Din Tai Fung 101, Taipei City

Take an extremely fast elevator into the sky as you ascend Taipei's iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper. Once the world's tallest building, a 37 second ride to the 89th floor is a must for all those wanting to tick this feat off their bucket list. See for miles from the observation decks on the 87th and 88th floors and the rooftop – a heart-stopping moment not to be forgotten.  Dominating the skyline, the Taipei 101 stands over Downtown Taipei at a staggering 509 meters. Enjoy the bird’s eye view of the surrounding buildings with breathtaking 360-degree panoramas at your disposal. By day or night, the experience is picture-perfect. Learn all there is to know about the spectacular bamboo architecture and technology behind this Taiwanese icon while feasting your eyes on live, historic, and night views of the city with one of the deck's telescopes. Watch and take a photo with the giant 660-tonne tuned mass damper (TMD), located between the 87th and 91st floors, which stabilizes the tower against movements caused by high winds.

Save time waiting for the elevator up to the Observatory Deck of Taipei 101, the most popular attraction in Taipei City. Take a rapid elevator into the sky as you ascend Taipei's iconic skyscraper. Once the world's tallest building, Taipei 101's 37-second ride to the 89th floor is a must for all those wanting to tick this signature item off their bucket list. See for miles around from the observation decks on the 87th and 88th floors and the rooftop. Dominating the skyline, the Taipei 101 stands over downtown Taipei at a staggering 509 meters. Enjoy the bird’s eye view of the surrounding buildings with breathtaking 360-degree panoramas at your disposal. By day or night, the experience is picture-perfect. Learn all there is to know about the spectacular bamboo architecture and technology behind this Taiwanese icon while enjoying the best views of the city with one of the deck's telescopes. Take a photo with the giant 660-tonne tuned mass damper (TMD), located between the 87th and 91st floors, which stabilizes the tower against movements caused by high winds.

Discover Taipei on this guided tour of the city and learn about the city's rich history, both past and present. After the pickup, visit National Palace Museum, one of the world’s largest museums with a rich collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese artifacts and artworks through 8,000 years of Chinese civilization. Continue on to visit the fascinating neighborhood of Dadaocheng, where streets and alleys present you with a mix of history and present, tradition and modernity. Then, marvel at the atmospheric Dihua for its chic cafés, traditional shops, and mini art galleries. Move on to the monument Cheng-en Gate, which was built hundreds of years ago and is one of the five historic gates in Taipei. Have a lunch break at Taipei's most robust Ximending Commercial District, where you can find Michelin-starred food, street performance, and unique Taiwan goods. After the lunch break, experience Taiwan’s religious practice and culture in Lungshan Temple, where the locals pray and ask for God's blessing by tossing the divining blocks. Later, go to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, an impressive monument honoring the former President Chiang that can’t be missed. Watch the guard-changing ceremony in the hall, and see their impressive movements in front of Chiang Kai-shek’s giant statue. End the tour with a visit to Taipei 101 Mall. The skyscraper beside it is one of the tallest buildings in the world. You can go to the top and enjoy the panoramic view of Taipei city from the observatory deck at your own expense. Your tour ends with a return transfer to your chosen drop-off location. Either at Raohe Street Night Market or MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station.

Din Tai Fung, Taiwan's renowned restaurant, offers an exquisite selection of traditional Taiwanese cuisine at reasonable prices. Established in 1949, it has garnered global acclaim, being named by The New York Times as "One of the world's top 10 restaurants." A visit to Taiwan is incomplete without savoring Din Tai Fung's signature dish, the Xiao Long Bao (pork soup dumplings). Indulge in the restaurant's best-sellers and choose from 3 set menus, all at an excellent value. Experience the delightful flavors of xiaolongbao at any Din Tai Fung branch across Taiwan, with the exception of the Xinyi Main Store.

Pingxi Sky Lantern is a traditional activity that has become a popular tourist attraction in Taiwan. The lanterns are made of paper and bamboo and are released into the sky with the hope of bringing good luck and fortune. The practice dates back to the 19th century when lanterns were used to signal between villages and communicate messages during times of war. The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival takes place annually in February, and it attracts thousands of visitors from around the world. However, visitors can also participate in the tradition year-round at the Shifen Old Street, located in the Pingxi district of New Taipei City. Shifen Old Street is a bustling market street that is lined with shops selling sky lanterns, traditional snacks, and souvenirs. Visitors can purchase a lantern from vendors and write their wishes or messages on the paper. The writing can be done in any language, making it an inclusive experience. Once the lantern is ready, a candle is lit inside, and the lantern is released into the sky. Watching the lanterns float up into the night sky is a beautiful sight and feels like a magical moment. This is a beautiful way to connect with the culture and people of Taiwan and to participate in a centuries-old tradition.

Be collected from your accommodation and head to the first stop of the day, Dalongdong Baoan Temple. Explore this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Listed site, built in 1742, and learn about the fascinating story of its transformation from a wooden shrine to the masterpiece it is today. Next, visit the National Palace Museum, home to an extensive collection of Chinese artifacts and artworks showcasing Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage. Afterwards, head to the oldest commercial street in Taipei, Dihua Street, where you can find architecture dating back to the 1850s. Wander down the street and feel immersed in the bustling vibrancy of the atmosphere as the locals go about their busy day. Visit the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, which was erected in honor of Taiwan’s former president Generalissimo, who founded modern Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War. Then, take a bow of honor to the fallen soldiers of the war at the National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, which is also home to an elaborate array of Chinese architecture. Finally, marvel at the modern architecture of Taipei 101, once the tallest building in the world. Here, you can choose to journey up to the stunning observation deck or enjoy a hike on the Elephant Mountain Trail for breathtaking cityscape views.