Vision / Must-read Hidden Gems Before Your Trip: 7 Senior-Friendly Travel Routes

By Huang Hanhua

Still wondering how to take your parents on a trip? Vision has planned 7 travel routes. Want to get close to nature and stay fit? Hop on a bike and go exploring. Prefer tea tasting, art appreciation, and strolling through old streets? Miaoli’s Hundred Tea Cultural Park and Tainan’s Anping are great choices. Head south to Pingtung’s Dapeng Bay, where you can sail with the wind, feel the sea breeze, and enjoy breathtaking ocean views. Visit Yilan’s Sanfu Leisure Farm to relive childhood joys, or take a two-day trip to Hualien to experience the unique charm of Taiwan’s mountainous east coast. For elders, a hot spring soak in Taitung’s Jinguang Village is the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate.

Senior-Friendly Travel Routes

Taiwan’s growing elderly population, who have both time and money, are seen by the tourism industry as a highly potential consumer group. Both public and private sectors have begun designing senior travel products with diverse content and pricing, allowing elders to choose suitable routes based on their needs.

According to Lydia Yea, former Director-General of the Tourism Bureau and current President of the Taiwan Visitors Association, seniors should travel more. This not only helps expand their social circles and

According to statistics from the Tourism Bureau, the senior tourism market generates approximately NT$800 million in business opportunities annually. Since seniors are not tied down by work and every day feels like Sunday, if more group travel could be encouraged on weekdays, the market potential could increase to NT$3 billion.

Tourism Bureau designs four major routes; cities and counties follow suit to boost economy

However, a Tourism Bureau survey found that only 6% of seniors travel frequently, indicating significant market potential. To attract more senior travelers, the Taipei International Travel Fair held a forum titled “A Comprehensive Look at Senior Tourism” late last year, attended by 300 domestic and international industry, government, and academic representatives. “This was the first time the domestic tourism industry gathered to discuss senior tourism issues,” said Lyu Sechen. Participants discussed how recreational venues and hotels can install barrier-free facilities, how travel agencies can enhance thoughtful services, and how to design travel routes to better accommodate more seniors.

In January this year, the Tourism Bureau further designed four senior tourism routes in northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan, offering both one-day and two-day trips. Travel agencies have also arranged package tours, with prices ranging from just over NT$1,000 to several thousand. Wang Zhiyi, head of the Technical Division at the Tourism Bureau, said their focus is on four key appeals: “short driving distances, slow-paced walking, soft food options, and longer sightseeing times.” This marks the first time national scenic areas have launched a “lifestyle and slow travel” tourism theme tailored to the needs of seniors, aiming to draw attention from seniors and their families.

These four senior routes are located in the North Coast and Guanyin Mountain area, Sun Moon Lake, Dapeng Bay, and the East Coast. They are all accessible via the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle” buses, which not only feature barrier-free facilities such as gentle slopes suitable for wheelchairs and accessible restrooms and parking spaces, but visitor centers also offer assistance for group travel and guidebook usage.

“The number of senior routes will increase to 13 by the end of this year,” explained Wang Zhiyi. By then, all national scenic areas across Taiwan will offer senior-friendly travel environments, characterized by convenient transportation and safe, relaxing itineraries, making them ideal for seniors’ leisure activities.

Tainan City⟩
Start with historic sites and cultural attractions, then take a boat to enjoy ecology and watch the sunset

Aside from the Tourism Bureau, local governments are also stepping up, having launched a series of senior routes. In Tainan City, for example, they recommend the 88 Anping Line, which features visits to historic landmarks and cultural spots. Seniors can simply take the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle” from Tainan Railway Station to enjoy attractions along the way such as Chihkan Tower and the Confucius Temple, and in the evening head to the Sunset Viewing Platform to watch the sunset.

Another route operated by the “Taiwan Tourist Shuttle,” the 99 Taijiang Line, focuses on eco-tourism. The Sicao Wetlands and the Taiwan Salt Museum have flat pathways suitable for seniors to walk along, while the waterways surrounded by mangroves, known as the “pocket-sized Amazon River,” allow visitors to easily explore wetland ecology from a boat.

New Taipei City⟩
Immerse in forests, railways, and culture, and enjoy the sea breeze to the fullest

As for New Taipei City, it has designed four types of routes: a forest-bathing wellness journey through phytoncide-rich woods, an insightful art and metro railway tour, a deep-dive historical and cultural tour, and a relaxing seaside culinary experience. There are over 20 routes in total, all easily accessible and self-guided, making them well worth a visit for seniors. Take the Xinyian Trail in Wulai, for instance—it’s filled with birdsong and the sound of flowing water. This short 1-kilometer trail not only has a flat surface for easy and pleasant walking, but is also free of traffic noise. Notably, there are ten waterfalls along the trail, each varying in size and water flow, all marked with informative signs. Strolling along the shaded path and breathing in phytoncides leaves one feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Another great spot to connect with nature is a leisure farm. Huang Xinchuan, General Manager of Lion Travel, believes that in recent years, leisure farms have integrated cultural creativity and organized numerous cultural activities, allowing seniors to not only reminisce about the rural life of the past but also experience the daily lives of local residents.

