Tjuvecekadan & Jinshuiying National Trail Tour – 2-Days / 1-Night
The remote village of Tjuvecekadan is listed as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site by Taiwan’s Bureau of Cultural Heritage. This village contains some of the best remaining preserved slate stone houses in Taiwan. This tour includes a unique community tour by local hosts in the village, combined with a spectacular day-hike along the Jinshuiying National Trail.
Over a 2-day / 1-night tour guests will have a chance to experience a truly once-in-a-lifetime and off-the-beaten path experience in southern Taiwan.
- Duration: 2 days
__________________________________________ - Trip level: Moderate to Challenging
__________________________________________ - Availability:From October to June
__________________________________________ - Type: Challenging
__________________________________________ - Priced from TWD $16,000/guest for seven guests
*Custom pricing available upon request
__________________________________________
Highlights
- Visit to one of Taiwan’s listed “Potential UNESCO World Heritage Sites”, Tjuvecekadan, comprised of over 50 slate stone houses.
- Stay overnight in a 4-star hotel with a spectacular infinity pool
- Traverse through several of Taiwan’s unique ecological reserves with chances to see monkeys, pangolins and many rare and endemic orchids.
- Hike Taiwan’s oldest cross-mountain trail, Jinshuiying National Trail
- Private transportation and everything except personal gear & a few meals
Tjuvecekadan & Jinshuiying National Trail Tour – Overview
The Tjuvecekadan & Jinshuiying National Trail Tour starts with a unique tour of one of Taiwan’s most sacred hidden gems. Guests will discover the incredible wonders of Taiwan’s indigenous south with an exclusive visit to the small Paiwan indigenous village of Tjuvecekadan. Here, over 50 buildings, characterized by traditional slate stone house architecture, still remain. After a unique community tour, a DIY activity and a home-cooked lunch, guests will be transferred to a seaside hotel with a stunning infinity pool.
On day 2, guests will hike a trail that has been walked by aborigines, officers and soldiers of the Qing Dynasty, foreign missionaries, Japanese colonialists, cattle traders, and others from all eras for hundreds of years. It is called the “Jinshuiying Ancient Road”. Setting off Pingtung in the west, our guests will traverse for 15km along the Central Mountain Range, ending at the Guzilun Suspension Bridge in Taitung. This ancient road is the southernmost of all Taiwan’s cross island routes.
Except for four meals, Taiwan Outdoors takes care of all the details; from coordinating a private tour of the remote Paiwan village of Tjuvecekadan, accommodation reservations, applying for mountain and police permits, arranging private transportation, insurance booking, a private guide, and providing most meals.
This tour is completed over two days and 1 night and provides return transportation from Zuoying High Speed Rail Station (alternate pick up locations can be arranged. Additional costs may apply. Please send us an email at YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com).
What is included
 | Bilingual (Chinese/English) & experienced mountain guide services |
 | 2 Meals included – Day 1: Lunch | Day 2: Lunch |
 | Private round-trip van service from Zuoying HSR (Alternate pick up locations can be arranged in Pingtung / Kaoshiung. Additional costs may apply) |
 | One (1) night accommodation at four-star hotel (Fengliao Hotel or similar) |
 | Guided community tour and DIY activities in Tjuvecekadan |
 | Passenger (on van), Hiking/Mountain & $3,000,000ntd Travel Agency Liability Insurance |
 | Mountain and Police Permits for hiking Jinshuiying National Trail |
 | Local support by telephone and private LINE group with guide/staff |
What is not included
 | Flights (domestic or international), as well as train or other transportation needed to arrive in Zuoying HSR Station |
 | Airport transfers (Available upon request. Additional costs may apply) |
 | Drinks and meals not included in itinerary (Day One: Breakfast, Dinner | Day Two: Lunch, Dinner) |
 | Additional stops at attractions or souvenir shops not included in the itinerary |
 | Additional Personal Travel Insurance or expenses of a personal nature |
Tjuvecekadan & Jinshuiying National Trail Tour – Daily Itinerary
Day 1 Itinerary
Guests will meet our guide and be picked up in private transportation from Zuoying High Speed Rail Station and driven in comfort to the gates of the famed Laoqijia Paiwan village. From here, the group will begin a unique cultural experience with one of Taiwan’s 16 indigenous tribes.
