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JMU Taiwan 2026

Explore. Experience. Connect. — 2026 JMU Taiwan Immersion for Global Perspectives

14-Day Cultural Journey | Jan. 3 – Jan. 16, 2026

Explore the 14-Day Itinerary

One Journey, Four Dimensions

Deep-Dive Visit to Tech Leaders

Step into TSMC and connect with local schools to get close to the front line of AI and semiconductors—an immersive day from industry to campus.

Cultural Crafts × Flavor Memories

DIY at Guangxing Paper Mill, wheel-throwing in Yingge ceramics, and making Kuo Yuan Ye pineapple cakes—bringing century-old crafts and Taiwanese flavors home.

Mountains & Sea Ecology Panorama

Sun Moon Lake boat cruise and cable car, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, Fangyuan intertidal oyster-cart experience, and Alishan forest trails—collect it all from lake gleam to sea of clouds.

Smooth & Worry-Free Logistics

High-speed rail connections and private coach transfers, 5★/4★ hotels, and full-time chaperone with safety protocols—learning and travel with zero hassle.

Formosa Craft & Culture Odyssey: An 14-Day Taiwan Deep Dive

From tea-scented mountain peaks to coastal rock formations, experiencing the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern creativity

Day 1 (Jan 3, Sat)

Arrival in Taiwan & Zhongli Hotel Check-in

Arrive at Taoyuan International Airport and meet your local representatives before transferring to LE MIDI HOTEL in Zhongli. Settle into your room, rest from the journey, and prepare for the upcoming cultural and educational experiences.

Day 2 (Jan 4, Sun)

Atayal Indigenous Culture × Daxi Old Street Heritage Walk

Travel to Fuxing District to visit Atayal indigenous villages, learning about traditional language, weaving, crafts, and mountain life while enjoying a tribal-style lunch. In the afternoon, stroll along Daxi Old Street to admire Baroque-style façades, taste famous dried tofu snacks, and experience the charm of a historic Taiwanese town.

Day 3 (Jan 5, Mon)

Taiwan Pastry Culture × Tamsui Old Street & Riverfront Ferry

Visit the Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake and Pastry to explore Taiwan’s pastry heritage and join hands-on demonstrations such as pineapple cake making. Continue to Tamsui Old Street for classic snacks and riverside views, then ride the ferry across the Tamsui River to Bali Left Bank Park to enjoy bike trails, cafés, and sunset scenery before returning to Taipei.

Day 4 (Jan 6, Tue)

National Palace Museum × Grand Hotel × Taipei 101 & Ximending Nightlife

Discover 5,000 years of Chinese art at the National Palace Museum, then visit the Grand Hotel Taipei to appreciate its palace-style architecture and panoramic city views over a buffet lunch. In the afternoon and evening, ride to the Taipei 101 observation deck for a skyline experience and finish the day in Ximending, exploring youth culture, street food, and shopping.

Day 5 (Jan 7, Wed)

Sky Lanterns at Shifen × Nostalgic Mountain Town of Jiufen

Head to Shifen Old Street to experience Taiwan’s sky lantern tradition, writing wishes before releasing lanterns along the railway and sampling local snacks. Continue to Jiufen Old Street to wander lantern-lit alleys, taste famous taro balls and other specialties, and enjoy mountain and sea views in one of Taiwan’s most atmospheric hillside towns.

Day 6 (Jan 8, Thu)

Traditional Opera in Changhua × Lukang Old Street & Temples

Visit the Nanguan & Beiguan Music Theater to learn about Taiwanese opera, costumes, instruments, and performance traditions through immersive exhibits. In Lukang, explore Tianhou Temple, Longshan Temple, Molu Alley, and Lukang Old Street, experiencing historic architecture, religious culture, and local snacks such as ox-tongue cookies and peanut candy.

