Travel blog

Travel blog

Deep into the central part of Taiwan, there are two spots you shouldn’t miss.

Cing Ging/ Sun Moon Lake (Nantou)

2018-10-17

10861 views

Often recognized for its sheep and horses, “Cingjing Farm” truly stands out for its beautiful, high altitude scenery. Located at 2000 meters above sea level, Cingjing treats you to magnificent views of the surrounding 3500+ meter high Hehuan Mountains.

The other spotlight in Nantou, “Sun Moon Lake” has a beauty that cannot be grasped by tourists who do not stay a night here. Located beside Sun Moon Lake, Wenwu Temple boasts an excellent view.

 

Suggest Travel Type:

Family ✭✭✭✭✭ Perfect for parents travel with young kids.

Company trip ✭✭✭✭✭

Friends ✭✭✭✭✩

Couple ✭✭✭✩✩

Single ✭✩✩✩✩

Graduation trip ✭✭✭✩✩

 

“Must go” spots showing in Red/ “Should go” spots showing in Purple

Attractions in Nantou

▎Nantou - Qingjing Farm 清境農場

Known as a “Foggy Eden” far away from the city area in the mountains, Qingjing is great for those who enjoy fresh air, lush forests, acres of flowers along the plains and hillsides, and beautiful starry nights.

Qingjing is a favourite spot to interact with farm animals such as cows and sheep. A horse riding show and sheep-shearing show are available for visitors to enjoy as part of farm entry ticket. Pony rides are available during the day at the Qingjing Green Green Grasslands.

Throughout the day, the sun interacting with mist and fog within, around, and over the mountaintops produces some amazing weather effects. At dawn, the sun appears to rise from a sea of clouds. In the afternoon, fog and mist can sometimes roll over the mountains to cover the hillside. At dusk, pink clouds can be produced overhead, creating an amazing sunset panorama for visitors to enjoy.

https://www.cingjing.gov.tw/en/

▎Nantou - Cingjing Skywalk 清境高空觀景步道(天空步道)

The skywalk is at an altitude of 1700-2000 meters and has six lookout points. Visitors are allow to see the magnificent mountain views and the Cingjing Farm below.

Limited tickets are sold both on the Internet and on-site. The Nantou County government provides 3400 pre-sale tickets on the Meet Nantou website each day. The other 600 tickets can be bought direct at the entrance of the skywalk trail. Tickets are NT$50.

▎Nantou - Wuling (武嶺)

Located within Hehuanshan National Forest Area, Hehuan Wuling with an altitude of 3,275 meters is the highest point in the Taiwanese highway system. When the sky in clear, this highly raved spot becomes the perfect location to appreciate the sea of clouds, the sunset and the Milky Way that spread out before you in all its glory. Crux can even be seen in the sky from April to June.

 

Hehuan Wuling sits between the Main Peak and the East Peak. Due to its high altitude, no matter the season, you can expect a crisp 15⁰C to set the perfect wintertime mood for your visit, which is a pleasant change from the tropical climate down below. In winter, the mountain top will be capped with snow, and crowds of tourists flock to this white winter paradise.

To the east, there is a lookout that allows visitors to take in the magnificent views of Hehuanshan, Qilaishan and Nanhu Mountain. When the night falls, many photography enthusiasts will be spotted geared up to capture incredible Milky Way photographs. Forget about Alishan as the sunrise up on Hehuan Wuling is unbeatable. The golden hued rays of sunrise softly caress the horizon with the mountains bathed in the glow of the rising sun. Every single second is a marvel itself, but you have to see it for yourself.

▎Nantou - Shihmen Mountain Trail (石門步道)

Mt. Shimen is the easiest hike out of the high altitude Hehuan mountain range. Though it rises 3,237 m above sea level, Mt. Shimen Trail is constructed out of planks and stone steps, and ascending mostly parallel to the highway. From the trail entrance it takes only about half an hour to reach the peak. Doubleback, the same path is taken to descend.

It's so accessible, that you'll notice many people hopping out of there cars in nice shoes and high heels walking to the top. It's also a favorite of the tour group crowd.

