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Belly-God
's
yummy yummy tour: taiwan series
Second Taste of Formosa
New Itinerary with Unforgettable Culinary Delicacy
Covering Cities: Taoyuan (Taipei), Hsinchu, Nantou, Chiayi,
Kaohsiung, Taitung, Hualien, Yilan (Jiaoxi)
Hot pot
Onsen Spa
Mar 17 – 25 (9 Days), 2015
Alishan Forest Railway
Taroko National Park.
International Flight from Honolulu
Deluxe Hotel Accommodations (Based On Double Occupancy)
Admissions and Meals as Stated
Daily Bottle Water
Round Island to Visit 3 Most Popular Raking Scenic Spots in
Taiwan: • Sun Moon Lake with Boat Ride • Alishan (Mt. Ali)
National Scenic Area with Forest Railway • Taroko Marble Gorge
* DIY Paper Experience
* 3 Nights at Nature Hot Spring Hotel
* Night Market
* Local Specialty: Hakka Cuisine, Shaoxing Cuisine, Fruit Meal,
Green Tea Cuisine, All You Can Eat Hot Pot, Truku Cuisine,
Crock Soup, Taiwanese Dim Sum….
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Sun Moon Lake
Price per person: $
Incl: Tax & Fuel Surcharge
2, 688
SINGLE SUPP: $ 700
50 S. Beretania Street, Suite C - 211B, Honolulu, HI 96813
www.airseatvl.com
Honolulu – Taipei (Taoyuan)
Day 1**Mar 17
We start our adventure by boarding an international flight to Taipei, the capital city, and also the political, economic, and
cultural center of Taiwan (ROC). Meals and snacks will be served on the plane.
Day 2**Mar 18
Taoyuan
Upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, an Air & Sea Travel representative will greet us and we transfer
to our hotel. Taoyuan is the county developed from a satellite city of Taipei metropolitan area which is the fourth
largest metropolitan in Taiwan.
Hotel Accommodation: Novotel Hotel Taoyuan or similar
Day 3**Mar 19
Taoyuan – Hsinchu – Sun Moon Lake (Nantou)
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will proceed south to Hsinchu, noted for high tech industry. Our first stop is the Neiwan Old
Street. The Old Street is replete with Hakka culture. Its array of Hakka snacks and handicrafts have enticed droves
of tourists to visit. Also located on the Old Street is the Neiwan Theater, one of the few wooden cinemas remaining
in Taiwan. Its classic posters are excellent photo backdrops, and the old-fashioned grocery stores outside the theater
may bring back memories from many Taiwanese people’s childhood. After lunch, our second stop is the Guangxing
Paper Factory to learn about paper history and the handmade papermaking skills. We will see the process of boiling
fibers, washing fibers, making pulp, forming paper, pressing excess water and drying paper. We also will attend a
paper crafts class to experience DIY paper and fan making by ancient printing techniques. After dinner, we will transfer
to our nature hot spring hotel in Sun Moon Lake in Nantou.
Fleur de Chine Hotel Mountain Mist Spring: The steady breeze swaying along, the intoxicating fragrance emitting
from the water slides made from Chinese cypress timbers and the steam rising from the hot spring all amalgamating
in the misty air, one can immerse naked in the spring pool to enjoy the soothing feeling of relaxing their nerves,
while admiring the scenery on the horizon cast by the sunset glow, enjoying a godlike enjoyment experience, being
happy and at ease with oneself.
*Lunch: Hakka Restaurant at Neiwan Theater, specializing in the cooking style of the Hakka, which was introduced by the people
who originated in the southeastern Chinese provinces of Guangdong and Fujian. Hakka Sealed Pork is one of their signature
dishes, made of with a complicated method and four different seasoning, it offers the authentic taste of Hakka.
*Dinner: Puli Jing Du Restaurant a Shaoxing dish restaurant, the main branch of Zhejiang Cuisine, with its tender, smooth and
delicate taste, the dish here boasts a refreshing flavor and mild fragrance. Also, most of the food is cooked with mild Shaoxing rice
wine so that the dishes are accompanied with the special fragrance of rice wine.
Hotel Accommodation: Fleur de Chine Hotel Sun Moon Lake or similar
(B, L, D)
Sun Moon Lake – Chiayi
Day 4**Mar 20
Sun Moon Lake is the largest body of water in Taiwan as well as a popular tourist attraction. This lake surrounds
a tiny island called Lalu and the east side resembles a sun while the west side resembles a moon, hence the name.
