Culture School Trip to Taiwan

Day 3: Taipei

• There’s time for breakfast today, before heading to the first destination – Yehliu Geopark. This unique park is heaven for physical geography lovers, and is filled to the brim with unique rock formations. When viewed from above, it’s said to resemble a turtle! Here resides the Queen’s Head, a natural rock formation that’s said to look like a woman’s profile.
• Explore the historic area of Jiufen. Once an isolated village, it quickly become famous in the 1930s thanks to the discovery of gold. The village quickly grew during the gold rush, and it now today stands as a cultural destination that captures a moment in Taiwanese history.
• Take a trip to Shifen Old Street. Here, students will get a further glimpse in Taiwan’s industrial history, as the area was once a railroad town on a line designed to transport coal. It’s now a bustling area filled with places to buy snacks and souvenirs, and is renowned for both its lanterns and the nearby Shifen Waterfall.

Day 4: Miaoli & Taichung

• Visit the Taiwan Hakka Museum in Miaoli, a central hub for the Hakka peoples. The Museum’s buildings are based on landscape architecture, and reflect the traditional Hakka culture’s respect for nature by maintaining the native vegetation.
• Students get the chance to make their own Hakka Lei Cha (pounded tea) and Hakka mochi in a local Hakka tea house, where they’ll be able to explore Hakka heritage in closer detail.
• Visit the 921 Earthquake Museum in Taichung. This reflective museum teaches visitors about the history and impact of the 1999 earthquake in Taiwan, which measured 7.3 on the Richter scale.
• Spend the evening at a local night market in Taichung, where students can try traditional street food prepared by locals.

Day 5: Sun Moon Lake

• Head to the stunning Sun Moon Lake – a highlight of our culture school trip to Taiwan. The area is well-known as an important black tea production area. Once arrived, students will learn all about the history of tea and it’s importance in Taiwanese culture. They’ll also get to experience a tasting!
• After, take to the water on a boat ride. As you cruise across the lake, enjoy scenic views of the area and the impressive mountain regions beyond.

Day 6: Chiayi & Tainan

• Learn about the history of Taiwanese timber industry at the Hinoki village. Consisting of over 30 restored wooden structures and dating back to 1914,  it’s a remnant of the logging industry that existed in Chiayi during the Japanese era, and is one of the best preserved historical sites in Taiwan.
• While here, explore the Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park. Students can study decommissioned steam trains, railcars, and railway equipment – all while learning about the area’s heritage and the industrial history of Taiwan.
• Explore the Anping Old Fort, once the administrative center of the Dutch regime and the country’s trade hub in the 16th century. Nowadays, visitors can explore the fort and learn about the historical relationship between China, Taiwan, and the influence of the Dutch in the global trade.
• Visit Anping Old Street – the first street in Taiwan to be given a name. Built by the Dutch over 300 years ago. it’s now both a historical centre and a local hub, which features all kinds of stalls and shops.

Day 7: Tainan

• Explore the beautiful Sicao Mangrove Green Tunnel – also known as Taiwan’s ‘mini-Amazon’! Developed over 200 years ago as Taiwan’s first canal, it’s home to verdant mangrove forest and wetland environments that are home to some remarkable species. Students will take a bamboo raft down the canal, where they can spot fiddler crab, mudskippers, and egret.
• Get to grips with Tainan’s heritage on a city tour. Along the way, students will visit Chikanlou – a historic building dating back to 1653 – and the Tainan Grand Mazu Temple.
• Visit the night market in Tainan to try some street food staples local to the area. While there, students will also be able to try their hand at traditional games like marble machines.

Day 8: Kaohsiung

• Visit the Fo Guang Big Buddha Museum. This museum holds the largest sitting Buddha statue in the world! Here, you’ll learn about the history and philosophy of Buddhism, exploring the ways it’s influenced Chinese culture and society.
• Explore the Fongyi Academy, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in Taiwan. Dating back to 1806, its beautiful architecture and serene surroundings make it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
• Students can also learn more about the city’s history with a visit to the Former British Consulate. Built in 1865 and designed by British engineers, it’s now the oldest Western building preserved in Taiwan.
• Visit the Lotus Pond, beloved for its many beautiful temples – from the Confucius Temple at its northern edge to the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas at the southern.
• For a glimpse of Taiwan’s present and future, explore the Pier 2 Art Center. Created from old warehouse buildings, it’s now a hub for galleries and creative spaces, dedicated to fashion and culture.

Day 9: Taipei

• Head back to Taipei in style – by bullet train!
• Contemplate the history behind the Republic of China’s foundation at the National Martyrs’ Shrine, built in 1969 to commemorate the 330,000 soldiers who lost their lives during the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the civil war against the Chinese Communist Party. The Shrine’s design is reminiscent of the imperial palaces of Beijing, and hints at the Republic’s historic origins.
• Head to Ximending for souvenir shopping – it is a vibrant and lively neighborhood located in the Wanhua District of Taipei. It is known as the ‘Harajuku of Taipei’ and is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
• Visit the oldest district of Taipei, Dadaocheng, and walk along Dihua Street which was a major trading center in the 19th century. The area features many traditional shops and markets, including tea shops, herbal medicine stores, and traditional food vendors.
• Come together for a reflection session. Through discussion, listening and guided thought, participants can process their experiences, digest new ideas and consider what they have learned about Taiwanese culture, language and people during the trip.

Day 10: Farewell

Today marks the end of your culture school trip to Taiwan. Head back to the airport, ready to head home with a wealth of transformative travel experiences!