Yilan County⟩
Experience eco-leisure farms and shop for souvenirs at tourist factories

Yilan County is home to the largest number of leisure farms in Taiwan. Among them, Sanfu Farm boasts rich ecological surroundings and flat walking paths, and the meals it offers adhere to healthy principles of low oil and low salt. Seniors can try DIY activities such as painting frog-shaped piggy banks, making travel scrapbooks, and crafting optical kaleidoscopes. For those who enjoy hands-on activities, tourist factories are another great option. Huang Xinchuan noted that traditional industries transformed into tourist factories offer a retro charm. With guidance from staff, seniors can make traditional foods and crafts, and also purchase souvenirs for family and friends.

Miaoli County & Taitung County⟩
Explore the BaiCha Tea Garden in Touwu Township, then take the South-Link Railway to Jinguashi for hot springs

Take the BaiCha Cultural Park in Touwu Township, Miaoli County, for example. In addition to introducing the tea bag production process, seniors can create their own tea bags using ingredients and recipes provided by the park, tailored to their personal health needs. For instance, seniors seeking better sleep can blend lavender black tea, while those looking to lower blood sugar can make guava tea themselves.

Hot spring bathing is also a popular health-focused travel option for seniors. Taiwan has over 20 hot spring areas from north to south, including those in Jinshan, Wanli, Miaoli’s Tai’an, and Sichongxi. The varying acidity levels of Taiwan’s hot springs help dilate capillaries and promote blood circulation. In recent years, the rise of the hot spring tourism industry has made many hot spring areas accessible via public transport, attracting large crowds.

Jinguashi Village in Taitung County has seen a boom in its hot spring business thanks to the convenient South-Link Railway. Seniors from Pingtung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan spread the word, leading many to visit for a soak, which has enlivened the quiet village’s economy.

Bike Tours⟩
The Hualien-Taitung bike path is highly recommended — enjoy the scenery while staying fit

Besides soaking in hot springs, cycling and sightseeing have become popular leisure activities among seniors in recent years, especially after Liu Jinbiao, chairman of the 80-year-old Giant company, advocated for it. Even middle-aged people in their 40s are eager to join. Giant Adventure Travel, which specializes in cycling tours, recommends the bike paths in the Hualien-Taitung area as the top choice. Manager Tsai Chia-chin explains that the paths here are flat, making for a comfortable and safe ride, with hospitals along the way. A three-day, two-night cycling trip in this region not only promotes fitness but also showcases stunning mountain and sea views.

Coach Tour>
Enjoy major attractions without spending much, plus sing karaoke for fun

Sightseeing is a primary desire for senior travelers. Observing the tourism market in recent years, there has been a rise in coaches specifically catering to scenic spots. These operate on a one-day tour basis, picking up passengers at designated spots. For just a few hundred dollars, seniors can visit famous attractions such as Wuling Farm and Xitou, all at an affordable price. The option to sing karaoke on the bus is also a big hit.

It’s worth noting that, according to relevant tourism regulations, it is illegal for coaches to solicit passengers on their own — only licensed travel agencies are permitted to conduct tour services. As a result, many self-recruiting coaches do not provide insurance for passengers. For safety reasons, it’s best to book tours through certified travel agencies.

For a long time, seniors have preferred domestic travel, but statistics from the Tourism Bureau show that the proportion of seniors traveling abroad has increased from 11.79% in 2010 to 13.17% in 2013. Chang Hui-lin, deputy general manager of Canxing Travel, observed that cross-strait direct flights have made mainland China routes particularly popular among seniors.

Cruise Tour>
Five-star dining, entertainment, and fun — a new travel choice for seniors

Seeing the potential of Taiwan’s senior citizens traveling abroad, international cruise lines — very popular among retirees overseas — have been arriving in Taiwan frequently this year. These include the 140,000-ton Asia’s largest cruise ship, as well as Princess Cruises and Costa Cruises, successively docking at Keelung Port. Seniors can board directly without flying abroad and still enjoy five-star dining, entertainment, and fun on board.

“Half of the passengers on international cruises are retirees from Europe and America,” observed You Guozhen, deputy general manager of Lion Travel. He said that cruises are equipped with barrier-free facilities, so seniors don’t need to change hotels or go through check-in procedures again, avoiding the hassle of long drives and waiting in line for restrooms. They also don’t need to rush meals before moving to the next attraction, giving them full control over their schedule.

Originally, there are no clocks on cruise ships. On voyages ranging from as short as four days to as long as seven or ten days, there’s no time pressure. You can eat and rest as you please, arranging your entire itinerary freely. Every so often, you’ll arrive at a new destination, offering a different experience compared to land travel.

“A cruise is like a town that moves on the sea,” said You Guozhen. The ship has everything needed for daily life, and there are medical staff available in case of illness — even surgeries can be performed onboard. There’s no need to worry about seasickness either, as cruises avoid bad weather, making them a safe mode of travel. Currently, cruises departing from Keelung head to Japan and South Korea. With the increasing frequency of international cruise arrivals in Taiwan, more destinations will likely become accessible to seniors.

It seems that whether it’s mountains or seas, there are now more and more well-rounded travel routes suitable for seniors traveling together or for adult children taking their elderly parents along. No matter which route you choose, getting out and moving is the way to go!

[This article is excerpted from CommonWealth Magazine’s Travel Special Issue; for more articles, please visit the CommonWealth Magazine official website:]www.gvm.com.tw]
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