Taiwan

Day 2 – The Intersection of Buddhism, Taoism, and Plant Based Cuisine

17 May – Monday, Taipei

Good morning, time to start the day by tasting some Taiwanese breakfast delicacies!

With today’s focus on the intersection of religion, culture, and cuisine, we will first start with a peaceful visit to a Buddhist temple. After an understanding of the Buddhism principles of “do no harm”, we will then head nearby to a vegetarian only space. From dining spaces to grocers to bookstores and coffee, there’s a lot to explore. We’ll enjoy a vegan all you can eat buffet – whether if you like your veggies raw or cooked, or are looking for carb and protein heavy dishes such as noodles, dumplings, varieties of braised tofus, and several desserts to choose from, along with unlimited varieties of fruity teas – you’re in for a delicious treat!

We will then continue the day by visiting a Taoist temple, taking in the meditative environment – while learning the traditions of the religion and understanding the historical signficance of plant-based cuisine.

For dinner, we will enjoy an abundance of options including braised tofus, vegetable based dishes, hotpot, noodles, fried rice, and mock meats.

Afterwards let’s head to a well known attraction Taiwan is known for – its night markets! We will sample plant-based offerings including fruits, drinks, and some snacks that are traditionally plant based.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 – Understanding Taiwan’s History: From Conflict to Historic Architecture

18 May – Tuesday, Taipei

Rise and shine! We will begin the day in front of a grand historic hall where locals gather for tai chi – a martial arts practice that emphasises meditation in motion.

Afterwards we will dive into some history of Taiwan. As you walk around Taipei, you will learn about various political movements that has shaped today’s culture. We will untangle the timeline of periods of colonisation, occupation, and martial law – digesting the history of how a once authoritative nation shifted to a democratic nation.

For lunch, we’ll enjoy a vegan dim sum spread. From steamed dumplings, pan fried dumplings, deep fried dumplings, buns, and other varieties of dim sums, along with other dishes such as noodles and varieties of tofu, your bellies will be satisfied.

Afterwards, we will then explore Taiwan’s modern architecture and head to Taipei 101 – known as the tallest building in Taiwan, and is one of the tallest buildings in the world. After appreciating the architecture from the outside, we’ll immerse with the architecture from the inside. This will also give us a view of the world from above. We will then enjoy a cup of tea in the clouds as we sit in a tea shop inside Taipei 101 and wind down.

Settle into a cozy restaurant for dinner as we enjoy a variety of Taiwanese stir-fry dishes and hotpot.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 – Historic Ports That Influence Today’s Food, Herbal Medicine, and Art

19 May – Wednesday, Taipei

We’ll be starting the morning by visiting a historical port near the riverside. Although many buildings since have been converted into bookstores, cafes, teahouses, and locally owned retail stores – the street view at eye level tells a different story. As we traverse the historical port with its own story to tell by the architecture alone: instead of ships trading goods, you will see and experience merchants selling dried foods, vibrant textiles, and dining ware. As many of the dried foods in this district are sold for Chinese herbal medicine, we will discuss how these plants are utilised for their common medicinal practices and sample some of the market’s food from dried fruits to nuts and tea (also it’s near mango season so the mango will be 🤌).

We will also explore the art side of the district: from textiles to ceramics, observe how these art-forms appear in everyday Taiwanese life. We’ll settle for a cup of tea before heading out for lunch.

For lunch, choose from an abundance of locally grown veggies, variety of tofus and vegan meats, and several noodle and broth options –  and create your own bowl. Top it with rice cakes if you desire. Add vinegar (or not). The choice is up to you!

Afterwards we will embrace a contemporary form of Taiwanese dining by participating in a class – creating diningware from recycled plastics.  We will start with a tour with the recycling factory and discussing the concept of a circular economy. We will then continue by melting plastics, and molding techniques to create new items. From bowls with lids, to plates – embark on a fun and unusual journey.

