2025 Taiwan 5-Day Tour Review: Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien

Planning a trip to Taiwan, you know, can feel like a big project. You have this island full of amazing temples, stunning nature, and really incredible food, and honestly, trying to fit it all in is a lot. As I was saying, I was looking for a way to see the highlights without the stress of arranging everything myself, so this five-day tour seemed like a pretty good fit. It actually promised to cover a huge amount of ground, from the mountains to the cities to the dramatic east coast. Anyway, this is a look back at the experience, with some frank thoughts on what you can really expect if you decide to go.

Day 1: The Peaceful Calm of Sun Moon Lake

The tour basically starts early, picking you up from a spot in Taipei. The first leg of the drive, you know, is mostly just getting out of the city and onto the highway. It’s a good time to sort of just relax and watch the scenery change from tall buildings to rolling green hills. To be honest, I was really looking forward to Sun Moon Lake the most. We actually arrived around lunchtime, and the first view of the water is just as good as people say. It is that kind of deep, emerald-green color, and the whole area is, you know, surrounded by these layers of soft, misty mountains. It really feels a bit like you have walked into a traditional painting.

Frankly, the best part of the day was the boat ride across the lake. The gentle breeze felt so good, and the boat captain, you know, slowed down at all the right spots for pictures. You could see Lalu Island in the middle, which is apparently a sacred place for the local Thao tribe. After the boat, we actually headed up to Wenwu Temple. The temple itself is a huge, grand structure with these really amazing views overlooking the entire lake. Walking around, you just can’t help but notice the detailed carvings and the smell of incense that is kind of hanging in the air. The hotel for the night was nearby, and you can just imagine how nice it was to have a view of the quiet lake at sunset.

Day 2: Finding History in Tainan’s Ancient Streets

The next morning, right, we left the quiet of the mountains behind and started heading south. The destination was Tainan, which is, like, the oldest city in Taiwan and its former capital. Honestly, the change in atmosphere is pretty quick. You can sort of feel the history as soon as you arrive. Our guide was really good here, telling us all about the Dutch occupation and the different dynasties that shaped the city. In fact, our first big stop was Fort Zeelandia, or Anping Fort as it’s now called. Walking around the old brick walls, you can almost picture what it was like hundreds of years ago.

Later on, we went to the Chihkan Tower, which is another really key historical site. At the end of the day, it’s fascinating to see how these places have been preserved right in the middle of a modern city. What I mean is that you can be looking at a centuries-old monument, and then you turn around and there’s a bubble tea shop. Anyway, Tainan is also famous for its food. So the guide pointed out a few local spots, and we got to try some things like coffin bread, which is this really interesting hollowed-out toast filled with a creamy chowder. It was, you know, a very different kind of day from the natural setting of Sun Moon Lake, but just as good.

Day 3: Kaohsiung’s Big City Energy and Culture

From Tainan, you know, it’s a really short drive to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s largest port and a very different sort of place. Honestly, where Tainan felt old and historical, Kaohsiung feels much more modern and a little bit quirky. Our first stop was a place that is almost impossible to forget: the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at Lotus Pond. You literally walk in through the dragon’s mouth and out through the tiger’s, which is supposed to bring you good fortune. Inside, the walls are covered with these really colorful murals telling all sorts of stories. It’s definitely a unique photo opportunity.

The afternoon, however, was on a totally different scale. We actually visited the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, which is, well, absolutely huge. The grounds are incredibly peaceful, and the long walkway leads up to this giant, serene golden Buddha statue that you can see from miles away. Seriously, even if you’re not a religious person, the sheer size and artistry of the place are quite impressive. Kaohsiung is also a very artsy city, and you sort of get a sense of that as you drive through it. At night, you have some free time, and places like the Liuhe Night Market are just calling your name, full of amazing smells and so much to see.

Day 4 & 5: The Breathtaking East Coast and Taroko Gorge

So, day four involves a lot of driving, but it’s probably the most beautiful part of the whole trip. We left Kaohsiung and started the journey up Taiwan’s east coast towards Hualien. This part of the country is, you know, much less populated and incredibly dramatic. The road more or less hugs the coastline, so on one side you have these steep, green cliffs, and on the other, you have the deep blue Pacific Ocean crashing against the shore. We obviously made a few stops along the way at different scenic points to stretch our legs and just take it all in. The views are just non-stop.

The whole point of going to Hualien, really, is to see Taroko National Park the next morning. And it just lives up to all the hype. The park is basically a massive gorge carved out by a river over millions of years, creating these incredible marble cliffs that go straight up. We visited a few key areas, like the Swallow Grotto, where you actually have to wear a hard hat because of the risk of falling rocks. You walk along this path carved right into the side of the cliff, with the roaring river way down below you. It’s an incredibly powerful experience. After spending a good part of the morning there, it was, you know, finally time to head back north. The tour ends with a train ride from Hualien back to Taipei, which is a really smart way to finish since it’s much faster and more comfortable than driving the whole way back.

Is This Taiwan Tour Right for You?

At the end of the day, you have to think about what you want from a trip. This tour is, like, incredibly efficient. You get to see a huge part of Taiwan in just five days, something that would be really difficult to organize on your own with public transportation. The hotels they picked were actually pretty nice and comfortable, usually well-located. For example, some meals are included, typically at local restaurants, giving you a good taste of regional food, but you also have free evenings to explore on your own. Honestly, that’s a pretty good balance.

I mean, the pace is definitely quick. You have early starts most days, and there’s quite a bit of time spent on the bus. If you’re someone who likes to spend a whole day in one spot, this might feel a little rushed. But, if you’re like me and your goal is to get a great overview of the island’s top sights, then frankly, the pace is perfect.

Who I Think Would Like This Trip:

• First-time visitors to Taiwan: Honestly, it’s a perfect introduction that covers all the main highlights without any of the logistical headaches.
• Solo travelers: It’s a really easy and safe way to see the country, and you get to meet other people on the bus, you know.
• People who don’t want to drive: The idea of driving in another country, especially navigating mountain roads, is kind of stressful. This completely removes that worry.
• Travelers with limited time: I mean, if you only have a week in Taiwan, this tour lets you see so much more than you could on your own.

Read our full review: [2025 Best of Taiwan Tour Full Review and Details]
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