
Evening Return to TaiChung.(1.5 hours)
Night Another Night in TaiChung
October 26 Saturday
Morning Ride to Chiayi
Afternoon See the sights of Chiayi
Evening Visit friends in Chiayi
Night Stay in nice hotel in Chiayi
October 27 Sunday
Morning Take train to Ali Shan Walk around Ali Shan
Afternoon Drive to higher mountains (Jade Mountain?) Sunset.
Evening Go down to lower mountains to visit friend.
Night Night on friend’s tea plantation.
October 28 Monday
Morning Return to Chiayi from mountains
Afternoon Go to Wu Feng’s Temple and see the museum there.
Evening Stay around Chiayi
Night Stay in Chiayi home.
October 29 Tuesday
Morning See more sights of Chiayi
Afternoon Take Train to Taipei
Evening Special dinner
Night Night in Taipei Hotel
October 30 Wednesday
Morning Go to Airport (allow 2 hours)
TRIP THREE
October 22 Tuesday
Evening Go to fine hotel and rest- if too wide awake, take a walk.
Night Sleep, take it easy.
October 23 Wednesday
Morning take bus to Palace Museum and stay the morning there.
Afternoon Return to Central Taipei and go window shopping.
Evening Go to movie or park or visit friends
Night Either another night in a good hotel or stay with friends.
October 24 Thursday
Morning Take a train to TaiChung (3 hours)
Afternoon See the sights of TaiChung.
Evening Stay with friends near a University or stay in Hotel.
Night Walk in University or explore downtown TaiChung.
October 25 Friday
Morning Take a bus to either Chitou or the Bird Sanctuary (1.5 hours)
Afternoon Stroll through either Chitou Forest Park or the Bird Santuary.
Evening Return to TaiChung.(1.5 hours)
Night Another Night in TaiChung
October 26 Saturday
Morning Ride bus or train to Chiayi (2.5 hours)
Afternoon See the sights of Chiayi
Evening Visit friends in Chiayi
Night Stay in nice hotel in Chiayi
October 27 Sunday
Morning Visit old Beikang Temple (40 minutes from Chiayi)
Afternoon Visit Wu Feng’s Temple and museum. (30 minutes from Chiayi)
Evening Take Train to Tainan (about 1 hour)
Night Night in Tainan.
October 28 Monday
Morning See sights of Tainan (old Dutch Fort, Confucian Temple)
Afternoon Return to Chiayi (1 hour)
Evening Drive up mountains to friend’s tea farm. (2 hours)
Night Stay on Tea Farm.
October 29 Tuesday
Morning Go to Ali Shan for a hike. (1 hour)
Afternoon Take Train to Chiayi. (3 hours)
Evening Early dinner and train to Chungli (3 hours)
Night Night in Chungli Hotel
October 30 Wednesday
Morning Go to Airport (allow 1 hour)
As I remember it, I think my parents ended up combining the trips. They had their first day in Taipei and enjoyed the Palace Museum. I think they went to the ShihLin night market that night. The second day I think we flew to Hualien and spent the night in TienHsiang in Taroko Gorge National Park. The next day after some morning hiking we took the cross-island highway over the mountains, through Lishan, and down into TaiChung. I think the following day we spent our time in LuKang, and returned to TaiChung for the night. The following day we went to Chiayi, and spent the night there. The next day we went up to Alishan, and spent the night with a friend on his tea farm in Stone Table Village. The next day we came down from the mountains and spent a final day in Chiayi. The last day was simply a matter of getting from Chiayi up to Taoyuan to catch the flight back to America.
1. Taipei
2. Taipei
3. TienHsiang in Taroko Gorge
4. Taichung
5. Taichung
6. Chaiyi
7. Stone Table Village near Alishan
8. Chiayi
If I were taking some friends for a 12 day visit to Taiwan, this is the schedule I’d suggest:
Thursday-Friday fly to Taiwan and spend the night in Taipei.
Saturday. National Palace Museum in Taipei.
Sunday. Day excursion to Nine Portion Village (Jiufen) near Keelung.
Monday: Fly to Kinmen. Stay in Kincheng (if rent motorcycle) or Royal Crown Hotel in Hsiahsing village (if rent a car).
Tuesday. See western part of island, Wu River School, Mumahou temple, Shuitou, Wentai Pagoda. Chenwei Residence and Chungshan Memorial Forest.
Wednesday. See eastern part of island. Kinmen pottery factory and village of Chiunglin, Kinmen folk culture village, the Li residence in Hsishanchien, and the Mashan Observatory.
Thursday. See whatever we missed or want to see again. Then fly back to Taipei. In Taipei get a flight or train down to HuaLien an get into Taroko Gorge for the night.
Friday. Day in the Taroko Gorge, with a late afternoon trip (probably by bus and rail) down the east coast to TaiTung. Night in TaiTung.
Saturday. Fly out to Green Island to do some snorkling. The best reefs are supposed to be on Green Island. This could be a day trip with a return to TaiTung in the evening, but I think it might be better to spend the night on the island.
Sunday. A day devoted to getting from the TaiTung area or Green Island up into the mountains. Mountain resort areas worth visiting include Alishan, Tungpu, and Hsitou. Maybe catch a flight from TaiTung to Chiayi, and then from Chiayi take a bus or train up to Alishan for the night. Instead of Chiayi one could fly to TaiChung and take the train to ErShui, and then take a bus or train up to Shuili, and then take a bus from Shuili up to TungPu. There are direct busses from TaiChung and Chiayi to Hsitou.
Monday. A day to walk around and enjoy the mountains. Night in the mountains or take the last bus down to the plains for the night.
Tuesday. Leave Taiwan, probably on an evening flight so one has time to get down from the mountains.
11 nights in Taiwan:
1, Taipei
2. Taipei
3. Taipei
4. Kincheng, Kinmen Island
5. Kincheng, Kinmen Island
6. Kincheng, Kinmen Island
7. TienHsiang, Taroko Gorge National Park
8. Taitung
9. Green Island
10. Alishan or Hsiutou or Tungpu in the central mountains
11. Alishan or Hsiutou or Tungpu in the central mountains (second night in same places)
12. Chiayi or Taichung or Taoyuan (near airport). Leave next day.