For dinner we’ll continue focusing on local foods and visit a restaurant that spurs up dishes from soil to soul. We’ll visit a farm to table restaurant with emphasis on Taiwanese Indigenous-fusion cuisine. From Taiwanese Indigenous ingredients from a farm near Taipei including millet, buckwheat, rice, mushroom, greens, and squash – these ingredients are used to serve porridges, soups, and fusion entrees and desserts.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 – Unwinding Near The Seaside: Embracing Taiwan’s Tea Culture

20 May – Thursday, Taipei/Jiufen

Rise and shine! Time to embark on a day journey to Ruifang District, an area known for its historic gold mining and now famous town filled with tea houses. It is also a region filled with mountains and stunning sea views – enjoy the ride up to the region as we drive upwards into the clouds. Once we arrive in the district, for those interested, we will start with a short hike – and you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the sea and miles of greenery from above.

We will then wind down with a tea ceremony. Join us in an intimate, inviting space that’s solely for our group. Surrounded by locally made ceramics and furniture, this space was crafted with care and love. Our tea master will demonstrate tea growing, brewing, and drinking techniques for various tea blends. From local oolong, to local black tea, and red and white teas, unwind for the next few hours as you learn to appreciate the art of tea, with our tea master guiding us for the entire duration – an uncommon find in this region.

Afterwards we will head to the bustling streets of Jiufen for lunch. We will then explore the streets, taking in the contrast of its history to the modern day culture. Enjoy the ocean views as you wander the lantern filled streets and the old tea houses where each one architecturally tells a story. 

We will head back to Taipei for dinner and expand our horizons cuisine wise, and taste Korean food – a nearby nation with flavourful cuisine.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 – Exploring Taiwan’s Oldest City That Shape’s Today’s Democracy

21 May – Friday, Tainan

It’s time to say goodbye to the north (for now) and explore southern Taiwan! Let’s hop on Taiwan’s high speed rail and catch a ride to Tainan – Taiwan’s oldest city. Although not as frequented as other cities by tourists in Taiwan, it holds a rich historical and culinary significance and deserves a visit. Tainan is known for being the food capital of Taiwan: with food vendors at markets from sunrise to past sunset, to street eats and upscale dining, to many older buildings converted to retro eateries and bars.

Also due to Tainan’s high prevalence of Taoism devotion, plant based eats are integrated into everyday life.

Once we arrive, check into your cozy home for the next three nights and enjoy a comforting lunch. From dumplings, noodles, braised tofus, congee, and vegan youfan (sticky rice with mushrooms, herbs, and vegan pork – a staple in Tainan), it’s a satisfying meal after a train ride.

Afterwards we will continue discovering Taiwan at a deeper level. We will dive deeper into language oppression – this time understanding how languages in Taiwan changed overtime due to colonisation and martial law. And we will continue learning about Japanese colonisation, and visiting the repurposed buildings that represent Taiwanese culture and art. This allows us to visualise how today’s democracy came to be.

We will then embark on a late afternoon walking tour, sampling vegan food offerings from local vendors. From sweet green bean soup to savoury vegan scallion pancakes, get your bellies ready!

To close the evening, we will indulge in comfort food more commonly found in the south using vegan pork and cuisines from Taiwan, China, and Japan.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 – Taoism And Mindful Eating Via Slow, Plant-Based Dining

22 May – Saturday, Tainan

Rise and shine as we get ready to embark on a morning adventure. Let’s explore a morning market – filled with breakfast stalls, and vendors selling fruits, textiles, second hand vintage clothing, and home goods. We will see what produce is being sold from vendors and embark on a fruit sampling adventure (psst.. it’s near mango season). Afterwards we’ll head to a breakfast stall that serves some delicious vegan food.

We’ll then visit some prominent Taoist temples in the country, including the oldest Taoist temple in the country – practicing the rituals and understanding why these rituals are observed. 

For lunch, we’ll dine near Taoist grounds in a retrofitted apartment – now restaurant. We’ll immerse ourselves into slow dining with a multi-course meal, allowing ourselves and our bodies to enjoy the flavours and nutrients.

We’ll then continue our walking tour and discover historic channels in the city. You’ll witness how these streets have evolved overtime into retro and modern spaces – from colourful lantern filled streets with spaces for creatives, tea shops and snack stands, and temples and museums.

