Taiwan: Mountains, Rivers & Night Markets — 9 Days
Hike four of Taiwan's Top 100 peaks, traverse river gorges, and navigate the island's largest night markets over nine days, based in Taipei, Shei-Pa National Park, and Taichung.
This nine-day itinerary threads together Taiwan's mountain wilderness, river valleys, and urban food culture. The route moves between Taipei's night markets, the high-altitude trails and prairie of Shei-Pa National Park (where four of Taiwan's Top 100 Mountains are summited in a single day), river-traced gorges in the north, the abandoned rail line and ancient forests of Alishan, and tea terraces in the highlands. Nights split between three-to-four-star urban hotels, a mountain lodge, and a tea-country guesthouse. The pacing alternates between sustained hiking days, river activities, and city-based evening exploration—designed for travelers comfortable with both remote trails and established hospitality.
Highlights
- Summit four of Taiwan's Top 100 Mountains (Zhongba Prairie traverse, 20 km, from Shei-Pa National Park)
- River trace through a scenic northern gorge to a 40-meter waterfall, with riverside lunch and swimming
- Visit the Mian Yue Rail Line, an abandoned railway through Alishan National Forest with trestle bridges, tunnels, and old-growth forest
- Tea farm visit and guided tasting in Alishan Township, followed by exploration of Fenqihu Old Street
- Evening visits to three of Taiwan's largest night markets: one in Taipei, FengChia in Taichung, and a second in Taipei
Day by day
1Arrival in Taipei: Temples, Night Markets, and Welcome Dinnertemples · central Taipei · a vibrant night market
Arrive and transfer to central Taipei. Visit temples and the city's older quarters. Join a group welcome dinner, then walk through a lively night market amid food stalls and local vendors.
2Tonghou Traversing Trail and Jiaoxi Hot SpringsTonghou Traversing Trail · Jiaoxi Hot Springs
Travel north from Taipei to begin the Tonghou Traversing Trail, an ancient route used by Taiwan's Atayal Tribe. The hike crosses river valleys with several stream crossings and river swimming opportunities. After completing the trail, transfer to Jiaoxi Hot Springs for a soak. Dinner features roasted chicken, a regional specialty.
3Jiaoxi River Trace and Return to TaipeiTaipei · scenic gorge · 40-meter waterfall · riverside · a different major night market
A full-day river trace begins with exploration of a scenic gorge, progressing upstream through water and rock to a 40-meter waterfall. Lunch is taken riverside. The group returns to Taipei for the evening, with a second visit to a different major night market for dinner and exploration.
4Shei-Pa National Park: Bike Ride and Mountain CabinShei-Pa National Park · JiuJiu Mountain Cabin
Bike 19 kilometers through Shei-Pa National Park's lower terrain, then hike four kilometers to JiuJiu Mountain Cabin. Settle in at the lodge and share dinner with indigenous hosts.
5Dabajianshan: Four Top 100 PeaksZhongba Prairie · cabin
Pre-dawn breakfast launches a 20-kilometer alpine traverse across Zhongba Prairie. Summit four of Taiwan's Top 100 Mountains before returning to cabin.
6Guanwu Forest to Taichung: Hakka Lunch and FengChia Night MarketFengChia Night Market · Guanwu National Forest · Hakka Old Street
A leisurely morning hike or bike through Guanwu National Forest leads to a Hakka Old Street lunch. The afternoon drive reaches Taichung for an evening exploring FengChia Night Market's hundreds of food stalls.
7Mian Yue Rail Line: Abandoned Railway Through Alishan ForestMian Yue Rail Line · Alishan National Forest · Alishan National Forest to Alishan Township
Visit the abandoned Mian Yue Rail Line threading through Alishan National Forest. The route passes ancient trees, crosses trestle bridges, and enters rock tunnels. Dinner within the forest precedes transfer to Alishan Township.
8Alishan: Sunrise Hike and Tea Farmtea terraces above Alishan Township · local tea farm · Fenqihu Old Street · Alishan to Taipei · night market in Taipei
A sunrise hike crosses tea terraces above Alishan Township, followed by a guided tasting at a local tea farm. The afternoon visits Fenqihu Old Street's preserved wooden shophouses before lunch of local bento boxes. Late afternoon transfer returns to Taipei for dinner at a night market.
9Taipei: DepartureTaoyuan International Airport
A leisurely breakfast precedes a final opportunity for last-minute shopping or snacks before transfer to Taoyuan International Airport for departure.
Where you go
- 1Taipei
Included
- 9-days of private van transportation (incl. airport transfers)
- 8-nights accommodation (3-4 star, 2 nights in mountain lodge)
- 9-days of licensed, bilingual guide
- Full Day River Trace with coach and all equipment
- 15 Meals, Mountain and Police Permits, Admissions, sleeping bag rentals and more!