Day 7 (Jan 9, Fri)

Fangyuan Coastal Wetlands × Puli Handmade Paper Culture

Travel to Wanggong Fishing Harbor in Fangyuan to ride out to the tidal flats, see oyster farms and wetland wildlife, and taste freshly grilled seafood along the coastal boardwalk. Then continue to Guangxing Paper Mill in Puli to tour traditional papermaking workshops, join a DIY paper craft session, and learn how natural materials are transformed into handmade paper.

Day 8 (Jan 10, Sat)

Sun Moon Lake Cycling Trail × Ropeway & Aboriginal Culture Village

Spend the morning cycling along the Sun Moon Lake bike trail, enjoying world-class lakeside views, mountain reflections, and cultural stops such as Xiangshan and Wenwu Temple. In the afternoon, ride the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village for aerial vistas, indigenous cultural exhibits, performances, gardens, and amusement attractions.

Day 9 (Jan 11, Sun)

Taiping Sky Bridge, Tea Mountains & Tainan Shennong Street

Head into the Chiayi mountains to walk across Taiping Sky Bridge, taking in sweeping views of tea fields, valleys, and sea-of-clouds landscapes. Visit Zhulin Tea Gardens and Taiping Old Street for high-mountain tea and local desserts, then continue south to Tainan’s Shennong Street to explore creative studios, historical houses, and lantern-lit alleys by night.

Day 10 (Jan 12, Mon)

Anping Tree House × Taiwan History Museum × Fengjia Night Market

Explore Anping Tree House, Tait & Co. Merchant House, and Anping Old Street to see how nature, trade history, and local snacks intertwine in Taiwan’s oldest port city. Visit the National Museum of Taiwan History for interactive exhibitions on the island’s multicultural past, then travel to Taichung to experience Fengjia Night Market’s vibrant street food and youth culture.

Day 11 (Jan 13, Tue)

Miaoli Woodcraft Farm × Tofu Culture × Old Mountain Line Rail Bike

In Sanyi, visit Shanbanqiao Leisure Farm to appreciate renowned woodcarving art, join creative DIY workshops, and relax in a forested setting. Continue to Qing’an Tofu Street and Chuanlong Old House to learn traditional tofu-making and taste local specialties, then ride the Old Mountain Line rail bike from Shengxing Station to Longteng Bridge, enjoying tunnels, bridges, and rural scenery.

Day 12 (Jan 14, Wed)

Yingge Pottery DIY × Dayuan Elementary School Exchange × Dim Sum Dinner

Travel to Yingge, Taiwan’s pottery capital, for a hands-on clay workshop and time to explore ceramic galleries and Old Street boutiques. In the afternoon, visit Dayuan Elementary School for campus tours, classroom observations, and interactive activities with local students, then return to Zhongli to enjoy a Cantonese dim sum dinner.

Day 13 (Jan 15, Thu)

Little Yunnan Culture × Longgang Tea Experience & Farewell Gathering

Discover Longgang Yunnan Town and Zhongzhen Market, tasting authentic Yunnan–Myanmar dishes and learning about the history of the Yunnan-Burmese community in Taiwan. Visit the local cultural village and, in the afternoon, relax at Youzhuju Teahouse, where you can savor Taiwanese tea, learn brewing etiquette, and share reflections during a farewell-style cultural gathering.

Day 14 (Jan 16, Fri)

Farewell: Taoyuan Airport Send-off

After breakfast and hotel check-out, board the shuttle to Taoyuan International Airport. Say goodbye to your hosts, complete departure procedures, and fly home with lasting memories of Taiwan’s culture, landscapes, and new friendships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answering all your questions about this journey.

General Information

The trip is scheduled for 14 days, from January 3 – January 16, 2026.
In a safe and nurturing environment, students will immerse themselves in Taiwan's rich cultural traditions, developing focus through tea ceremony practices, fostering creativity through hands-on craftsmanship, building environmental awareness through ecological exploration, and establishing the foundation to become future leaders with global perspectives.

Passport & Visa

U.S. passport holders do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days in Taiwan. However, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry.