▎Nantou - Aowanda (奧萬大森林遊樂區)

Located in the Renai Township of Nantou, Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area is a prime location to appreciate maple leaves from November to February. It is merely an hour’s drive away from Cingjing Farm.

 

Covering a vast area of 2,787 hectares, Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area spans over a wide altitudinal range from 1,100m to 2,600m, where Wanda Creek (萬大溪) joins four other rivers. That explains why Aowanda has a rich biodiversity of birdlife and is home to a wealth of birds from over 120 species. If you are lucky enough, you might even spot the Formosan blue magpie (台灣藍鵲), which is an endemic species and Taiwan’s national bird. These fascinating blue crows are usually found in groups of six or more, gliding and shuttling in the woods. They are unafraid of people, so it is quite easy for birdwatchers to have a close-up look at these “long-tailed mountain ladies.” The forest management even had a number of man-made birdhouses affixed to tree trunks for birds to nest in, with cameras recording their behavior.

As you walk deep into the forest, you will find a suspension bridge spanning the valley – this is said to be the best viewing point for admiring the surrounding mountain tops. But if you have a fear of heights, think twice. As this bridge is quite long, and its imposing height might have you suffer a panic attack, not to mention that it can be a bit scary when the wind blows. The forest is huge, so expect to spend at least three hours walking around. The grandeur of maple trees bursting with colors will make you lose track of time if you are visiting during the right season.

Aowanda is also a fantastic location for firefly watching all year round, but in April and May, the number of fireflies will reach its peak. These little dancing fireflies create a magical illusion in a completely natural setting of enchanted forests, which will surely be the experience of a lifetime in early spring.

▎Nantou - Huisun Farm (惠蓀林場)

Huisun Forest Area is one of the four major woodlands managed by the Agricultural Department of the National Chung Hsing University. The wide farm land consists mainly of virgin forests. Temperatures and scenery varies as the altitude increases. This was the first farm cultivates coffee beans in Taiwan - the Chungshin coffee. The forest farm’s recreational area houses coffee garden, campsite, pine trees woodland, Huisoon Peak, Lishan Village, Frog Rock, Tang Pavilion, small cottage area, Chinlung Valley and terrace area. The forest provides a great natural and educational experience for city folks.

Huisun Forest was called Nenggao Forest. The name "Huisun" came from the late university president Tang Hui Sun. In memory of Headmaster Tang who left in an expedition accident in the forest, the university renamed the forest from Nenggao to Huisun. The forest includes beautiful canyons and waterfalls. With over 80 % of the forest still preserved at its primitive state, there is so much to be discovered. Organized hiking routes and trails leading up to the mountains; the scene beauty is uniquely rare, ideal for family vacation or for honeymooners.

 

▎Hehuan Mountain Acommodation:Egmont Situation Resort (英格曼花園山莊)

We had 5 of us and thus was given the attic room. The children were so pleased with the idea of staying in the attic. This minsu is truely nice. The owner was there during our stay and we had a good chat. The beds were comfortable. Everything in the room, from the sheets to the curtains were all personally selected by the owner. Everything was clean and superb! It was pouring when we stayed.. So we missed the mountain views but still the place is very unique. Breakfast was local cooking plus bread... N it was served individually.

We had dinner there too and it was hot pot ! Great for a cold and wet night! I find the experience very good.

Website: http://www.nz-egmont.com/index.php

 

 

▎Nantou - Sun Moon Lake (日月潭)

Taiwan's largest lake, Sun Moon Lake is located in the mountains of Nantou at the geographic centre of Taiwan island.

The name of the lake is inspired by the beauty of the area. The east side of the lake is round, like the sun, while the west side is long and narrow, like a crescent moon.

The aboriginal Thao tribe lives around the lake, and are the proprietors of many local businesses. The town Ita Thao (伊達邵) is located across the lake from the pier area and next to the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway.

In the centre of the lake is a small island named Lalu, and is reserved for aboriginal religious practices, therefore the public is not allowed to visit the island.

 

▎Nantou - Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Theme park(九族文化村)

Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is close to Sun Moon Lake and covers an area of 62 hectares. This diverse theme park is suitable for people of all ages, and is divided into 3 main theme areas: European Garden, Joy to the World, and Aboriginal Tribal Areas. The overall layout in the park is perfect. Besides providing an exquisite experience to learn about the aboriginal culture, the park also has the latest thrill rides for visitors of all ages to experience.

