West Coast: From Taipei to Kenting Beaches

Your immersion in the Taiwanese capital begins at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial, erected in honor of the former leader in the heart of a 25-hectare park. Between gardens and peaceful pools, discover the National Theater and the National Concert Hall, two buildings of traditional architecture. The large esplanade that separates them is also a place of life appreciated by residents.

Continue to the National Palace Museum (closed every Monday), which houses an important collection of Chinese artworks and artifacts. A dive through several millennia of history and art.

In mid-afternoon, head to Taipei 101 tower.

Explore the shopping galleries and dining areas of Taipei 101, then take the elevator up to the observation deck on the 89th floor. From there, enjoy the panoramic views of the metropolis, especially in the golden light of sunset.

End the day at the Shilin night market. Sit at a shared table to sample local street food, from hot skewers to typical Taïwan specialties.

Start your day early at the Longshan Temple to attend morning chants and liturgies, around 8 a.m. Before your visit, stop at a popular local establishment in the neighborhood to savor a bowl of traditional rice soup (congee).

Built in 1738 by immigrants from mainland China, Longshan is Taipei's oldest sanctuary. Its name refers to the "Dragon Mountain" in Fujian, and the temple remains an important place in local spiritual life. In the past, devotees would pray to Guanyin for their health before heading to the nearby "medicinal herbs alley" to purchase traditional remedies.

Continue your discovery towards the historic Dihua Street area.

To immerse yourself in old Taipei, explore this famous shopping street and its stalls:

• Remedies from Chinese pharmacopoeia;

• Incense and religious items;

• Aromatic plants and dehydrated goods;

• Colorful fabrics and bamboo and wood craftsmanship.

Walking through these alleys, among scents, textures and colors, allows you to discover the cultural heritage and living traditions of Taïwan.

Your journey begins in the village of Pingxi, famous for its sky lantern ritual. You will have the opportunity to write your wishes of happiness and prosperity before watching your lantern gently rise towards the sky.

The excursion then heads towards the northeast coast to reach the Yehliu geological park.

Explore the spectacular Yehliu geological park. Jutting into the sea like a narrow peninsula, this site reveals an almost otherworldly landscape, shaped over millennia by the erosion of wind and waves.

You will wander among surprising rock formations, including the famous "mushroom rocks" and the emblematic "Queen's Head".

Browse its steep staircases lined with red lanterns and traditional tea houses, with the East China Sea as a backdrop. Jiufen's mineral and cultural history has nurtured the imagination of many artists and filmmakers.

Your journey begins in Banqiao with a visit to the Lin Family Mansion and Garden. This jewel of Qing architecture, built in the 19th century by a wealthy line of merchants, reveals intricately carved wooden pavilions and poetic ponds that bear witness to the aristocratic art of living from a bygone era.

Strolling through its cobblestone alleys like Ruyi Lane, you travel back in time between artisanal shops and traditional specialties.

The city is home to two spiritual treasures:

• The Longshan temple, a model of architectural purity with its shaded courtyards and octagonal coffered dome

• The Mazu temple, a fervent hub dedicated to the protector of seafarers.

You will continue with a bike ride on the panoramic cycle path suspended above the lake, ranked among the most beautiful in the world.

In late afternoon, the Wenwu Temple, a majestic colossus dedicated to the gods of Literature and War, offers a plunging view over the basin.

The ascent to the Ci'en Pagoda — built by Chiang Kai-shek in tribute to his mother — brings the day to a close: from its summit, the panorama of the lake ablaze with the sunset is unforgettable.

At sunrise, the mists of the lake dissipate during a private cruise, offering a peaceful and intimate journey along the water.

Fenqihu was once a stop on the forest railway built during Japanese occupation to transport timber. It was here that the tradition of the Fenqihu Bento Box developed. Railway workers and travelers would buy metal lunch boxes filled with rice, braised pork and local vegetables. You will lunch on this historic specialty in the atmosphere of the old cobblestone alley.