Today, we will take a boat ride from Sheshui terminal to Syuanguang Temple. This temple lies between Sun
Lake and Moon Lake. Inside is a golden idol of Master Syuanzang, above which is written, “Great National Scholar”.
A wharf has been built by the waters, with its back to the mountains. After our lunch, we will discover Ita Thao
Indigenous Village. Once known as Dehua Village, this is the main Thao settlement. The Thao Aborigines claim
that their ancestors originated from Alishan. Traditional Thao performances and cultural exhibitions are offered here,
as well as a shopping area full of Thao atmosphere. Afterwards, we will continue our journey to Chiayi, the gateway
city to famous Alishan (Mt. Ali). Hinoki Village is our next stop. There are 28 different Japanese-style houses
in the village including stores and markets. Every store or market references a very traditional Taiwanese culture
and stuff. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel and stay overnight.
*Lunch: Fullhouse Resort Sun Moon Lake – Fruit Meal. Fruit Meal plays a special role in Taiwanese cuisine. You cannot compare
it with fruit salad in Western. Taiwanese people will perform for us on how they perfectly combine fruit with different dishes together
by Sugar-apple, Dragon Fruit, Wax-apple, Persimmon, Pineapple and Mango.
*Dinner: Chia Yi Dong Yuan Shiuean Restaurant is a restaurant built in an artificial garden offering healthy vegetable and meat’s
mix meal, both the best taste of the foods and the quality is guaranteed.
Hotel Accommodation: Nice Prince Hotel Chiayi or similar
Day 5**Mar 21
Chiayi – Alishan National Scenic Area – Kaohsiung
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, we will go to Alishan National Scenic Area, one of the major landmarks associated with Taiwan.
250 years ago, a chief of the Tsou tribe went hunting in a mountain and had great gains. In memory of the chief, the
Tsou tribe named the Alishan. The song Alishan de guniang (Chinese: 阿里山的姑娘; English: The Girls of Alishan)
that refers to the beautiful girls of the Tsou aboriginal tribe, is one of Taiwan's most popular folk songs. This song is
also well known in China and several foreign countries. It is time for us to take the Alishan Forest Railway which
is a 54 miles network of 2 ft. 6 in. narrow gauge railways running up to and throughout the mountain resort of Alishan.
It is a tourist attraction with unique Z-shaped switchbacks, 50 tunnels, and over 77 wooden bridges. In addition, it is one
of three mountain rails in the world. After lunch, we will transfer to Kaohsiung. This is one of the five special
municipalities in Taiwan. Since its start at 17th century, Kaohsiung has grown from a small trading village, into the
political, economic, transportation, manufacturing refining, shipbuilding, and industrial center of southern Taiwan. After
dinner, we can walk along the famous Love River (Ai River) as it is of great cultural significance to the people of
Kaohsiung and plays an important role in its economy and tourism. It is the spine of Kaohsiung and it plays a similar
role to the River Thames of London. Liu Ho Night market, one of the most popular markets in Taiwan is close by
and we can also walk there. It is a place where local merchants sell snacks and provide entertainment.
We will walk around and experience Taiwan’s nightlife.
*Lunch: Alishan House Chinese Meal. All of ingredients are from Alishan National Area. No matter the vegetables or meats, they
are all from natural and wild. These great ingredients with Chinese cooking style will maximize the taste to satisfy your stomach.
*Dinner: Bravo Hot Pot – All you can eat! Your tongue will tell you the differences that a Taiwanese hot pot and the one you had
in Western. You will find their hot pot is more delicious. Select your own meat, vegetable & others. Mix or create personal sauce.
Hotel Accommodation: Chateau de Chine Hotel Kaohsiung or similar
(B, L, D)
Kaohsiung – Taitung
Day 6**Mar 22
After breakfast, we will go to Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area. Dapeng Bay is the largest inner bay in Taiwan,
providing rich resources of sea animals and plants in this region. Redwoods and sea eggplants are growing by the sea;
Ipomoea pes-caprae, Excoecaria agallocha, and Clerodendron inerme are all very famous. The animals in the Dapeng
Bay National Scenic Area are mainly birds, fish and molluskc. There are about 95 kinds of birds, including migratory
birds. Fish include groupers, and other sea animals include a special kind of tide-waving crabs on the wetlands. We
will take the ferry there to see the whole Dapeng Bay and the beautiful lake. We will go to Huaciao Fish Market in
Tong Gang, a fishing pot, called the biggest distribution center of blue-fin tuna. There we can find a variety of delicious
foods, especially the fresh and dry seafood. The three treasures of Tong Gang are Blue-fin tuna, banded coral shrimp
(Sakura shrimp), and oil fish eggs. Then we will drive to Taitung via Southern Link Highway, the third largest county
in Taiwan, located in the eastern coast. After we check in at our nature hot spring hotel, we will have a hearty hotel
buffet for dinner. Please feel free to use hotel facilities and don’t forget to try the hot spring there!
