Northern Splendor - A 7-Day Culinary Tour

Connecting Taoyuan, Yilan, Taipei, and the North Coast, this itinerary blends secluded mountain retreats, stunning coastal scenery, traditional culture, and local cuisine. Highlights include the Taipingshan Forest Trail, Jiuzhize Hot Springs, Luodong Night Market, Ximending trendy street area, and various DIY experiences such as making rice noodles, Yilan cakes, and pineapple cakes. Travelers can immerse themselves in nature, culture, and food, experiencing the diverse landscape of Northern Taiwan and creating unforgettable memories.

Itinerary information

Meeting point

Taipei Main Station, Taichung Main Station, Kaohsiung Main Station

Daily Itinerary

Daily Tour

1

Day 1

Arrive in Taoyuan - Check into hotel

Breakfast

Enjoy on board

Lunch

In-flight dining

Dinner

Cooking at home

Hotel

Taoyuan Honeymoon Century Hotel or similar
2

Day 2

Taoyuan/Yilan

Tiger Brand Rice Noodles Retro-Style Tourist Factory

→(Enjoy traditional rice noodles all you can eat)
→(DIY Creative Rice Noodle Making with Painted Bowls)
The park revolves around the Tiger Brand rice noodle production process, showcasing traditional rice noodle making techniques, old utensils, and the brand's story, allowing visitors to travel back in time and experience early Taiwanese life. Visitors can participate in rice noodle DIY activities, sample specialty rice noodle dishes, and take photos in retro settings, making it an educational and entertaining tourist attraction suitable for all ages.

Dreamy Fairy Tale Manor

→(English Manor Afternoon Tea)
→(Versailles court attire experience)
The Dreamy Fairy Tale Manor is a fantastical paradise that unfolds like turning the pages of a fairy tale book. With its European-style castle, colorful cottages, and dreamy landscaping, the park creates a romantic atmosphere that attracts families, couples, and photography enthusiasts. From the pumpkin carriage and fairy garden to the fairy tale character photo spots, every corner is filled with childlike fun and creativity.

Luodong Night Market

Luodong Night Market is one of the most bustling and representative night markets in Yilan. Located in the heart of Luodong City, it is easily accessible and always packed with people. It's a hub for local snacks and creative cuisine, from Sanxing scallion pancakes and mutton soup to fried egg scallion pancakes—every bite is a taste of Yilan. Whether you're a foodie, a traveler, or a local, Luodong Night Market is the most enchanting gathering place at night.

Breakfast

Enjoy at the hotel

Lunch

Traditional Rice Noodles

afternoon tea

English Manor Afternoon Tea

Dinner

Luodong Night Market Self-Service Cooking

Hotel

Lakeshore Hotel Yilan Arts Center / similar
3

Day 3

Yilan

Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area

→(See Qinghuai Ancient Trail)
→(Forest Bouncy Train) – Optional ride at your own expense
Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area is one of the most magnificent alpine forests in northern Taiwan, offering different scenery in each season. The Jianqing Huaigu Trail within the park was once part of the Taipingshan timber transport railway and has now been transformed into a stunning mountain trail, with towering cedar trees and moss-covered ground along the way, making you feel as if you have stepped into a secret forest.

Jiuzhize Hot Spring

→(DIY Onsen Boiled Egg Custard) – Two onsen eggs + one ear of corn
Jiuzhize Hot Spring is located in Taipingshan Forest Recreation Area, a secluded spot in Taiwan with natural high-altitude hot springs. The park features open-air foot baths, private hot spring rooms, and wild stream hot springs, surrounded by pristine forests and mountain mists. While soaking in the hot springs, you can enjoy the forest's phytoncides, making it an excellent hot spring experience that combines healing with natural beauty.

Breakfast

Enjoy at the hotel

Lunch

PaMi Zeng Mixed Noodles

Dinner

Taiwanese cuisine

Hotel

Lakeshore Hotel Yilan Arts Center / similar
4

Day 4

Yilan/Taipei

Yilan Traditional Arts Center

Its full name is the National Center for Traditional Arts, a flagship park for promoting traditional culture and crafts in Taiwan. The park's antique streets, red brick buildings, and arched corridors create a strong sense of antiquity, bringing together opera performances, craft exhibitions, and hands-on experiences, immersing visitors in the charm of Taiwanese folk art.

Yilan Cake DIY

The Yilan Cake DIY experience allows travelers to make this crispy and delicate Yilan specialty by hand. From rolling out the dough and filling to baking, every step is full of fun and a sense of accomplishment. Professional instructors provide on-site guidance, making it easy for both adults and children to learn. During the process, travelers can learn more about the history and production process of Yilan cakes, and the finished product can be taken home as a souvenir, making it both a meaningful keepsake and a thoughtful gift.

