Taïwan the Essential: 7 Days of Cultural and Natural Immersion

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

In mid-afternoon, head towards 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 as the sun sets.

End your day at the Shilin night market. Sit at a shared table to taste local street food, featuring hot skewers and typical Taïwan specialties.

Start your day early at Longshan Temple to attend the morning chants and liturgies, around 8 a.m. Before your visit, stop at a popular establishment in the neighborhood to enjoy 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, the faithful prayed 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 commercial street and its stalls:

• Remedies from Chinese pharmacopoeia;

• Incense and religious items;

• Aromatics and dehydrated goods;

• Colorful fabrics and bamboo and wood crafts.

Walking through these alleys, between 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 for happiness and prosperity before watching your lantern gently rise into the sky.

You will continue toward Shifen.

You will discover the nostalgic alleyways of Shifen, crossed by the railway. A short forest walk will lead you to the majestic Shifen waterfall.

Nicknamed the "Niagara of Taïwan", it offers a breathtaking spectacle when the water mist creates magnificent rainbows above the basin.

Proudly advancing into the sea, this strip of land transforms at sunset into an open-air museum. Shaped by millennia, wind and salt, its rocks with surrealist silhouettes — including the famous Queen's Head — offer a natural spectacle of raw and poetic beauty.

Head next to the unmissable perched village of Jiufen.

With its steep staircases, its suspended red lanterns and its traditional tea houses, the town offers an exceptional panorama over the East China Sea.

This timeless place, steeped in mineral and cultural history, has inspired the imagination of many artists and filmmakers.

Your trip 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 merchant family, reveals pavilions in sculpted wood and poetic ponds that testify to the aristocratic art of living from yesteryear.

Strolling through its cobblestone alleys like Ruyi Lane, it's like stepping back in time among 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 its octagonal coffered dome

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

You will continue with a bike ride on the scenic cycling 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 climb to the Ci'en Pagoda — built by Chiang Kai-shek as a tribute to his mother — concludes the day: from its summit, the panorama over the lake set ablaze by the sunset is unforgettable.

At sunrise, the lake mists dissolve during a private cruise, offering a serene and intimate crossing along the water.

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 a traditional mortar of oyster lime and sticky rice, testify to the Dutch presence before the reconquest by General Koxinga.

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

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

• the Koxinga Shrine, erected 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 adorned with traditional Chinese pavilions overlooking water gardens.

To conclude the afternoon, make a stop at the Hayashi Department Store. Opened in 1932 during Japanese occupation, this oldest popular department store on the island preserves the elegance of the 1930s with its Art Deco façade, its period dial elevator and its preserved Shinto sanctuary on the roof.

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

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

In the afternoon, continue towards the Lotus Lake, a peaceful pond bordered by traditional sanctuaries and pavilions. On its southern shore stand the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, two twin seven-story towers. According to popular 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.

In the late afternoon, take advantage of 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, cafes and outdoor sculptures.

Discover the hustle and bustle of the fish auction, heir to a centuries-old maritime tradition linked to the warm current of the Kuroshio. The market comes alive to the rhythm of the auction of tuna and swordfish, freshly unloaded from trawlers.

This volcanic islet, once connected to the mainland before being isolated by marine erosion, is linked by an eight-arched pedestrian bridge winding above the waves like a stone dragon. According to local Taoist legend, three of the Eight Immortals are said to have stopped here, leaving their mark on rocks sculpted by salt.

Discover the famous Mr. Brown Avenue (Bolang Dadao). Free of all electric poles to preserve the landscape, this road is traveled by bike through the rice fields, with the ridges of the Central mountain range in the background.

Begin your exploration with the park terrace and Dekalun trail (or Taroko Terrace trail). Through dense tropical forest, the path reveals the Liwu River bed and vertical marble walls, sculpted over millions of years by tectonic erosion.

Continue along the Taibido historic trail, which winds through the remains of ancient Truku villages.

The hamlet is home to the Xiangde Monastery. After crossing a suspension bridge over the turquoise waters of the Liwu, access the temple and the Tianfeng Pagoda. Surrounded by a giant statue of Guanyin and a contemplative Buddha, this stop offers panoramic views of the mountains and a peaceful atmosphere.