Embark on a walk beneath the canopy of centuries-old red cypress trees. The near-constant humidity of this forest fosters an environment where certain sacred trees exceed a thousand years of age, surrounded by veils of mist.

After your walk to the Sacred Tree station, board the Alishan little red train. The journey of approximately 10 minutes to the main station uses a mountain line inaugurated in 1912, which winds through the vegetation.

Head down the mountainside to reach a guesthouse located in the middle of high altitude Oolong tea plantations (High Mountain Tea).

Enjoy a traditional tasting of this tea cultivated in an environment where morning sunlight gives way to afternoon fog. It is notably distinguished by its floral notes.

Your immersion begins at Fort Anping (Fort Zeelandia), built in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company. Its red brick walls, bound at the time by traditional mortar made of oyster lime and sticky rice, testify to the Dutch presence before General Koxinga's reconquest.

A few steps away, discover the Anping Tree House. This former British trading warehouse has been gradually enveloped by the roots and branches of a century-old banyan tree, now forming a true vegetable maze.

In the afternoon, explore on foot the historic center and its maze of picturesque alleys, between vintage cafes and period houses. You will discover:

• the Koxinga Shrine, built in tribute to the national hero who marked the island's history;

• the Confucius Temple, founded in 1665 and the first institution of higher learning in Taïwan;

• the Fort Provintia (Chihkan Towers), built by the Dutch in 1653 and later dressed with traditional Chinese pavilions overlooking water gardens.

To close the afternoon, stop at the Hayashi Department Store. Inaugurated in 1932 under Japanese occupation, this oldest department store on the island preserves the elegance of the 1930s with its Art deco facade, its period dial elevator and its preserved shinto shrine on the roof.

In the evening, enjoy free time to wander at your own pace. Explore the charming alleys or the famous night markets of Tainan, considered the capital of Taïwan street food. Your guide will be able to advise you on tasting local specialties, amid the aromas and nocturnal atmosphere.

In the morning, your day begins with a spiritual immersion at the Fo Guang Shan monastery, a major sanctuary and holy site of Taiwanese Buddhism (closed on Tuesdays). As you explore its architectural complex, discover the immense golden Buddha of 120 meters, towering over the site and watching over the valley.

In the afternoon, continue to the Lotus Lake, a peaceful pond bordered by traditional sanctuaries and pavilions. On its south bank stand the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, two twin seven-story towers. According to local tradition, entering through the dragon's mouth and exiting through the tiger's mouth symbolizes the purification of the soul and the promise of attracting good fortune.

Late in the afternoon, take advantage of your free time to soak up the local nightlife. Just a stone's throw away, the Pier-2 Art Center, a former maritime warehouse complex transformed into a creative district, brings together galleries, craft shops, cafés and outdoor sculptures.

Your morning begins at the heights of the Longpan Park. From the viewpoint, contemplate the Pacific and this limestone plateau shaped by winds and sea. Its name means "the resting dragon", referring to the crevasses and sinkholes that run across the terrain like the scales of a mythical creature.

Continue with a two-hour walk in the heart of the tropical forest of Kenting National Park.

The trail crosses an ancient coral barrier lifted from the ocean depths by tectonic plate movement, as well as various karst formations.

You pass notably by:

• the Fairy Cave;

• the Silver Cave.

Both feature stalactites and are surrounded by the large roots of banyan figs.

Enjoy a stop at this white sand bay of coral origin, sheltered from the wind and bordered by crystal-clear water. It notably served as the setting for the film Life of Pi. You can swim and enjoy a moment of rest at sunset.

The Kenting National Park, at the southern tip of Taïwan, brings together golden sand beaches and turquoise waters, particularly at Baisha Bay and Nanwan, ideal for swimming, surfing and relaxing under the palm trees.

The region also features night markets by the sea and diving sites, in glorious weather year-round and a relaxed and festive atmosphere.

Complete your discovery of Kenting at Maobitou Cape, whose name means "the cat's nose". It refers to a rocky spur detached from the cliff evoking the silhouette of a crouching feline, facing the meeting of the waters of the Taïwan Strait and the Bashi Channel.