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Exceptional Kaohsiung
- Information
- Tour Plan
- Location
- Gallery
- Additional Info
- Similar Tours
What's included
- A guided tour of important places
- Accommodation in single twin share room
- All meals included
- Beautifully illustrated souvenir map
- Entrance tickets to monuments and museums
- Observation and participation in allowed activities
- Professionally guided tour
- Departure Taxes or Visa handling fees
- Excess baggage charge
- Other International flights
- Personal expenses
- Tips to guide and driver
- Visa arrangements
The Culture
Located in southwestern Taiwan, Kaohsiung is a city of a longish shape. It is cast in sunshine throughout a year and its weather is amiable. Mountains, oceans, rivers and ports make the city’s geology and culture highly diverse. Kaohsiung used to enjoy a thriving economy for its steel and petrochemical industries, but now it is gearing towards cultural tourism, touting its history, nature and hospitality. An oceanic tourist capital it is!
River Ports & Oceanic Tourism
In Taiwan, people call Kaohsiung “the port city” because it has the most beautiful port views. The magnificent Kaohsiung Port, modern-style Singuang and Glory Ferry Wharfs, and romantic Love River all enhance Kaohsiung’s urban charm. Taking a ferry is actually a popular tourist activity in Kaohsiung.
Visitors may take a ferry at Shaochuantou Wharf so and then hop off in Qijin to enjoy a walk, or take the Love Boat or a fancy gondola by the Love River. Cultural yachts are an option, too – the yacht trip is longer, allowing visitors to immerse in the splendid views of Kaohsiung’s ports and the Asian New Bay Area.
Tapping into History
Kaohsiung was previously named “Takau,” referring to the bamboo forests dwelled by indigenous Makatau. During the Qing Rule, it was renamed as “Dagou” and by the Japanese Rule a Dagou office was to be established on Qijin Street. The Dagou Branch Office of Tainan Prefecture was therefore relocated to Shaochuantou. In 1920 (9th year of Taisho), Kaohsiung Prefecture was established. The Japanese adopted the name “Kaohsiung” from “Takau.”
Natural Resources & Great Views
Kaohsiung has more than modernized urban scenery and the vitality which comes in from the ocean; it also boasts an expansive hinterland, with rich natural and cultural resources, fields and gardens, forests, mountains, hot springs- it has everything.
The strange “Moon World” formations near Tianliao, Yenchao, and Neimen, known as “badlands” in the field of geography, form mainly as a result of rainwater and river water scouring mudstone areas which have soft soil. It is difficult for plants to grow in such an environment, which exposes the mudstone, creating a unique landscape densely covered with ridges and trenches. In fact, Moon World’s geographic richness and rarity has already met UNESCO Geoparks’standards for recognition as a Geological Heritage Site. What’s more, Purple Crow Butterfly Valley in Maolin Scenic Area is also a world-class natural resource, one of just two valleys in the world in which butterflies winter.
- Exceptional Kaohsiung Tour Plan
DAY 1
Arrive Addis Ababa
Arrive in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Welcome to Ethiopia! Upon arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, you will be welcomed by your tour guide and driven to Jupiter Hotel (4*). For the rest of the day, you will take a city tour of Addis Ababa, which includes the National Museum, one of the churches in Addis Ababa, the Piassa, the Mercato, and the view from Mount Entoto. If you arrive later, the city tour will be on the last day.
Accommodation: Hotel
DAY 2
Addis Ababa, Bahirdar (B, D
In the morning, drive to Bahirdar through the Great Blue Nile Gorge with a stopover at various small towns like Dejen, Chancho, and Goha Tsion.The Blue Nile Gorge is a majestic and enormous river gorge that has a magnificent, alluring natural beauty. It is referred to by many as “the Grand Canyon of Ethiopia”. It’s one of the most captivating gorges in Africa.
