Taiwan is too often overlooked as a destination for the regional incentive market. However, the lively city of Taipei offers gourmet delights, temples and markets galore, to say nothing of some of the greatest cultural treasures from Chinese history. The island also offers some stunning natural scenery. Mix asked a leading destination management company in Taipei, Golden Foundation Tours, to come up with an incentive package that would be ideal for a regional incentive group of 100 or so people.
Taoyuan Airport-Taipei
Participants arrive at Taoyuan airport from different destinations in Asia and are picked up by a fleet of deluxe sedans which head for the Grand Hyatt Taipei. Upon arrival at the hotel, they are greeted with a welcome drink prepared by the hotel. Top-end achievers are allocated suites while the other participants enjoy accommodation in Grand Club rooms with access to the Grand Club Lounge. In the early evening, the group gathers in the hotel’s stylish Grand Residence, meeting space for cocktails and a concise introduction to the island will be given by a Golden Foundation English-speaking guide.
Luxury coaches then ferry the group to the Landis Taipei Hotel for a light dinner at the Taipei Story Tea House set in a newly renovated historical site which allow visitors to savour a taste of old Taipei.
After the meal, the group boards the waiting luxury coaches and returns to the Grand Hyatt Taipei.
Taipei
After breakfast, the group will enjoy a Taipei city tour. First stop is the world-famous National Palace Museum, where the tour is handled by a small team of Golden Foundation expert guides. The museum, built in the imperial Qing style, houses many of the treasures of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing, removed by the retreating Nationalists during the Civil War.
The tour concludes with a tea-drinking session at the third-floor tea-house San Shi Tang, offering a little sip of the orient.
Then the group moves on to Grand Hotel for a guided tour of the iconic Grand Hotel before the international buffet lunch on the Grand Floor Suho restaurant. This legendary hotel was owned by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and was for many years the foremost international deluxe property in Taiwan. It’s something of a Taipei landmark and also typical of Taiwan in the 1960-70s.
The group will be shown some of the private function rooms and also the secret tunnels that were built for the island’s president in case of war with Mainland China. After lunch, the group moves to view the changing of the guards at the Martyr’s Shrine.
The group then moves on to Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. The surrounding square has become one of the liveliest open-air places in Taipei. After visiting the exhibition hall underground, the group returns to the hotel to rest.
Taipei
After breakfast, the group heads for Yehliu, a scenic park to appreciate unusually formed rocks caused by wind and sea erosion. The natural speed of erosion has made rock formations known as Nefertiti (or the Queen’s Head), Cinderella’s Shoes, the Tofu Rocks and the Candle Stands, which are unique in the world.
The group stops for a meditation course in Taipei before continuing to Yangminshang, the “secret garden of Taipei”, formed by volcanic action, and rich in thermal water.
Here in the heart of nature, the group will enjoy over 20 different kinds of outdoor hot spring pools at the Tienlai hotel.
For lunch, the group heads for the Shiyan Culture restaurant, which offers organic and traditional cuisine. The restaurant applies the minimalist style that is full of oriental Zen inspiration.
Before returning to hotel, the group is taken for a special foot-massage treatment in one of Taipei’s many world-class massage centres, helping to sooth away the tiredness of the day. After a quick freshen-up at the hotel, coaches arrive to pick up the group for the evening meal.
Dinner is a roof-top, poolside barbecue at Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, which offers a panoramic view of Taipei by night.
Taipei-Taroko Gorge
Wake up early this morning to take a short flight to Hualien, the gateway to the world-famous Taroko Gorge. Depending on numbers, the group may have to be split into several batches.
Upon arrival, the group boards coaches for the marble factory, where visitors have the chance to see the work on the marble and visit the show rooms of some precious stones including jade, rose stone and amber.
For lunch, the group will head to Farglory Hotel, a Victorian-style hotel that sits against the Oceanic mountains and faces the Pacific Ocean a wonderful view overlooking Hualien city. After lunch, the group continues to the majestic Taroko Gorge. Visits will include the Swallow Grottos, Tunnels of Nine Turns and the Marble Bridge.
Upon arrival at the Grand Formosa Taroko, the group participants will be greeted by a short performance of Taiwanese aboriginal dance.
The unique Aboriginal theme will be featured in the evening’s dinner in the hotel.
Taroko Gorge-Taipei
Early-risers may simply enjoy the natural surroundings. For the particularly energetic, they may prefer to hike along the Baiyang trail near the hotel. Return to hotel for an energy-boosting breakfast. Leave the hotel and visit the Eternal Shrine before continuing to Taipei on domestic flight.
Arrive in Taipei and check in at the Sheraton Taipei Hotel, before lunch at the famous steam-bun restaurant Dim Shuei Lo.
Afternoon at leisure.
Evening gala dinner is held in the open-air Xinyi Public Assembly Hall, which was once an army base barracks. Its backdrop is the excellent 101 Tower by night. Theme party and outdoor catering arrangements by Sheraton Taipei.
Taipei-Asian Destination
After breakfast, pick-up from the hotel by your guide and head to the airport for your to home destinations.
