Retreats In Taiwan To Calm Your Mind

Should Taiwan’s thriving cities prove a tad too vibrant, rest assured that the region is also home to some truly relaxing spots. And while the many national parks of Taiwan offer great opportunities for getting off the grid, there’s nothing quite like a retreat for a truly holistic experience. Here’s our pick of the best.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Origin Yoga & Wellness Retreat

Located in a one-time abandoned building with stunning views of the ocean, Origin Yoga & Wellness is a family-run center in an idyllic setting. Offering both full-day and multi-day retreats, this father, daughter, and son team aim to provide not only a calming environment for people in need of some downtime, but also the opportunity for their guests to see the real Taiwan – Origin Yoga & Wellness Retreat has partnered up with a number of local businesses to offer tours of the area and a real taste of local life, particularly for their foreign visitors.The family prides themselves on providing everything on-site, sourcing local ingredients and preparing all meals in-house – they have even gone so far as to create their own signature kombucha. The oceanside setting plus the incredible efforts made to create quiet and calm space for their guests makes this a hugely popular option, not only for lone travelers, but also for teachers hosting private retreats. For a retreat that’s located close to Taipei City, this places checks all the boxes.

The One Nanyaun is actually owned by a hotel chain with three locations in Taiwan, but its Hsinchu County retreat is, without doubt, the most relaxing setting. Built in 1985 as the retirement home for Wang Tiwu, the founder of United Daily News, The One Nanyuan is an excellent example of modern architecture in a classic Chinese style. Counting Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev as former guests, this place is simply breathtaking in every aspect. Set in incredible lush greenery and featuring landscaped gardens, there’s no way that you can do anything but relax in the serene setting.While the hotel doesn’t offer specific wellness retreats, its location within the quiet and serene Xinpu area, as well as the local flora and fauna certainly make for an idyllic setting. Add to that the incredible artwork and craftsmanship on display and an over-12 policy for guests, you can see why this place would make an incredible base for a few days of calm and relaxation.

Ananda Suruci Master Unit (Spiritual Eco-village)

As one of the best-known retreat locations in Taiwan, Ananda Suruci Eco-village is must for this list. The village plays host to a great number of events throughout the year that include yoga, meditation, and detox retreats, student camps, permaculture design courses, and a variety of seminars and spiritual retreats. Set in a small village in Tainan, the eco-village offers visitors the opportunity to get away from it all, while learning about sustainability and self-sufficiency. Here you’ll get the chance to help out on the organic farm, and can volunteer to work there for anything from three weeks to several months.Of course, how involved you get in the goings-on in the eco-village depends entirely on the course or retreat that you’re there to attend, but with so many events planned over the course of the year, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.