From Zuoying HSR Station, guests can expect a 1-hour drive to our designated pick up location to meet our village hosts. Last-minute provisions can be purchased at a convenience store along the way. Upon arrival at the meeting location our group will board a separate vehicle and begin a 45-minute drive up a riverbed into the mountains to the village of Tjuvecekadan.
This visit to the Paiwan village of Laoqijia (老七佳石板屋) or Tjuvecekadan, as it is known in the local Paiwan language, is something very few visitors to Taiwan ever get a chance to experience. The group will meet our hosts, local Paiwan villagers and begin a welcoming ceremony overlooking the village. After this ceremony, guests and our local host will enjoy a community tour of the homes and a local museum with artifacts found in the local area. This will be followed by a lunch prepared by our hosts using local recipes and ingredients.
The rest of the afternoon will consist of a tour of the community by our hosts, translated by our guide, as well as time to socialize and relax before our aboriginal dinner is served by our hosts. After our afternoon activities, the group will depart and head off to our seaside accommodation located in the town of Fengliao.
The rest of the afternoon will consist of a tour of the community by our hosts, translated by our guide, as well as time to socialize and relax before our aboriginal dinner is served by our hosts.
After check-in, guests can relax poolside or choose to explore the local area (or do both!). Our guide will lead a short walk down to the local train station, where guests can purchase dinner (their own responsibility) and experience local nightlife in this small town.
Day One Hiking Notes
– Day One Total Hiking Distance: 1-2km (Approximately)
– Estimated Time on Trail: 30 minutes
– Trail Conditions: No real trails will be hiked on this day.
Day One Schedule
– 08:30 – Depart From Zuoying HSR Station on private transportation
– 10:30 – Arrive at Tjuvecekadan (老七佳石板屋 / Laoqijia) village and begin village tour
– 12:00 – Tribal Style Lunch (included in tour)
– 13:00 – Free time to explore village & DIY activity (e.g. wreath/bracelet-making, etc)
– 14:00 – Depart from Tjuvecekadan (老七佳石板屋 / Laoqijia)
– 15:00 – Board van and depart for hotel
– 16:00 – Arrive at hotel and check-in at Fengliao Hotel (or similar)
– 16:30 – Free time to explore Fengliao, visit pool and dinner (not included in tour price)
– 20:00 – Bedtime
*Please note: These times are approximate and will depend on a number of factors including traffic, weather, road, and trail conditions and hiking pace.
Breakfast: No / Lunch: Yes / Dinner: No
Day 2 Itinerary
The second day of the trip includes a hike along one of Taiwan’s major cross-mountain trails. We will wake up, eat breakfast, and set off for the western trailhead of this epic trail. There will be a stop enroute to allow guests to purchase their lunch and last minute provisions for the day hike.
Hiking west to east, guests will experience a steady decline from the mountains to the east coast and Taitung County. This decline is an estimated 1450m to 200m over the entire 16km hike.
This trail is renowned for its ecological significance, and to the humid climate and ecological environment, it has become an important habitat for endemic and endangered animals and plants. The trail itself traverses three nature reserves and it’s a fantastic destination to spot monkeys, pangolins (if we’re lucky), and many rare orchids along the way.
As the group approaches the Guzilun Suspension Bridge, we’ll be approaching the eastern terminus of the trail. Private transportation will pick the group up not far from here and transfer the group back and drop them off at the Zuoying HSR Station for the end of the tour.
Day Three Hiking Notes:
– Total Hiking Distance: 16km
– Trail Conditions: Compact soil trail with some man-made structures such as wooden steps and small wooden bridges. There is a 1200m decline across the 16km trail
– Estimated Time on Trail: 6-7 hours at a moderate hiking pace. Includes breaks for lunch and rest.
Day Three Schedule
– 05:30 – Wake up & Eat Breakfast
– 06:30 – Depart Fengliao
– 08:30 – Arrive at Jinshuiying Trailhead
– 12:30 – Trailside lunch
– 15:30 – Arrive at Guzilun Suspension Bridge
– 16:00 – Depart from Dawu, Taitung
– 18:30 – Drop off guests at Zuoying HSR
– End of Tour
*Please Note: These times are based purely on walking times, and don’t factor in weather, breaks for rest or snacking, etc.
Breakfast: Yes / Lunch: No / Dinner: No
IMPORTANT NOTICE
⚠️ PICK-UP / DROP-OFF LOCATIONs: Our pick-up location will be Zuoying HSR Station. The departure time will be 9:30am. This will allow guests to arrive to the pick up location from anywhere along the High Speed Rail network. It is the guests responsibility to arrive at Zuoying HSR on time. If you require an alternate pick-up/drop-off locations, please contact us directly at YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com. Additional costs may apply.
