LANTERN FESTIVAL & THE ARTS IN TAIWAN - TAIPEI - HSINCHU - SUN MOON LAKE - TAINAN - KAOHSIUNG - CHIHPEN - TAROKO GORGE
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TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2013
Lantern Festival
& the Arts in Taiwan
Taipei – Hsinchu – Sun Moon Lake –
Tainan – Kaohsiung – Chihpen – Taroko Gorge
with Phoebe Alexander
22 February – 06 March 2013 (13 days)
Tour Lantern Festival &
leader the Arts in Taiwan
Taiwan’s glittering Lantern Festival, starting on the first full moon of the lunar year,
provides a spectacular backdrop for this art and cultural tour of Taiwan.
After exploring the extraordinary collection of art treasures, encompassing
millennia of Chinese history, held in Taipei’s National Palace Museum, discover the
other scenic and cultural highlights of Taiwan – once called ‘beautiful island’ (Ilha
Formosa) by Portuguese sailors.
Visit Tainan’s Chimei Museum, the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, where former
President Chiang Kai-shek entertained dignitaries from around the world, and the
magnificent Taroko Gorge where the Liwu River carves a winding path through
Born in Taiwan, Phoebe solid rock amid spectacular scenery.
Alexander has travelled
extensively throughout Asia,
and has an in-depth knowledge
of its history, culture and
people.
At a glance
Phoebe recently retired from
her position as Councillor at • 2013 Lantern Festival in Hsinchu
and Pingxi’s Sky Lantern Festival TAIPEI
the Art Gallery Society of Hsinchu
NSW. She previously worked • Two visits to Taipei’s National
as a Senior Producer for SBS Palace Museum
Radio, where she produced • Visit the prestigious private Taroko
many travel segments about collection of the Chimei Museum Sun Moon Lake Gorge
her journeys to Asia. • Discover thousands of years of art
history from one of the world’s
Phoebe is heavily involved in
community and charity work,
oldest cultures
• Stay in some of Taiwan’s most
TAIWAN
and has designed and led a iconic hotels, such as The Lalu in Tainan Chihpen
number of tours to Asia. Sun Moon Lake and Silk Place in
Taroko Gorge – both situated in Kaohsiung
areas of extraordinary natural
beauty
Map is a guide only
Wenwu Temple, Sun Moon Lake
Itinerary
Fri 22 Feb 2013 Sydney – Taipei Mon 25 Feb Taipei – Hsinchu
Morning departure from Australia on Cathay Pacific flights via Hong Leave the capital and drive to Hsinchu – often referred to as Asia’s
Kong, arriving in Taipei late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel on ‘Silicon Valley’. On the way, stop at the Cihu Mausoleum – the quiet
arrival. Evening at leisure. and beautiful resting place of President Chiang Kai-shek – and
visit Nan Yuan, a beautifully designed resort with Jiangnan-style
Sat 23 Feb Taipei architecture and landscaped gardens in Hsinpu County, which for
This morning join Phoebe Alexander for a welcome breakfast and many years was a very exclusive area for the use of top-echelon
briefing, before embarking on a full day tour of Taipei. Start with officers of the United Daily News group. The project, started in
the first of two visits to the National Palace Museum – home to the 1985, took two years to complete, and had absolutely no budgetary
world’s largest and finest collection of Chinese art, spanning 5,000 constraint. Continue to Beipu, known for its Hakkanese blends of tea
years of Chinese history. Among the treasures exhibited at the and nuts, before checking into your hotel in Hsinchu – home to the
museum are painting, calligraphy, tapestries, ceramic and jade from largest Hakka community in Taiwan.
the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. An amazing collection of Tonight join the annual Lantern Festival in the streets of Hsinchu and
artefacts inherited from the Forbidden City from 1925 to 1931, after in the City God temple. Join the locals for an evening of art and music
the last Qing Emperor Puyi was exiled from Beijing, is also on display.