Hotel Royal Chihpen is situated in the scenic Chihpen area of Taitung County. It is blessed with natural hot spring
water and surrounded with rich, natural scenic attractions such as gorges, waterfalls, the Chihpen Forest Recreation
Area, etc. The natural hot spring resources and an international setting have made the Hotel Royal Chihpen the first,
world-class hot spring leisure resort in the eastern part of Taiwan. In door recreation facilities include both in- and
out-door hot spring bathing facilities.
*Lunch: Jizahen Seafood Restaurant is a restaurant right next to Huaciao Market. Here, only the freshest seafood will be provided.
All of the seafood is caught daily from the ocean.
*Dinner: Buffet Dinner at Hotel. A little bit homesick and missing western food after all of yummy Taiwanese foods we already had?
Tonight, we will have buffet dinner for you to take a yummy break before the 2nd round.
Hotel Accommodation: Royal Chihpen Hotel Taitung or similar
(B, L, D)
Taitung – Hualien
Day 7**Mar 23
After breakfast, our tour will go to the Luyeh Hill. It is a highland area located to the north of Longtian, in Yongan
Village, Luye Township. The unique geographical conditions of this area make it a superior place for eastern Taiwan
paragliding activities. After lunch, we will go to Mr. Brown Avenue, a “green road of paradise.” It has vast green
rice fields without a wire pole along the roadside. We can truly feel how borderless it is. The avenue has good views for
photograph and can bring our mind away from the hustle. Then, we will go to Hualien by driving through the Huatung
Valley, a long and narrow valley located at the between Chungyang Range and Haian Range. It is also recognized
as a plain area which stretches for about 180 kilometers near the eastern coast of Taiwan, passes from the Hualien City
at the north to the Taitung City at the south. After arrive in Hualien, we will go to our last stop for today – Hualien
Sugar Factory. Over there, we will obtain some knowledge about Taiwanese sugar industry. The factory also has
a frozen products department which produces all flavors of popsicles and ice cream. These products are very popular
with both local and foreign tourists, and a “trip to the sugar factory to sample the ice cream products” has became a
favorite tourist activity. After dinner, we will transfer to our hotel and check-in.
*Lunch: Auntie’s Tea Food Restaurant. This is one of local famous restaurant because they use green tea as main ingredient for
their dishes. Sounds interesting and taste delicious, all of their special green tea dishes will refresh you from heavy oil.
*Dinner: Sakura Healthy Kitchen. Specialized in the cooking style of promoting and maintaining healthy status of your body, the
Healthy Kitchen serves the delicious food that is low in fat and calories, specifically beneficial for the elderly.
Hotel Accommodation: Fullon Hotel and Resort or Similar
Day 8**Mar 24
Hualien – Yilan (Jiaoxi)
(B, L, D)
Today’s highlight is Taroko National Park. It is one of the eight national parks in Taiwan. The name, Taroko,
means “magnificent and beautiful” in the Truku language of the Truku indigenous tribe. Taroko Gorge is an exceptional
beautiful, narrow raving created by the Liwu River which has cut deep into the mountains of solid marble. A road
carved into sheer walls of rock rewinding its way past forested peaks and cliffs towering thousands of feet above it, while
hundreds of feet below a river roars past gigantic marble boulders. Passing by Shakadang Trail, Tse Mu Bridge,
we will get Tienshiang. Stop will be made at Swallow Grotto (Yanzikou). It is the most impressive natural scenes
in Taroko and the canyons here are the narrowest. Tourists can appreciate the natural beauty along the tour track.
Swallows nest on the cliff, chirping and flying back forth. The Taroko monumental is designed in Chinese style and
Changchun Temple is to remember. We will then drive to Yilan with a stop at Cingshui Cliff. The route along
the Qingshui Cliff is the only coastal road in Taroko National Park. The site of the Qingshui Cliff was designated in 1953
by the Taiwan government as one of the island's "Eight Wonders." Yilan is a county in Northeastern Taiwan blessed
with natural beauty and a rich culture. Our first stop will be Plum Blossom Lake. The plum blossom is the National
Flower of Taiwan, is symbol for resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, because plum blossoms often
bloom most vibrantly even amidst the harsh winter snow. People are calling it Plum Blossom Lake because of its
resemblance to a plum flower with five pedals. It is an area that occupies a wide expanse of land and bordered by
verdant mountains on 3 sides, featuring outstanding scenery. A small island sits in the middle of the lake with a
suspension bridge connecting it to the circular trail, providing an exquisite view. After this gorgeous sightseeing, we
will check in to our hot spring resort for tonight at Jiaoxi. During our stay, feel free to enjoy the onsen spa inside the
resort, as this rejuvenating experience will help reduce insomnia and aids in recovering from fatigue.
