Taiwan Adventure: Bike, Walk, and Dumplings

Today marks the beginning of our multi-active adventure, starting right in the heart of the city. We’ll meet at your hotel, a perfect starting point for the day’s fun.

Our first stop is a traditional lunch featuring tasty xiaolongbao and Taiwanese dumplings. After lunch, we’ll take a short ferry ride to Cijin Island, where we’ll explore by foot.

We’ll visit old temples, check out local food markets, and for those feeling adventurous, hike up to the lighthouse. The view from the top is breathtaking, overlooking the city and Monkey Mountain, with an option for a refreshing swim at the beach.

As the sun starts to set, we’ll head back to our hotel. After checking in, we’ll dive into the city’s vibrant night market scene. From juicy steaks to delicious noodles, and fragrant stinky tofu to sweet rice cakes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, including a variety of fresh tropical fruits.

This morning, we say goodbye to the city and head towards the charming Hakka settlement of Meinong. Tucked away at the foot of the beautiful Southern Mountains, Meinong is known for its rich cultural heritage.

After getting fitted for our bikes, we’ll take a leisurely ride through the picturesque countryside. Along the way, we’ll pass ancient temples peeking out from the greenery, vast rice fields stretching into the distance, and colorful fruit orchards dotting the landscape. The gentle rustle of bamboo adds to the peaceful atmosphere as we pedal.

Our cycling adventure ends at the magnificent Foguangshan Monastery, an impressive Buddhist complex that we’ll explore on foot.

As the day comes to a close, we’ll return to Kaohsiung to freshen up for a delicious dinner outing.

This morning, our adventure begins on the peaceful waters of Lotus Lake as we glide on stand-up paddle boards. The lake is decorated with temples, shrines, and pagodas, making our early morning SUP session even more enchanting.

After paddling back to shore, we say goodbye to the city and head south. We pause for lunch by the ocean, enjoying the coastal scenery before heading inland. Our route takes us through the mountains, following a winding road that leads us through the lush interior of the Hengchun Peninsula.

As we start our ride, we’ll pass through quiet indigenous villages and historic battlefields, keeping an eye out for playful monkeys. The terrain gradually evens out as we reach our overnight stop in a beautiful valley. Here, we can relax in hot springs and enjoy the mountain views.

For dinner, we’ll try traditional indigenous dishes like salted fish, wild boar with onions, and fresh mountain vegetables.

We’ll begin the morning with a scenic drive to the beautiful Hengchun Peninsula. Our destination is Baisha Beach, a stunning tropical paradise featured in Ang Lee’s movie, ‘Life of Pi.’ You’ll have the morning to snorkel, swim, or simply relax on this picturesque shore.

After our beach time, we’ll head to Houbihu Marina for a tasty seafood lunch. Then, a short ride will take us to our hotel in Kenting.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace in this lively beach town. Whether you want to relax or try out some activities, Kenting offers plenty of options for a memorable break in our adventure-filled journey.

After a satisfying breakfast, we’ll get ready to ride our bikes north to the charming walled town of Hengchun. Then, we’ll cross the peninsula, passing through its various landscapes until we reach the rugged beauty of the East Coast.

Once we hit the ocean, our adventure takes a different turn as we switch from pedals to paddles. We’ll kayak along a tidal river, surrounded by peaceful countryside.

After a well-deserved lunch break, we’ll prepare for the last part of our ride.

We’ll cycle along dramatic cliffs with breathtaking views of the coast, heading towards the southernmost tip of the island, where the scenery is stunning. Our journey ends back in the lively center of Kenting.

After breakfast, we’ll explore the rugged beauty of Kenting National Park, where we’ll see stunning views of the whole peninsula. Our hike will take us through this wild landscape, passing coral formations, mysterious caves, and tall banyan trees. Along the way, we might spot monkeys, eagles, deer, and maybe even a shy snake.

After our hike, we’ll head back to Kenting for a delicious lunch.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy—relax by the pool or on the beach, do some shopping, or check out the lively night market. If you’re interested in marine life, you can also visit the amazing National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium.

This morning, you have the opportunity to relax and enjoy some leisure time at your own pace. You can soak up the sun at the beach, swim in the hotel’s pool, or treat yourself to a spa treatment or massage.

After checking out of the hotel, our journey comes to an end with a transfer back to Kaohsiung. This marks the conclusion of our adventure as we arrive back in the city.