After lunch, embark on a tour of Taipei – Taiwan’s capital and most
vibrant city. Visit the Martyrs’ Shrine, built in 1969 on Chingshan Taiwan’s Lantern Festival
Mountain and overlooking the Keelung River, and dedicated to the
Held annually on the first full moon of the lunar calendar,
war dead of the Republic of China. Also see Confucius Temple,
the Lantern Festival is one of the most fascinating
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall built in 1980 to commemorate
festivities around the globe. It takes place in a different
former Taiwan President Chiang Kai-shek, and Taipei 101.
location each year, and draws participation from both
Tonight wander around the famous Shinlin Night Market, teeming with local and foreign visitors.
stalls selling delicious foods, trendy clothing, and much more. B L
The two-week long festival is celebrated with lantern-making,
Sun 24 Feb Taipei lantern riddle games, and displays of glittering decorative
lanterns. The main lanterns can be up to 15 metres tall. Smaller
Start the day with a visit to the dazzling Flower and Jade Market, lanterns are carried by children and adorn the city’s temples.
before returning to the National Palace Museum for a guided tour of Competitions are held to highlight the glowing works of art,
a different part of the collections. and many cultural activities are planned including fireworks,
Afternoon at leisure to further explore the museum on your own. music, dance and theatrical performances.
In Pingxi, a small township nestled among the mountains an The festival is also celebrated by eating tang yuan – glutinous
hour’s drive from Taipei, people have their wishes written on sky rice balls stuffed with red bean paste. This custom symbolises
lanterns and release them to the skies on the first day of the lunar family unity.
calendar during the Chinese New Year. Tonight attend these joyful The festival’s theme is based on the Chinese zodiac animal
celebrations, and make a wish! B for the new year – 2013 will be the year of the snake!
City of Taipei Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, Taipei
performances; see lanterns of all shapes, sizes and designs glow into After lunch enjoy a guided tour of the Chimei Museum. Its rich
the night, and taste local delicacies. B L and diverse collections include ancient artefacts, violins crafted by
world-famous instrument makers, centuries-old Japanese samurai
Tue 26 Feb Hsinchu – Sun Moon Lake swords, and classic paintings from the Renaissance and later artistic
Today drive to Taiwan’s largest lake – the beautiful Sun Moon Lake, movements; the museum also holds a large number of bird and
with an impressive mountain backdrop. Its shape gave the lake its animal specimens.
name: the eastern part is round like the sun, while the western side Late afternoon arrival in Kaohsiung – Taiwan’s largest commercial
is shaped like a crescent moon. Its crystalline, emerald green waters harbour and second largest city. Free evening to walk along the
reflect the hills and mountains which rise on all sides, giving the colourful banks of the Love River. B L
impression of a Chinese landscape painting.
Stay at the stunning resort The Lalu, designed by award-winning Australian Fri 01 Mar Kaohsiung – Chihpen
architect Kerry Hill and overlooking the lake. The Lalu’s architectural This morning visit the Buddhist monastery of Fo Guang Shan, built
design centres on the themes of utmost simplification of Zen style. It is on top of a mountain and surrounded by a bamboo forest. Founded
considered by many to be the most exclusive property in Taiwan, featuring in 1967 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the monastery comprises of
suites, private villas, swimming pools, courtyards and pavilions. university buildings, shrines, a cemetery, the 36-metre tall statue of
Amitabha Buddha and the Great Hero Hall. It promotes Humanistic
Late afternoon cruise on the lake, followed by dinner at one of the
Buddhism with a focus on education, publishing, translation, Buddhist
hotel’s restaurants. B D
art galleries and mobile medical clinics. Fo Guang Shan has over 200
Wed 27 Feb Sun Moon Lake – Tainan branch temples throughout the world.
This morning explore the lake’s surroundings. Visit Wenwu Temple, Depart Kaohsiung for Taitung to visit the National Museum of
built in 1938 on the north of the lake and featuring three halls Prehistory, designed by American architect Michael Graves and
dedicated to Kaiji – the God of Literature; Guan Gong – the God located on the terraces of the Beinan River. The design of the building
of War; and Confucius – the great teacher. Also see the Holy Monk reflects a distinctive local Taiwanese style with the Central Range by
Shrine, dedicated to Buddhist monk Xuanzang, who led an epic its side, while facing sunrise over the Pacific Ocean. The museum is
journey from China to India in 629 and returned sixteen years later dedicated to the discovery of 1,500 stone coffins and 20,000 stone
with hundreds of scriptures and scrolls, and had a profound influence and pottery artefacts belonging to the Peinan culture by a team of
on the spread of Buddhism in China. Continue to the picturesque archaeologists in the 1980s and 1990s. Continue to the town of
village of Checheng, beautifully nicknamed the ‘secret garden’, and Chihpen, famous for its hot springs. B L
the terminus of the Jiji railroad. Board the train for a short scenic ride.
