Taiwan experiencesThere are a couple of things you might already have on your Taiwan list. A Chinese calligraphy class, or a tour through a Taipei night market. And we’re big fans of both. But, sometimes, the best bits are those you didn’t know to look for.Sip the “champagne of teas” in Taiwan’s oolong region. Snorkel past clownfish and coral in Kenting. Rise early for tai chi in the park before breakfast. Then, take a classic train through the Alishan forest, through centuries-old cypress trees. Try Taiwan’s first whiskey, made from meltwater. And, if you time it right, see sunset flash pink across the Jingzaijiao salt flats.These are the experiences that may surprise you about Taiwan, and how we think you can truly get beneath the surface.Read more Overview Trip ideas Experiences Places to visit Best time to visit Accommodation Pick and mix these experiences to shape a Taiwan trip that goes beyond the headline sights and get you beneath the surface of this small island, that goes big on cultural adventure.These experiences aren’t locked to Taipei. They’re all over the country, with options to suit different budgets and travel style.Some may sound familiar, but each comes with a very Taiwanese angle: soy milk and warm doughnuts for breakfast with a local, a slow train through Alishan’s cedar forests, art walks in Kaohsiung’s old harbour warehouses, sunset at Jingzaijiao Salt Fields, or snorkelling off Kenting. Alishan • Taiwan 1 hour Alishan tea plantationTaste the “champagne of teas” in Taiwan’s mountain Oolong region. Taipei • Taiwan 2 hours Chinese calligraphy lessonWrite Chinese calligraphy, and learn the meaning behind every stroke Taitung • Taiwan 1/2 day Chishang cyclingCycle through Chishang’s rice fields, with the open road and mountains for company. Vilan • Taiwan 1 hour Kavalan Distillery visit and tastingVisit the Kavalan Whisky Distillery and get an inside look at Taiwan’s first homegrown whisky brand. Kenting National Park • Taiwan 1 hour Kenting snorkellingSnorkel in the tropical waters of Kenting, and perhaps spot a sea turtle or two. Taipei • Taiwan 2 hours National Palace Museum guided tourA curated walk through highlights of Chinese cultural accomplishment. Taipei • Taiwan 2 hours Night market food tourThere are dozens of night markets in Taipei . The problem isn’t finding one. It’s choosing the right one, then knowing what to eat when you get there. Koahsiung • Taiwan 2 hours Street art tour with local expertSee how Kaohsiung’s working harbour warehouses became Pier 2, the city’s best-known art quarter, with Ingrid, who helped make it all happen. Taipei • Taiwan 2 hours Taipei breakfast food tourStart your day the classic Taipei way: tai chi in the park and then breakfast at a local favourite spot (or two). Tainan • Taiwan 1 hour The salt fields of TainanCatch one of Taiwan’s best sunsets at Jingzaijiao, looking out across the island’s last remaining salt fields. Vilan • Taiwan Full day Yilan Indigenous visitShare stories and a meal with an Indigenous community in the mountains Alishan • Taiwan 1 hour Alishan forest railwayTrundle through the cypress forest on an old timber railway.