Ximending

It's one of Taipei's trendiest shopping districts, blending fashion, entertainment, and subculture, making it a hub for young people. Street graffiti, pop-up events, and street performers infuse the area with energy. It's home to a variety of clothing brands, unique restaurants, and cinemas, as well as the historic Ximending Red House, showcasing the charm of the fusion of cultural creativity and historical sites.

Breakfast

Enjoy at the hotel

Lunch

Nostalgic farmhouse rice harvesting + fun candied hawthorn + maltose DIY

Dinner

Ximending Self-Service Cooking

Hotel

Aloft Taipei Beitou Hotel / similar
5

Day 5

Taipei

Shen'ao Railway Bicycle

Cycling along the former Shen'ao branch railway, passing through mountain and sea tunnels and overlooking the azure coastline, feels like traveling through time. The track design, combined with lighting and landscaping, is magnificent by day and dreamlike by night, making it the most creative railway experience on the North Coast.

Fuki Fishing Port

Fuki Fishing Port is a well-known seafood distribution center on the North Coast, with fresh catches delivered daily, allowing you to enjoy the freshly caught seafood on-site. Seafood restaurants and a fish market are located along the harbor, perfect for strolling and dining while experiencing the charm of a fishing village and local delicacies.

Shimen Cave

Shimen Cave is a natural sea-eroded landform, with spectacular arches formed in the rock walls, showcasing the wonders of nature as the waves crash against the rocks. It's also a popular spot for watching the sunset and taking photos, where the sea and sky blend seamlessly, creating a breathtaking and invigorating scene.

Shimen Coral Shell Temple

It's a fantastical marine-themed temple crafted from hundreds of thousands of seashells and corals, resembling a dreamlike underwater palace. Located in Shimen District, New Taipei City, the Coral Shell Temple is dedicated to the "Living Buddha Ji Gong," blending faith and art. The overall design is filled with marine elements, including lobster pillars, colorful scallop walls, and a cave depicting the Eighteen Arhats. The temple grounds are spacious and open to the public free of charge. Worshippers can ascend the steps to experience the awe-inspiring feeling of entering an underwater world. It's a perfect spot for tourists to take photos, pray, and enjoy the North Coast.

Pineapple cake DIY

DIY pineapple cakes allow you to create this classic Taiwanese souvenir by hand. From kneading the dough and filling to baking, every step is full of fun. With expert guidance and the finished product you can take home, it's a therapeutic experience that combines culture, food, and handicrafts.

Breakfast

Enjoy at the hotel

Lunch

Cooking at home

Dinner

Michelin Bib Gourmand Recommendation – Three Wonders of the World

Hotel

Aloft Taipei Beitou Hotel / similar
6

Day 6

Taipei

Free time in Taipei all day

➡️Itinerary Recommendation 1: Artsy Route + Mini Nightlife
Morning: Visit Tangshan Bookstore or Women's Bookstore to experience Taipei's independent bookstore culture.
Lunch: At the old house restaurant on Qingtian Street
Afternoon: Explore the latter part of Dihua Street, including fabric shops, tea shops, and local businesses.
Evening: Head to the small bars or cafes on Chifeng Street to enjoy the artsy nightlife.

➡️Itinerary Recommendation 2: Military dependents' village culture + secluded stroll
Morning: Sisi South Village (Taipei's earliest military dependents' village, featuring cultural and creative shops and exhibitions)
Lunch: Head to a specialty restaurant or cafe in the alleys of Yongkang Street.
Afternoon: Treasure Rock International Art Village, explore artist studios and riverside secrets.
Evening: Gongguan Night Market, a food paradise loved by students.

Breakfast

Enjoy at the hotel

Lunch

Cooking at home

Dinner

Cooking at home

Hotel

Aloft Taipei Beitou Hotel / similar
7

Day 7

Taipei return trip

Breakfast

Enjoy on board

Lunch

In-flight dining

Remark

1. Hotel accommodation, meals, itinerary, transportation fares, and tickets specified in the itinerary.
2. Airport taxes, fuel surcharges, and miscellaneous surcharges in both places.
3. Our company has purchased "Travel Industry Performance Guarantee Insurance" of RMB 43 million, "Travel Industry Liability Insurance" of RMB 5 million per person for travel accidents, RMB 200,000 for accidental medical treatment and overseas emergency assistance in accordance
with the regulations of the Tourism Bureau.
*The new travel industry liability insurance will be implemented from 2023/10/1. For those under 15 years old and over 70 years old, the insurance limit is 2.5 million.
4. Tips for tour guides and drivers.

