Textile Treasures of Taiwan

Today we will explore the vibrant city of Taipei during a full-day sightseeing tour, highlighting the city's rich heritage and modern energy.

We will begin at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, a majestic monument known for its grand architecture and ceremonial changing of the guard before continuing to Lungshan Temple, one of the city’s oldest and most revered spiritual sites, filled with ornate carvings and the scent of incense.

We will spend time at the lively Ximending Shopping District, a hotspot for fashion and street food, before concluding our tour at the world-renowned National Palace Museum. Housing an extensive collection of textiles including tapestries, embroideries and garments, the exhibits here include some of the Song dynasty silk tapestries, Ming and Qing dynasty embroideries, Qing imperial robes as well as textiles from Taiwan's indigenous communities and other regions across Asia.

This morning, we will depart Taipei and enjoy a scenic drive south to Taichung, Taiwan’s vibrant cultural hub.

On arrival, we will visit the colourful Rainbow Village, a once-abandoned military housing area transformed into a whimsical outdoor art installation by a former soldier-turned-artist.

Next, visit the Taichung Cultural & Creative Industrial Park, a revitalised factory complex now brimming with contemporary art, design shops, and cultural exhibits, before checking in to our hotel.

The day will begin with our first workshop in the hotel with Karin Hellaby.

This afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Fiber Arts in Taichung, a vibrant space dedicated to the art of weaving, embroidery, dyeing and fibre crafts. It showcases both traditional Taiwanese techniques and contemporary textile artistry. We then explore the Wufeng Lin Family Garden, a beautifully restored Qing Dynasty estate and one of Taiwan’s Four Great Gardens, featuring elegant courtyards and intricate architecture.

After dinner, you will be able to immerse yourself in the bustling atmosphere of Fengjia Night Market, Taiwan’s largest night market. Savour a variety of local street foods, shop for unique souvenirs and experience the vibrant local culture!

Departing Taichung, we will drive through scenic mountain landscapes to the tranquil Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan’s largest and one of its most picturesque lakes, located in the mountains of Nantou County.

En route, we will visit the Ho Ho Cha Tea Factory to learn about local tea production and take part in a tea rolling experience, before continuing to Ita Thao Village. Situated on the southeastern shore of Sun Moon Lake and formerly known as Degua Village, this is the cultural heartland of the Thao people, one of Taiwan’s smallest indigenous groups.

Our day will end with a cruise on the stunning Sun Moon Lake, which gets its name from its unique shape – one part resembling a sun and the other a crescent moon.

This morning, you will have the opportunity to view the sunrise over Sun Moon Lake and enjoy a relaxed start to the day before taking the scenic drive to Chiayi, a city rich in cultural heritage.

Here, you'll visit the Museum of Old Taiwan Tiles. Housed in a restored Japanese-era timber building, the museum showcases over 4,000 decorative tiles from Taiwan's architectural golden age. Feeling inspired from all you have seen, you will also be able to participate in a tile-making workshop, where you can learn about traditional techniques and create your own masterpiece.

The day will conclude by driving to Taiwan’s oldest city, Tainan. Steeped in over 400 years of history, it is home to ancient temples, colonial architecture and traditional crafts.

Our day will begin with a visit to the Hermin Textile Museum in Qigu District. This museum offers an immersive experience into Taiwan's textile heritage, showcasing the complete journey of fabric production with vibrant displays. Here, you will be able to participate in a weaving workshop.

Next, you will be able to stroll through Taiwan's first named street, Anping Old Street, established over 300 years ago during Dutch colonial times. This bustling avenue is renowned for its traditional Taiwanese snacks, including candied fruits and shrimp crackers, as well as shops selling handcrafted goods, offering a glimpse into the local culture and history.

Our final visit today will be to the Kuang Tsai Embroidery Shop, where master artisan Mr. Lin preserves the intricate art of traditional Taiwanese embroidery. The shop specialises in hand-embroidered temple robes and banners, featuring motifs like dragons, clouds, and Chinese calligraphy. They are often embellished with shimmering gold and silver threads, reflecting the religious and cultural traditions of the region.