⚠️GUIDE: In addition to providing an amazing outdoor experience, our guides have the responsibility for guest safety and well-being. Our guides will monitor the group’s fitness levels and health throughout the tour. In the event of poor weather or if any guests are struggling from poor fitness or adverse conditions, they reserve the right to alter the tour itinerary and/or cancel the ascent. We thank you for your understanding as we believe guests’ safety is of the utmost importance.
⚠️ MEALS: Day One Breakfast and Dinner are not included in the tour price. Day Two Lunch & Dinner are not included in the tour price. Guests are responsible for preparing and bringing their own meals on these days. Guests are also responsible to be sure they have enough water during the tour (we suggest a minimum of 2 liters). There are opportunities to refill or purchase water throughout the tour itinerary
⚠️ GROUP SIZE: Our Tjuvecekadan & Jinshuiying National Trail Tour can be booked for groups between 1-7 guests. This tour is limited to 7 guests. If you have a team of more than 7, please contact us directly at YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com.
⚠️ TOUR AVAILABILITY: Our Tjuvecekadan and Jinshuiying National Trail Tour must be booked at least 21 days prior to your planned departure date. Due to the consideration and advanced notice we wish to provide our aboriginal hosts, as well the need to arrange permit applications for our guests, we require this advanced notice. This tour can be booked online September to June each year, but for those groups wishing to hike during the June-August period must have a direct consultation with our tour director to ensure our hosts will allow our visit.
⚠️ PACKING LISTS: When a guest registers for Taiwan Outdoors’ Tjuvecekadan and Jinshuiying National Trail Tour, they will receive a complete packing list and trip FAQ digital package through email. Taiwan Outdoors’ staff will be available to provide additional support to guests between registration and tour dates.
⚠️ HEALTH WAIVERS: When a guest registers for Taiwan Outdoors’ Tjuvecekadan and Jinshuiying National Trail Tour they will receive a digital Health Waiver that must be completed. We ask that guests complete this honestly to ensure the safety of all guests.
⚠️ PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS: Full payment is required at least 14-days prior to the departure date. This ensures our guests commitment to the tour and allows us to confirm participation.
⚠️ PERMITS: For hikers looking to join this tour, they must understand the following details:
- Hiking Jinshuiying National Trail is a very popular, yet remote experience in Taiwan that traverses several nature reserves. As such, permits are required for visitor management.
- Permits will be applied 10 days prior to the tour date (the earlier the better)
- Taiwan Outdoors will apply for group permits on behalf of our registered and paid guests. This means if you are interested in joining this tour please ensure you register and pay as soon as possible – the earlier we get confirmation and payment, the better odds we can have getting permits.
⚠️ NON-REFUNDABLE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE: When a group registers and pays for Taiwan Outdoors’ Tjuvecekadan and Jinshuiying National Trail Tour, we make arrangements with the Tjuvecekadan community and conduct various administrative work to secure permits and reserve accommodations. Because of the work required, as well as the money required to secure the services provided on this trip, Taiwan Outdoors’ has one non-refundable administration fee our guests should be aware of:
- Each booking will incur a non-refundable administrative fee of 10% of the booking price at the time of booking, in addition to cancellation fee enforced by the domestic law associated with consumer protection in Taiwan. The cancellation policy is outlined below.
⚠️ CANCELLATION POLICY:
In the event we are not successful in acquiring our guests’ permits, a full refund will be provided. Guaranteed.
In the event Taiwan Outdoors cancels the event due to an Act of God, adverse weather or any other unforeseen circumstance, a full refund will be provided. Guaranteed.
- 95% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 41 days before the scheduled day of departure (less the 10% non-refundable administration fee).
- 90% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 31 days to 40 days before the scheduled day of departure (less the 10% non-refundable administration fee).
- 70% refund when the cancellation notice arrives 2 days to 30 days before the scheduled day of departure (less the 10% non-refundable administration fee).
- 20% refund when the cancellation notice arrives one day before the scheduled day of departure (less the 10% non-refundable administration fee).
- No refund when the cancellation notice arrives after the scheduled day of departure.
Do you have any other questions? Please send us an email to YourTaiwanOutdoors@gmail.com.
Contact Us About Tjuvecekadan & Jinshuiying National Trail Tour
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