1. The fee for applying for a passport is NT$1,700.
*The original ID card and two recent two-inch color photos with white background are required. For those who have completed their military service, the new passport must be accompanied by a discharge order. The procedures for male military servicemen to go abroad are the same as those for ordinary people.
Men who are not serving in school must first apply to the Military Service Section of the local government to obtain an official document approving the departure of men serving abroad.

1. After registration and payment, the Tourism Bureau’s overseas travel standardized contract will take effect immediately. Changes or cancellations of the itinerary will be handled according to the contents of the contract.

2. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the group, the company reserves the right to change or swap the itinerary. The confirmation of the itinerary content, meals, flight times, landing cities, and accommodation hotels are based on the information of the final group briefing session.

The food content is mainly based on the actual ones provided by restaurants and hotels on the day. The accommodation room types are mainly based on the actual ones provided by the hotels, and the selection is based on the order of registration.

3. If the attractions that require tickets are closed or cannot be entered due to other force majeure factors, additional paid attractions will be adjusted or refunds will be processed depending on the situation. We apologize for your understanding.

4. If you do not return to the country with the group or change the return airport, you will need to pay the difference in air tickets, and the remaining tour fee will not be refunded.

5. To participate in this trip, you must hold a passport of the Republic of China (the passport is valid for more than six months until the day you return to the country). If you have dual nationality or hold a passport from another country, please check the relevant entry and exit information first.

(Taiwan Immigration and Immigration Service Global Information Network, Japan Exchange Association Taiwan Office), please proactively inform your service staff when registering.

6. If you are a military employee, going abroad must be approved by the unit to which you belong, and the approval stamp must be stamped on your passport. For male servicemen aged 19 to 36 who have not performed military service, going abroad must be approved by the Military Service Section of the household registration unit to which you belong.

And the approval stamp will be stamped on the passport.

7. The minimum number of people in a group is 10 (inclusive) to complete the trip, and the maximum number of people in a group is 40 (inclusive) or less.

8. According to the regulations of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, the daily use time of a bus from departure from the garage to return to the garage shall not exceed 9 hours to avoid traffic conditions caused by driver fatigue.

9. Seasonal attractions arranged to be visited during the itinerary (such as cherry blossom viewing, flower viewing, maple viewing, snow viewing, etc.) may be affected by actual on-site conditions at the time or force majeure factors such as weather.

Make adjustments to visit appropriate sightseeing spots at the right time.

10. Group seat location arrangements are subject to airline arrangements.

11. Once a ticket is issued, it cannot be refunded.

12. Photos of itinerary attractions, restaurants, and meals are for reference only. The scenery or dishes may vary depending on the season and shooting angle, so please understand.

13. If anyone leaves the group during the itinerary and does not participate in the contracted itinerary, it will be deemed to have given up on their own and no refund will be given. Please forgive me.

14. Our company is responsible for creating beautiful travel memories with senior citizens and family members with dementia. If you have such needs, please inform the service staff to provide you with the most appropriate service.

Please also bring your family to build your dream together.

💡 Itinerary Suggestions
– Clothing preparation: The temperature difference between day and night is large in mountainous areas such as Taipingshan and Jiuzhize Hot Spring, so it is recommended to bring a light jacket and waterproof clothing.
– Travel time: It takes a car ride from Taoyuan to Yilan and from Yilan to Taipei. It is recommended to bring snacks and water with you to stay comfortable.
– DIY activities: Handmade rice noodles, Yilan cakes, pineapple cakes, etc., perfect for taking photos. Remember to leave some space in your luggage to bring back souvenirs.
– Free day: The sixth day can be arranged for shopping, cultural and creative market or hot spring rest, according to personal preferences.
💡 Thoughtful Reminder
– Dining at night markets: Luodong Night Market and Ximending are crowded, so it is recommended to share smaller portions to try more of the food.
– Hot Spring Experience: Hatozawa Onsen is a high-altitude hot spring. Avoid soaking on an empty stomach or after drinking alcohol beforehand, and be careful not to soak for too long.
– Photo opportunities: The manor, forest trails, and Shimen Cave are all great spots for taking photos. It is recommended to bring a power bank to avoid running out of battery on your phone.
– Dietary habits: Some meals will be prepared by ourselves. It is recommended to check nearby restaurants or convenience stores in advance to avoid not being able to find suitable options at the last minute.

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Northern Splendor - A 7-Day Culinary Tour

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