For dinner, we will enjoy rice prominent dishes. From locally grown veggies and homemade curries and soy based dishes, your view of eating rice may be reshaped.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 – Exploring The Channels That Transformed Taiwan

23 May – Sunday, Tainan

After breakfast, we’ll continue traversing the channels by foot, visiting a temple to start the day fresh, and visiting the museum region of the city to allow for self-exploration.

For lunch we’ll head over to a restaurant that serves a variety of East Asian vegan cuisine: from Taiwanese, Chinese, and Korean – your bellies will be filled with unique takes on flavours traditionally found in southern Taiwan.

We will then immerse ourselves in a Hakka lei cha workshop in a vintage cafe with a garden view, and within the historic channels of Tainan. Make your own lei cha drink as you pound ingredients such as green tea, peanuts, sesame seeds, and mint into a flavourful and fragrant beverage.

From endless alleyways to explore, to the abundance of food vendors, to crafty activities and shops, and historical buildings – the afternoon is yours to explore Tainan at your own pace. 

For dinner we will continue savouring Taiwanese flavours prominent in the south. Enjoy a bowl filled with fragrant broth, noodles, and veggies, along side with tofu based appetisers and soy-based dessert.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 – Taiwan’s Natural Sulfur: From Sulphuric Volcanos, to Sulphur Hotsprings

24 May – Monday, Yangmingshan/Beitou

It’s time to say goodbye to southern Taiwan and head back to the north. Let’s board the high speed rail from Tainan, and head back to Taipei. From Taipei we will then take our private transfer to the Yangmingshan Park.

We will first unwind by slow-eating with a multi-course lunch made with locally grown vegetables in a Buddhist garden setting – something to appreciate after a morning of travel. Afterwards we’ll head to the Yangmingshan Park. From free roaming cattle, to volcano steam with the smell of sulfur, to green walking trails, continue relaxing this afternoon.

After the park, we will then head to the Beitou region, and head to a hot springs resort nested in the mountains for the evening. From each room having its own onsen with sulfur water, to the public onsens available as guests for the night, enjoy a soak and continue relaxing.

For the evening, we will continue slow-dining with another multi-course meal at the hot springs resort. This time enjoy delicious plant-based spins on Chinese cuisine. Wind down with a cup of tea or another soak to end the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 – Exploring The Small Town That Shapes Taiwan’s Unique Hotsprings Culture

25 May – Tuesday, Beitou/Taipei

Good morning from the lush green view of your onsen hotel room. Breakfast awaits you with Kaiseki-style dining which includes locally grown fruits, veggies, soups, housemade breads and jams, mushroom based dishes, and mung bean cake. Alongside, enjoy fresh soy milk, juices, and coffee with a view of the Beitou village.

Enjoy one last soak at the resort before we continue on with our adventure. After checking out of the resort, we will head into the Beitou village, known for its historic public bathhouses and hot springs. Originally built during the Japanese occupation, Taiwan has transformed Beitou and now it holds its own identity despite the architecture holding Japanese influence. While there are similarities in some cultural elements, you will note some differences (including during your onsen stay).

We will then head back to Taipei and get our hands busy with a cooking class, whipping up some delicious treats for our lunch. Instead of dining in a restaurant, you’ll embrace the knowledge of how the Taiwanese delicacies you’ve been savouring for the past week come into fruition.

After lunch, the afternoon in the bustling Taipei is yours to enjoy. From biking along the riverside, grabbing a pastry in a garden setting, heading to a neighbourhood with local shops and arcade games, or simply meditating, you won’t find yourself bored.

For dinner, we will visit a restaurant near the hotel with a variety of cuisine including a variety of tofus, veggie based dishes, noodles, and dumplings. And for dessert there are several options including freshly made tofu pudding with warm syrup and red beans – a great end to a Taiwan trip.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 – Departure

26 May – Wednesday, Taipei

It’s time to savour the memories you’ve made over the past 10 days. Your airport transfer will be arranged by your departure flight time. Until next time!