Taiwan 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 popular gathering place for residents.

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

In the mid-afternoon, head towards Taipei 101.

Explore the shopping galleries and dining areas of Taipei 101, then take a ride up to the observation platform on the 89th floor. From there, enjoy 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 the Longshan Temple to attend the morning chants and liturgies, around 8 a.m. Before your visit, stop at a popular local 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 shrine. Its name refers to the "Dragon Mountain" in Fujian, and the temple remains an important place in local spiritual life. In the past, worshippers 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 area of Dihua Street.

To immerse yourself in the Taipei of yesteryear, explore this famous commercial street and its stalls:

• Remedies from Chinese pharmacopoeia;

• Incense and religious items;

• Aromatic herbs and dehydrated goods;

• Colorful fabrics and bamboo and wood craftsmanship.

Walking through these alleyways, between scents, textures and colors, allows you to discover the cultural heritage and still vibrant 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 toward the sky.

You will discover the nostalgic alleys of Shifen, crossed by the railway line. A short walk away, a forest stroll 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.

Explore the spectacular geological park of Yehliu. Jutting out 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, notably 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. The mineral and cultural history of Jiufen has inspired the imagination of many artists and filmmakers.

Here, you will visit the Lin Family Residence and Garden. This gem of Qing architecture, built in the 19th century by a wealthy merchant lineage, reveals pavilions with sculpted wood and poetic ponds that testify to the aristocratic art of living from yesteryear.

Strolling through its cobblestone alleyways like Ruyi Lane, it's like stepping back in time among artisan 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 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 Letters 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 — concludes the day: from its summit, the panorama over the lake set ablaze by the sunset is unforgettable.

At dawn, the lake mists dissipate 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, bonded at the time with traditional mortar made of oyster lime and sticky rice, bear witness to the Dutch presence before General Koxinga's reconquest.

Just 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, forming today a veritable vegetative maze.

In the afternoon, walk through the historic center and its maze of picturesque alleyways, between vintage cafés 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 supreme educational establishment in Taïwan;

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

To close off the afternoon, stop by the Hayashi Department Store. Opened in 1932 during 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 some free time to stroll at your own pace. Explore the charming alleyways 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, dominating 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 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 symbolizes the purification of the soul and the promise of attracting good fortune.

In the late afternoon, enjoy some 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.

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-arch 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 there, leaving their mark on the rocks sculpted by salt.

Discover the famous Mr. Brown Avenue (Bolang Dadao). Free of any electrical poles to preserve the landscape, this road is traveled by bicycle through the rice fields, with the ridges of the Central Range in the background.

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

Continue on the Taibido historical trail, which winds through the remains of ancient Truku villages.

The hamlet is home to the Xiangde Monastery. After crossing a suspended 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 a panoramic view of the mountains and a peaceful atmosphere.