Family Travel in Taiwan: Our 6-Day Adventure
Embarking on a family adventure in Taiwan offers a perfect blend of rich history, stunning natural landscapes, and engaging activities that cater to both adults and children. This is our family’s second time in Taiwan (last time we mostly stayed in Taipei) so this time we wanted to explore other parts of the country. While we originally planned to explore the East Coast, given the recent earthquake, we decided to focus on the West Coast. Our 6-day trip focused on creating memorable experiences for our family by exploring a mix of urban and rural attractions.
Arrival in Taipei / Train to Tainan
We landed in Taipei at 6:00 PM and took the commuter train from "A12 Airport Terminal 2 Station” to "A18 Taoyuan HSR Station" (approximately 20 minutes). From there, we took the High-Speed Rail (HSR) from Taoyuan to Tainan (about 90 minutes). It was relatively easy to figure out, though many kind Taiwanese stopped and offered help. The HSR price was NT 1,190/per adult and NT 595/per child (kids under 6 were free).
We arrived at our amazing kid friendly hotel, Hotel Cozzi (NT 10,000 / night) late at night and we were amazed with the way the entire hotel is geared toward children.
Why Tainan?
Tainan is Taiwan’s oldest city, filled with historical sites and cultural landmarks. It’s perfect for families looking to immerse themselves in the rich history of Taiwan. A friend suggested that the kids would love to explore the Amping Fort and Tree House, and boy were they right!
Tainan is home to numerous temples and traditional buildings, giving visitors a glimpse into Taiwan’s past. The city is renowned for its vibrant night markets, offering delicious local street food and a lively atmosphere.
Exploring Tainan
We dedicated our second day to exploring the major attractions in Tainan. The historical Anping Fort and the mystical Tree House were highlights, providing educational experiences for our children.
Best Activities
Anping Tree House: A nature-infused historical site where banyan roots engulf an old warehouse.
Anping Old Fort: A historical site with a fascinating history, great for kids to explore and learn.
Sicao Green Tunnel: Offers a unique boat ride through mangrove forests, ideal for nature lovers.
Garden Night Market: Experience the local culture and enjoy various street foods.
Ferry to Xiaoliuqiu
We hired a driver as the train would take triple the time and drove to the city of Donggang, to catch the ferry to the Island of Xiaoliuqiu, a small coral island known for its stunning natural beauty and marine life. There is an amazing fish market next to the ferry, so make time either from departure or arrival, to get some of the best sushi in the world. The ferry ride from Donggang to Xiaoliuqiu was a fun adventure in itself and took around 20 minutes. While the water wasn’t rough, my son still got sea sick, so we actually sat where the motorbikes were to get more fresh air.
We found a small hotel/homestay to stay at, thanks to Nick’s recommendations Lambai Island and the hotel organized our ferry tickets, snorkeling and motorbike rental. We stayed at Ocean Dream; the room was a bit outdated but the location, view and price were perfect.
Why Xiaoliuqiu?
Xiaoliuqiu offers a perfect island getaway with opportunities for snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring diverse marine life, including sea turtles. It was also relatively easy to get to, being only a 20 minute ferry ride from the mainland, and it had plenty to do. You can explore the entire island by scooter in around 30 minutes and it’s full of clear waters and vibrant coral reefs.
Best Things to Do
Snorkeling with Sea Turtles: An unforgettable experience for the entire family: One of the most unique experiences in Xiaoliuqiu is snorkeling with sea turtles. The island’s clear waters and abundant marine life make it an ideal spot for children to safely explore underwater and see these gentle creatures up close.
Secret Beach: This “secluded” beach (its not actually that secluded) is perfect for a relaxing few hours with the family. Kids can play in the sand, swim in the clear waters, and explore the shoreline for interesting shells and sea life.
Black Dwarf Cave
Scooter Exploration: Renting scooters is a fun way to explore the island. While younger children can ride with an adult, older kids will enjoy the thrill of riding around and discovering different parts of Xiaoliuqiu.
Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP): The calm, clear waters around Xiaoliuqiu are perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. These activities are suitable for families and provide a unique perspective of the island’s coastline.
Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, Xiaoliuqiu offers excellent stargazing opportunities. Spend an evening gazing at the stars, identifying constellations, and enjoying the tranquility of the island.
Visiting the Old Banyan Tree: The island’s iconic old banyan tree is a sight to behold. Kids will be fascinated by its sprawling roots and branches, making it a great spot for photos and a bit of history.
Shizhuo and Alishan Tea Homestay
We took a morning ferry back to Donggang, grabbed some sushi at the fish market and met our english speaking driver, Erin (+886 953 046 151). We drove several hours to Shizhuo, where we stayed at the Alishan Tea Homestay. This experience allowed us to immerse ourselves in Taiwan’s tea culture and enjoy a stunning sunset view at the tea farm. Also, the owners speak english, have two kids and the rooms are spacious for families and art activities for kids. We loved it!
Shizhuo is renowned for its tea plantations and offers a serene environment to relax and learn about tea production. It was a bit rainy when we arrived, so we went to dinner in town and once it was dark, we drove to a quieter area and watched thousands of fireflies – the kids loved this!
The next morning had better weather so we did a 2 hour hike along the Mist Trail and had our driver pick us up at the end so we didn’t have to walk back. It was a relatively easy hike for the kids but we went through Bamboo forests and had incredible views.
Alishan Exploration
Our final days were spent in Alishan, known for its picturesque landscapes and the iconic Alishan Forest Railway. We drove about 45 minutes to Fenqihu, where we bought tickets for the sunrise train the next day. We explored the old streets of Fenqihu, took lots of photos near the train and ate the famous bento box lunch.
We stayed at Chin Shan Villa and enjoyed hiking, forest walks, and a memorable stargazing tour.
The next morning we awoke at 330AM and walked 10 minutes to the train station to start the sunrise hike. It was very crowded but clean and comfortable. The train ride was about 30 minutes and once we arrived, we walked 15 minutes up hill to a more “secluded” area to watch the sunrise. The sunrise came around 5:30AM and it was gorgeous. Many buy a round trip train ticket but we wanted to hike back, so we hiked the 1-1.5 hour trail back (very easy) and then had breakfast, packed up and drove 4 hours to the airport!
Our 6-day family trip to Taiwan was a blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and exciting activities. From historical sites in Tainan to the marine adventures in Xiaoliuqiu and the serene landscapes of Alishan, Taiwan proved to be an ideal destination for family travel. This journey not only brought us closer as a family but also provided enriching experiences that will stay with us forever. Taiwan’s diverse attractions and family-friendly environment make it a must-visit for any family looking to explore Asia.