Jiaoxi Hot Springs: The reef brook hot spring belongs to the sodium bicarbonate spring. It richly contains sodium,
magnesium, calcium, potassium, carbonic acid ion chemical composition and is a Taiwan rare flat land hot spring.
This spring water is clear and not smelly and makes our skin soft and supple.
*Lunch: Dageeli Aboriginal Style Restaurant, The restaurant uses all natural traditional Truku ingredients in their kitchen with an
aboriginal cooking style. The restaurant offers services in tour guiding and traditional song and dance performances. At Dageeli,
customers are not only able to enjoy delicious aboriginal cuisine, but also get to see what traditional Truku culture is all about.
*Dinner: Nobel Family Steak House. Just like Japanese, Taiwanese people are very serious for the steak cooking. An imperfect
steak is not allowed to present to their customers. Tonight, we can have the steak and all you eat salad & desert bar.
Hotel Accommodation: Jiaoshi Art Spa Hotel or similar
Day 9**Mar 25
Yilan – Taoyuan – Honolulu
(B, L, D)
Relax at our hotel a little bit after our breakfast, we will transfer to our first stop today – Wufongchi Waterfall. This
is one of the eight great scenic spots of the Lanyang Plains in Yilan County. It is named for the five sharp peaks which
stand in a row behind the falls that look like the five triangular banners that usually hang down the back of the war
general’s costume in Chinese Opera. Fog and mist drift gracefully around the mountaintop year-long, and torrents of
mountain springs continuously flow down its slopes, forming the three layers of cascades that are now the Wufongchi
Falls. After lunch, we will visit the last attraction – National Center for Traditional Arts. This is the best place
to discover the Taiwanese culture. Over there, we can see the Folk Art Boulevard of the old city or students’ performance
of Taiwanese Opera and even more interesting things. Afterwards, we drive through Syue-Shan Tunnel (12.9 Kms),
the longest tunnel in Taiwan to Taoyuan City. After dinner, we will transfer to Taoyuan International Airport for our return
flight home, ending our fantastic journey to Taiwan.
*Lunch: Crock Soup. In Chinese culture, people believe that crock is the best dishware for cooking soup. Crock can only be used
for slow cooking style, because of this limitation, all the nutrition will stay inside the soup instead being evaporated through the
cooking time.
*Dinner: Taiwanese Food Court. Today’s dinner will serve all the Taiwanese traditional local snacks and meals, such as danzai
noodles, Golden Fried Shrimp Rolls, and others. Really allows you to enjoy a good range of Taiwan's delectable specialty dishes,
which are exquisitely presented.
We wish you a safe journey and capture many wonderful memories to share with family and friends!
B: Breakfast | L: Lunch | D: Dinner
☺
Welcome to Taiwan
Remarks:
Escorted tour with a minimum of 20 passengers.
Local English speaking tour guide service
All transfers and sightseeing by air conditioned coach
Refer to “General Condition of Grande Holiday”
We reserve the right to modify the itinerary for smooth operation
Tips and gratuities are not included
Tour price is subject to change according to any airfare increase, increase in government taxes,
additional fuel charges and fluctuation of the rate of exchange between U.S. and foreign currency
Tour price includes fuel surcharge & government taxes and fees. The tour price shown is current
at time of listing and pricing on Oct 15th, 2014
Payment Policy:
CHECK OR CASH PAYMENT ONLY. A deposit of $350 per person is required at the time of
application. The balance of payment is due 70 days prior. In case balance of payment is not
made within the required time period, Air and Sea Travel Center reserves the right to cancel
reservations and charge some service fee for cancellation.
Written notice is required for any cancellation.
$ 350 deposit is non-refundable if you cancel within 70 days before departure.
Within 70 days before departure, the cancellation fee will be as follow:
** 69-31 days prior departure, 50% of total price plus any other service fee caused from the cancellation;
** 30 days prior to departure or withdraw during the tour shall be regarded as willingly give up all rights concerned,
100% of total price, and request for the other service as substitute shall not be accepted.
Also we strongly recommend you to purchase travel insurance when you make a reservation.