Sat 02 Mar Chihpen – Taroko Gorge
This afternoon transfer to Tainan and visit Fort Zeelandia, now
Today journey to Taroko Gorge along the east coast, which offers
known as Fort Anping, built by the Dutch in 1624 as the administrative
stunning coastal scenery. Pass by the small and peaceful coast town
centre of their regime, and captured in 1661 by Koxinga – a military
of Dulan, learn about the legend surrounding the ‘Terrace of the
commander loyal to the Ming Dynasty. B L
Three Immortals’ at Sansiantai, and admire the beautiful scenery of
Thu 28 Feb Tainan – Kaohsiung Shitiping, where the formation of small layers on the rock surface
created by the erosion resemble series of steps that gave the town
This morning visit Tainan – the ancient imperial capital. See the its name, which translates at ‘Stone Steps’. Visit the Hualien County
Chihkan Tower, originally known as Fort Provintia – a reminder of Stone Sculptural Museum, fully dedicated to the art of stone carving,
Taiwan’s colonial past built by the Dutch in 1653 and used as their and where most of the stone art in Taiwan originates.
military and trading post until 1662, and the Fujian style Koxinga
Shrine. Also visit the well preserved Confucius Temple, built in 1666 Late afternoon arrival at Silks Place, beautifully located within the
in classical Chinese temple architecture. Taroko Gorge National Park, famous for its spectacular mountains
and marble canyons. B L D
The Message - Thomas Cooper Gotch British 1903, Chimei Museum, Tainan Sansiantai Bridge
Sun 03 Mar Taroko Gorge
This morning visit the exceptionally beautiful Taroko Gorge – a
narrow 19-km long canyon created by the Liwu River cutting deep
into mountains of solid marble, and one of the seven wonders of
Asia. Highlights include the dramatic hanging bridges of the Swallow
Grotto, the twisting vistas of the Tunnel of Nine Turns, the Eternal
Spring Shrine and Xiangde Temple, surrounded by mountains and
resembling nine lotuses.
Enjoy a traditional lunch at an Aboriginal restaurant, followed by a
free afternoon to relax in the serene surroundings of your hotel.
B L D
Mon 04 Mar Taroko Gorge – Taipei
Today make your way back to Taipei, stopping at Chingshui Cliff on
the way for its stunning views over the Pacific Ocean. Also visit Yilan’s
National Centre for Traditional Arts, established in 2002 to promote
and preserve Taiwan’s traditional arts, such as music, theatre and
handicraft. Late afternoon arrival in Taipei.
Tonight join Phoebe Alexander for a special farewell dinner. B D
Tue 05 Mar Depart Taipei
Morning at leisure, before an early afternoon transfer to Taipei Airport. Revolving vase in yellow glaze Famille Rose with auspicious motifs,
Departure from Taipei on Cathay Pacific flights via Hong Kong. B National Palace Museum
Wed 06 Mar Arrive Sydney
Morning arrival in Sydney.
National Palace Museum, Taipei
Taipei’s National Palace Museum and the Forbidden City in
Beijing are derived from the same institution, which was split
into two as a result of the Chinese Civil War.
It was first established in 1925 as the Beijing National Palace. In
1933, in order to evade the attack of the Japanese, treasures
were evacuated to Nanjing. Later during the civil war, the
national government delivered the important treasures to
Taiwan to evade damages. This transition brought the re-
establishment of the National Palace Museum in 1965, in a
new building modelled after Beijing’s Forbidden City.
Owning most of the Chinese significant treasures, Taipei’s
National Palace Museum is cognitively known as ‘the treasure
house of Chinese culture’.
T’ao Ku Presenting a Lyris to Ch’in Jo-lan, National Palace Museum
Chingshui Cliffs Taroko Gorge
Tour Prices
Per person, twin-shareAUD 5,950
Single supplement*AUD 900
Reduction without flights AUD 1,500
Business class supplement on request
Deposit (per person)AUD 500
Final payment due 24 December 2012
* Single travellers may request to share.
Please advise at time of booking.
Tour code
AG1302
Visas
Australian passport-holders do not require a tourist visa
for Taiwan.
Tour prices include
• Return economy class airfare on Cathay Pacific incl. taxes (as
at 01 July 2012)
• Transfers on arrival & departure if travelling on group flights
• Accommodation in 4- and 5-star hotels with daily breakfast B
• Meals as per itinerary ( L =Lunch, D =Dinner)
Taiwan Lantern Festival
including farewell dinner. Wines with dinners.
