This is the version of East Asia where empires and night markets share a passport. Stone warriors, ancient walls, and lantern-lit alleys pair with high-speed rail and skylines that glow until morning. Your CEO leads a small group through it all, at the speed China and Taiwan demand — and the variety only they can offer.
Travel Style
Classic
Service Level
Standard
Physical Grading
3 - Average
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Shanghai
Your Local Living Moment: Bunun Indigenous Tribe Experience, Shuanglong Bunun Village. Shuanglong Bunun Village. Taipei Orientation Walk. Half Day City Tour of Taipei. Longshan Temple Visit. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. Elephant Mountain. Free time in Taipei. Rainbow Suspension Bridge. Bunun Indigenous Tribe Experience. Free Time in Sun Moon Lake. Free Time in Tainan. Anping Historic District Tour. Anping Fort Visit. Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Free time in Kaohsiung. Jiufen Historic town visit. Golden Waterfalls. Yin Yang Sea Lookout Point. Heping Island Visit. Mutianyu Great Wall excursion. Tiananmen Square guided visit. Forbidden City guided tour. Terracotta Warriors guided tour. Xi'an Ancient City Wall visit. Muslim Quarter visit. Master of the Nets Garden visit. Shantang Street walking tour. The Bund orientation walk. Nanjing Road walk. Shanghai city orientation walk. Shanghai Museum visit. Shanghai acrobatic performance. Internal flights. All transportation in between activities.
What are the main highlights of this trip?
Stand atop the Great Wall of China where it was built to be seen, Walk among the thousands of Terracotta Warriors guarding Xi'an, Wander Shanghai's futuristic skyline and historic waterfront promenade, Eat your way through the night markets of Beijing, Xi'an and Taiwan, Lose an evening to Jiufen's lantern-lit alleyways and mountain views, Take in the still waters and mountain views of Sun Moon Lake
How large will the group be?
Max 16, avg 12
What meals are included in this trip?
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches
What are the modes of transportation on my trip?
Train (local / bullet), local bus, metro, private van/bus, walking.
Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Where will we stay during the trip?
Hotels (14 nts), overnight train (1 nt).
Beijing
Arrive at any time. Is Beijing top of your must-see list? Booking pre-trip accommodations will let you do Beijing your way before meeting up with the group.
Beijing
Enjoy an included visit to the Great Wall. Later, explore Tiananmen Square. Head out of town to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. Spend time wandering around, taking photos, and picking up souvenirs. In the afternoon head to Tiananmen Squarem followed by a night walk to the local market.
Beijing/Xi'an
Take the Beijing metro to visit the Forbidden City. Later, board a fast train to Xi'an.
Xi'an/Suzhou
Visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. Continue exploring Xi'an with a visit to the Ancient City Wall and the Muslim Quarters. Tonight, board an overnight train to Suzhou. Train is our main mode of transport in China and it's a great way to travel. We aim to get the best sleeping berths available on each train journey. However, train tickets availability is limited during peak travel times, including summer vacations and Chinese national holidays. As such, it is possible that the group may be separated into different carriages or assigned top sleeping berths.
Suzhou
Wake this morning and grab coffee and a snack on the train as you prepare to pull into Suzhou. After arrival, visit Suzhou's famed Master of the Nets Garden, one of the most beautiful gardens in China and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around Shantang Street. Enjoy a free dinner before riding the metro back to the hotel with your CEO.
Suzhou/Shanghai
This morning, ride the bullet train to Shanghai. Join your CEO for an orientation walk of the famed Bund and Nanjing Shopping Road before a free evening in Shanghai.
Shanghai
This morning, join your CEO for an orientation walk around the city to see the shops and historic buildings. Join your CEO at the Shanghai Museum or head out to venture through this beautiful city on your own. Maybe start with a visit to the nearby Yuyuan Gardens.
Shanghai/Taipei
Today, you’ll fly from Shanghai to Taipei. Upon arrival, enjoy some free time to settle in and take in your first impressions of Taiwan at your own pace.
Taipei
Explore the amazing city of Taipei on a CEO led tour this morning. Ride the local metro around the city to visit famed spots like Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall and to hike up Elephant Mountain. The afternoon if yours to continue exploring the city as you please.
Taipei/Sun Moon Lake
Our day begins with a high-speed train to Taichung, followed by a scenic drive to the Shuanglong Bunun Village. There, we will receive a warm welcome and participate in a meaningful Bunun Name-Giving Ceremony, guided by a local community member. Continue with a hike to the highest suspension bridge in Taiwan, offering breathtaking views of the central mountains and Shuanglong Waterfalls. We'll then return to the village for lunch and a fascinating tour, learning about the Bunun people's rich heritage through their folk legends, dances, and art. This intimate experience is a special opportunity to engage directly with an indigenous Taiwanese community. Afterward, we will bid farewell to our hosts and drive to Sun Moon Lake, where we can enjoy a peaceful evening at our leisure.
Sun Moon Lake
Today is yours to explore one of the most beautiful places in all of Taiwan, Sun Moon Lake. The bike trail around the lake was named as one of the top scenic bike trails in the world, so we recommend joining your CEO for an optional bike tour of the lake. Or maybe you wish to visit a tea plantation and learn of their famous local tea. Or how about a boat tour around the lake. The day is yours!
Sun Moon Lake/Tainan
This morning we drive to historic Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city and ancient capital. Enjoy free time for lunch and exploring before joining a local-led walking tour of Anping Old Street, Banyan Tree House and Fort Zeelandia.
Tainan/Kaohsiung
Drive to Kaohsiung, with a stop to gaze upon the massive golden Buddha. Then, visit the spectacular Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Here you can also see the beautiful Lotus Pond and the Summer and Autumn Pavilions. Enjoy some time for lunch on your own before checking into the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to see the coastal town of Kaohsiung.
Kaohsiung/Taipei
Have breakfast at the hotel before taking the high speed train to Taipei. After dropping your bags at the hotel, the day is yours to tick off your remaining must-see places in Taipei. Don’t miss the chance to hit up some of the amazing beef noodle soup shops around the city.
Taipei
Take a day trip to the north of the island, starting with the breathtaking Golden Waterfall on the way to Jiufen, one of the most picturesque mountain towns. Wander through the beautiful alleyways and peaceful tea houses, a perfect place to grab some lunch too if you wish. Then drive to Keelung, a historic port and fishing town. Visit Heping Island, a nature reserve boasting an incredible coastline. Before heading back to Taipei, explore the Keelung Night Market and try some incredible local treats like stinky tofu or blood cakes.
Taipei
Depart at any time.
Is travel insurance required for my trip?
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your CEO, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Have Questions? Email Us or call us at 780-962-3010