Health & Safety

For minor issues, teachers will provide first aid. For serious conditions, the student will be immediately taken to a hospital, with a teacher accompanying them. Parents will be contacted immediately, and travel insurance will help support the necessary care. Taiwan has an excellent healthcare system, and English-speaking doctors are available.
Yes, accommodations can be made if informed in advance. Dining venues will be notified, an allergy badge can be prepared for the student, and extra care will be taken, especially in high-risk environments like night markets.
Yes, Taiwan is consistently ranked among the world’s safest regions, known for its low crime rates and well-organized public areas. Safety measures implemented for the trip include a buddy system, daily roll calls, curfews, emergency cards, continuous teacher supervision, and coordination with the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).

Lodging & Rooming

Students will be assigned to rooms by gender, with 2 students per room at designated safe hotels (e.g., LE MIDI HOTEL, ShanShun Hotel, Fushin Hotel). Rooming lists will be sent out before departure. Teachers will be on the same floor as students.

Food & Meals

Daily meals are included, comprising hotel breakfasts, local restaurant lunches, and specialty dinners. With advance notice, we can accommodate vegetarian, halal, gluten-free diets, and specific allergies.

Packing & Dress Code

January temperatures in Taiwan are around 13–20°C (cooler in the north and warmer in the south), with average relative humidity of about 70–80%. Northern and eastern regions are influenced by the northeast monsoon, with light rain or drizzle on many days and daily rain chances of around 40–60%; central and southern areas are generally drier with lower rain probability. Recommended items to bring:
- Layered warm clothing (long sleeves, sweaters, and pants for cool mornings/evenings)
- Medium-weight jacket or coat (windproof if possible)
- Rain gear (umbrella or light raincoat, especially for northern and eastern regions)
- Comfortable walking shoes (closed-toe, suitable for cool and occasionally wet conditions)
- One set of formal attire (for formal meetings or special events)
- Personal medications and basic skincare/sun protection (including lip balm and moisturizer for cooler, drier air)
Yes, there is a dress code. Students are required to dress modestly and respectfully when visiting temples and schools.

Program Activities

Students will participate in hands-on cultural workshops (tea ceremony, indigo dyeing, woodcarving, mochi making), visit historical sites and temples, explore natural attractions, and engage in cultural exchange activities with local schools.
Students will experience traditional Taiwanese tea culture, religious practices at temples and monasteries, traditional crafts like woodcarving and dyeing, Hakka culture, night market traditions, and regional culinary heritage.
Yes, students will have limited supervised free time. This includes 1–2 hours after dinner daily, some group exploration time in markets and night markets, and optional activities. All free time will be under teacher supervision in safe areas.
Yes, the itinerary includes several shopping opportunities at locations such as Dihua Street, Global Mall, night markets, and cultural & creative street.
To facilitate communication, the trip surpport from Local guide teacher assistance from local Taiwanese student buddies, access to translation apps, and visual aids.

Insurance

🌏 Taiwan Group Travel Insurance (Per Traveler)

- Accidental Death Benefit – NTD 3,000,000

- Accidental Disability Benefit (max) – NTD 3,000,000

- Accidental Medical Expenses – NTD 200,000

- Travel Document Loss/Replacement – NTD 2,000

- Family Member / Insured Expenses – NTD 100,000 (included above)

- Max Benefit per Accident – NTD 100,000

Extension Opportunities & KICC Mission

Yes, KICC can assist in arranging various post-trip opportunities:
- Short-term or long-term internship opportunities in Taiwan (e.g., in education, cultural exchange, non-profit organizations, or creative industries).
- Mandarin language learning programs (private one-on-one or small group classes, suitable for all proficiency levels).
- Extended exchange projects with local Taiwanese schools or communities (ideal for summer or pre-college cultural experiences).
Beyond organizing this Taiwan immersion trip, KICC is dedicated to:
- Promoting Mandarin learning and international educational exchanges.
- Arranging Chinese cultural exploration activities (such as calligraphy, tea ceremonies, and traditional crafts).
- Building a long-term bridge between students and Asian cultures, with the goal of preparing youth to become global citizens.