• Comfortable air-conditioned coach transportation
• Comprehensive sightseeing, visits to galleries and
attractions with Phoebe Alexander including local guides
and entrance fees as per itinerary
• Lectures and talks with your tour leader throughout
• Gratuities for local guides and drivers
• Hotel porterage (1 piece per person)
Tour price does not include
• Transfers on arrival & departure if not travelling on
group flights
• Drinks with lunches
• Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, taxis etc.)
• Travel insurance
Your hotels and
• Taipei – The Landis Hotel
• Hsinchu – Ambassador Hotel
• Sun Moon Lake – The Lalu
• Tainan – Taipung Suites
• Kaohsiung – Ambassador Hotel
• Chihpen – Hotel Royal
• Taroko Gorge – Silks Place
NB: Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.
Lion carving on Wenwu Temple, Sun Moon Lake
Terms & Conditions
How to Book In addition to the above, cancellation charges Travel Insurance
Complete, sign and return the Booking may apply for additional arrangements It is a condition of travel that you are
Form available from Renaissance Tours with booked by Renaissance Tours, such as air covered by comprehensive travel insurance
your deposit. tickets, hotels and travel insurance premium. for international tours. Your travel insurance
If the reason for cancellation is covered by can be arranged by Renaissance Tours.
Deposit/Final Payments the insurance policy, you may be able to
Your deposit is due at the time of booking reclaim these charges. Fitness and Participation
and is used to pay hotel, airline, performance For the overall benefit of the group, all tour
tickets and/or other deposits. It is non- b) Cancellation by Us – We reserve the members must possess a moderate level of
refundable in the event of your cancellation. right to cancel a tour for any reason mobility, including the ability to:
(such as failure to reach minimum tour
Final payment is due 60 days before participant numbers). Except for force • negotiate airports and railway stations
departure. Failure to make the final payment majeure, we will not cancel a tour less than without wheelchair assistance
by the due date may result in cancellation of 60 days before departure. No further • use combined shower/bath facilities
your booking and loss of deposit. compensation will be paid in the event of (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in
cancellation by Renaissance Tours. A full shower facilities)
Payments are accepted in cash and by
refund of monies paid for tour costs will be • undertake walking tour of 2–3 hours
cheque, bank transfer, American Express,
the full extent of our liability. duration, including using stairs, walking over
Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. A 3%
cobblestones and other uneven surfaces
service charge applies for payment by Cancellation and/or amendment fees may • stand for long periods in museums and
American Express and Diners Club. apply for additional travel arrangements other sites
Cancellation & Refunds booked by Renaissance Tours. • embark/disembark coaches, trains
a) Cancellation by You – Cancellation and other methods of transportation
Passports, Visas and Vaccinations
charges will be applied as shown below, without assistance
All travellers must be in a possession of a
calculated from the day written notification • handle your own luggage
valid passport – most countries require a
is received by Renaissance Tours. In addition 6-month validity from your date of entry If you (or we) have any doubts about your
to cancellation fees for tours operated by or exit. For some countries (e.g. China, ability to participate in your chosen tour,
Renaissance Tours as shown below, airlines, Vietnam, India, Russia), visas are included you may be required to have a doctor’s
hotels and other third parties may impose in the tour cost and will be arranged by appraisal. This would require a doctor to
up to 100% cancellation charges. Renaissance Tours prior to travel. For other read the itinerary of your chosen tour and
60 days or more Forfeit of deposit countries, it is your responsibility to ensure provide you with a written confirmation of
59–45 days 25% of tour cost you have the appropriate visa(s). your ability to participate.
44–31 days 50% of tour cost You are also responsible for obtaining all Terms & Conditions
30–15 days 75% of tour cost necessary inoculations and preventative You can find the full terms &
Less than 15 days 100% of tour cost medicines as may be required for the conditions on the Renaissance Tours
The above cancellation charges include duration of the tour. booking form. They can also be found at
applicable GST. www.renaissancetours.com.au or
we would be happy to post you a
copy on request.
Fo Guang Shan monastery statues View of Sun Moon Lake
TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2013
Front cover: Sky Lantern, Pingxi
Back cover: Chinese archways on Liberty Square, Taipei
Art Gallery Society of Your travel agent is
New South Wales
Art Gallery Road, The Domain
Sydney NSW 2000
w www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/member
Renaissance Tours
Level 4, 47 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 t (02) 9299 5801
GPO Box 5068, Sydney NSW 2001 f (02) 9299 5805
ABN 14 069 591 448 Lic. 2TA4526 e info@renaissancetours.com.au
Toll Free (AU) 1300 727 095 w www.renaissancetours.com.au
Toll Free (NZ) 0800 403 621 Brochure effective May 2012
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