After a second workshop with Karin this morning, we will visit the Hayashi Department Store.

Affectionately known as the 'Five-Story Building', this cherished historical and cultural landmark originally opened in 1932 during the Japanese colonial era. After decades of dormancy, the building was meticulously restored and reopened in 2014 with each floor thoughtfully themed, preserving its original Art Deco architecture and many historical elements including the vintage elevator complete with its original dial-type floor indicator, and a preserved bullet hole from World War II.

Departing Tainan, we will continue to Kaohsiung, a vibrant port city and home to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas. Constructed in 1976, visitors enter through the mouth of the dragon and exit via the tiger's mouth – a traditional practice believed to turn bad luck into good fortune.

We will also visit the Dome of Light, a stunning glass installation. Spanning 30 meters in diameter and covering an area of 660 square meters, it is the world's largest glass artwork. We will then check in to our hotel for an overnight stay.

Today we have an early transfer from the hotel to Kaohsiung Station, boarding the Limited Express Train for the 310km journey to Hualien.

As the train departs from Kaohsiung, you will be treated to views of Taiwan's western plains, transitioning through the lush East Rift Valley, and finally arriving in Hualien, a gateway to the renowned Taroko Gorge and the Pacific coastline.

This afternoon, we will visit the Taroko National Park, a breathtaking expanse renowned for its dramatic marble canyons, towering cliffs, and diverse ecosystems. Spanning over 920 square kilometres, the park is named after the majestic Taroko Gorge, a deep chasm carved by the Liwu River through rugged marble mountain and one of Taiwan’s most stunning natural wonders.

Departing the hotel after breakfast, we will visit the Hualien County Indigenous Museum, offering a glimpse into the cultures and traditions of Taiwan’s Indigenous population, including traditional crafts, tribal clothing and woven items.

This afternoon, we will take the Limited Express Train to the town of Luodong, where we will check in to our hotel before visiting the bustling Luodong Night Market, the largest in Yilan County.

Today we will spend the day at the National Centre for Traditional Arts where you will be able to learn about natural dyeing techniques and participate in an indigo dyeing workshop to create your own unique item.

Whilst here, you will also be able to participate in an oil-paper umbrella painting workshop, where you will be able to craft and decorate your own umbrella, a practice which is deeply rooted in Taiwanese and Hakka culture.

The remainder of the day is at leisure for you to explore the centre which offers performances, artisan shops and exhibitions.

After checking out of the hotel, we will head into the mountains to visit the Bulau Bulau Village. Here, the secluded Atayal tribe practice sustainable living as taught by their ancestors and continue to teach the young. The village embodies the Atayal philosophy of "living in flow and harmony with nature”, cultivating crops like millet, taro, and peanuts without the use of fertilisers or pesticides. They also engage in traditional crafts such as weaving and carpentry, with young villagers learning these skills to support the community's economy.

After our visit, we will return to Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei.

This morning, we will head to Taipei's historic Dadaocheng district. Here, you will have the opportunity to design and print your own patterns during a silk screen printing workshop, as well as visit the Yongle Fabric Market, Taiwan's largest textile hub. There is an extensive array of fabrics including traditional Taiwanese prints, Japanese designs, jacquards, velvets, and metallics.

This bustling market is a haven for designers, tailors, and craft enthusiasts seeking inspiration and materials for their projects!

Enjoy a full day at leisure for independent sightseeing in Taipei or shopping for last-minute gifts. Alternatively, you might like to spend the time doing some independent sewing.

This morning, we will escape the urban bustle of Taipei and take a gondola to the tranquil, tea-covered hills of Maokong. The cable-car journey offers panoramic views of Taipei's skyline, lush forests and terraced tea plantations. Upon arrival, you will be able to enjoy lunch and savour locally-grown tea like tieguanyin and baozhong during an included tea ceremony.

After lunch, we will return to Taipei and make our way to the airport for the return, in-direct overnight flight to the UK.