Accommodation: Hotel
DAY 3
Lake Tana, Blue Nile Falls, Bahir Dar (B, D)
In the morning, we will take a boat cruise on Lake Tana to visit the ancient 14th-century island monasteries of Lake Tana. The 37 islands of Lake Tana shelter 20 monasteries — surviving remnants of an old, contemplative tradition. After lunch at the hotel, we will drive 35 km to visit the majestic Blue Nile Falls.
Accommodation: Hotel
DAY 4
Bahir Dar, Gondar (B, D)
After breakfast, we will drive to Gondar through the beautiful countryside scenery of Fogera to arrive at Gondar around lunchtime. Founded by Emperor Fasiledas around 1635, Gondar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its many medieval castles and the design and architecture of its churches. Debre Berhan Selassie represents a masterpiece of the unique Ethiopian school of traditional art. This afternoon, you will visit this ancient city.
Accommodation: Hotel
DAY 5
Gondar, Simien Mountains National Park (B, D)
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, you will be stunned with the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rest of the day we will trek among troops of endemic Gelada Baboons to explore the surrounding area of Sankaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.
Accommodation: Simien Lodge, Buyit Ras
Day 6
Simien Mountains National Park, Axum (B, D)
After breakfast, we drive to Axum through the beautiful scenery of the Simien Mountains, to the Limalimo Lodge in the Tekeze River Gorge. While driving from the Simien Mountains to Axum, you will stop briefly in different parts of the park for the best views. You will have a picnic lunch under the shade of the trees past the Tekeze River Gorge and enjoy the beautiful Simien Mountains scenery from a distance. Then, we will drive to Axum.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 7
Axum, Yeha (B, D)
After an early breakfast, we will drive to the Simien Mountains National Park. Driving from Gondar up to Simien Mountains National Park, you will be stunned with the spectacular scenery that awaits at the top of the massif. The rest of the day we will trek among troops of endemic Gelada Baboons to explore the surrounding area of Sankaber, part of the Simien Mountains National Park.
Accommodation: Simien Lodge, Buyit Ras
Day 8
Axum, Lalibela (B, D)
After having an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Axum Airport for your flight to Lalibela. After checking into the hotel, we will drive to the site of some of Ethiopia’s most famous rock-hewn churches, often referred to by many as one of “the living wonders of the world”. These churches are, and they have been for at least 800 years, an active Christian shrine — the spiritual center of the country’s religious life. The monolithic churches were carved out of a 2,600-square-meter natural rock terrace in the 12th century AD by King Lalibela.
Today, we will visit the first group of rock-hewn churches. In the evening, there will be a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony for the group prepared at a local house.
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 9
Asheten Mariam, Lalibela (B, D)
In the morning, take a mule ride, and/or walk to the top of Asheten Mariam Monastery. This is very famous for its 12th-century monastery church and beautiful view at 10,298 ft above sea level. After having lunch and resting at the hotel, you will continue your journey into Ethiopia’s long and marvelous history with a visit to other of Lalibela’s remarkable churches. Their architecture and artistry must be seen to be believed!
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 10
Lalibela, Addis Ababa, Departure (B, D)
After breakfast, transfer to Lalibela airport for the flight to Addis Ababa. Here, you will have a city tour if you didn’t have one on the first day.
Flight schedule permitting, there will be a special Ethiopian farewell dinner party with a traditional buffet and local drinks. There will also be a live cultural dance show of the different ethnic groups living in the country — the perfect end to the trip! At the end of the farewell dinner party, transfer to Addis Ababa airport for the flight home. End of tou
More about Kaohsiung
More about this tour
Covering2,952 square kilometers of land, Kaohsiung is Taiwan's second largest city. It has 38 administrative districts and each has unique geological features. Kaohsiung has many cultural resources and a wide range of agricultural and fishery products. The residents take pride in what Kaohsiung has to offer, and they share a tolerant culture.
Starting in 2011, Kaohsiung has taken part in the International Awards for Livable Communities and in just three years it has already won 7 gold, 5 silver and 7 bronze prizes. This not only makes Kaohsiung the city in Taiwan that wins the most awards from the competition, but also a new popular tourist city.