 

Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village also has the richest and most comprehensive aboriginal cultural displays and dance performances in Taiwan. The exhibitions and presentations of each aboriginal tribe’s architecture, images, food, music, apparel and life are all based on each tribe’s original culture and material. Visitors can experience and enjoy the beauty of various aboriginal cultures through their exquisite traditional arts, performances and cuisines in the breezy, shaded mountain forest. Coming to Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village is like going to a large Taiwan aboriginal museum.

 

Taiwan’s Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in February every year and the thousands of Peony Cherry trees throughout Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village bloom radiantly.

https://www.nine.com.tw/webe/html/information/index.aspx

 

▎Nantou - FINGER TEA (茶二指故事館)

For the bustle of life, to find the rest of the corner.

Tea finger Story House, Inn is your soul, the dream of a hotbed.

"Taiwan tea with the world", is a hundred years Changshun business philosophy, through the establishment of "finger Tea Story House" in the hope that Taiwan reflect the unique good-natured human, to show affection fatherhood contains rich heritage, as well as traditional Taiwan tea culture and pioneering spirit. Changshun tea over a hundred years, this year began selling finger, hoping to create a new chapter for the tea industry in Taiwan.

Website: http://www.fingertea.com.tw/

 

▎Nantou - Xitou Nature Education Area (溪頭森林遊樂區)

Xitou Nature Education Area, also known as Xitou Forest Recreation Area, is one of Taiwan’s most noted attractions in Nantou County along with Sun Moon Lake and Cingjing Farm.

Located in Nantou Lugu Town, Xitou Nature Education Area (Xitou Forest Recreation Area) has an altitude of 1,150 meters with an area of 2,500 hectares, comprised of an experimental forest of the National Taiwan University, and diverse varieties of plants include red Chinese cypresses, ginkgo trees and cypress.

It is also an excellent place for bird-watching as more than 7,000 bird species have been spotted in the area. With the average temperature about 16.6 degrees Celsius, it is a popular summer resort in Taiwan.

 

▎Nantou - Jiji Old Street (集集小鎮)

Located in the heart of Nantou, Jiji has been transformed from a barren land into a highly-raved railway town. In 1933, the Japanese colonizers tore down the original Jiji Train Station and turned it into a nostalgic structure built of cypress planks. In 1999, a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck the center of the island, and Jiji was the nearest town to the epicenter of the quake. Unfortunately, the historic Jiji Train Station was seen partially collapsed. After months of renovation work, it has been greeting travelers to the town with its original look since 2000.


 

▎Sun Moon Lake acommodation - The Richforest Hotel - Sun Moon Lake (力麗儷山林會館-日月潭館)

Being famous for the“biggest lodge in Asia”, The Richforest Hotel - Sun Moon Lake is made of Chinese cypress and reports 45 guest rooms and indoor swimming pool.

The Richforest Hotel - Sun Moon Lake was once assessed as a SUPERSTAR HOTEL by the STAR SERVICE in the U.S. and is also a honor villa appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for foreign VIP reception, for years, the villa has attracted many celebrities and refined scholars to visit in person : Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, President of Nauru, King of the Kingdom of Tonga, Prime Ministry of Singapore, Queen Mother of the Kingdom of Swaziland, Prime Ministry of Germany, former President Chen Shui­Bian, President Ma Jing­Jeou and tens of the head of state are all honored guests of The Richforest Hotel - Sun Moon Lake.

Website: http://sunmoonlake.lealeahotel.com/en/

 

Attractions near Taichung

▎Taichung World Flora Expo (2018臺中世界花卉博覽會)

Can you hear the flowers blossom?

In the midst of striving for economic prosperity and technological advancement, it is natural that we sometimes forget to listen to the heart, to connect with the nature, and to maintain the wellbeing of ourselves and the global community as a whole. It is time for us to reconnect to Mother Nature, to hear the colorful blossoming flowers whisper in our ears, telling us how good it is to be alive and how each life can contribute to make the world a prettier and better place.

Website: https://2018floraexpo.tw/

 

▎Taichung - Gaomei Wetland (高美濕地)

Gaomei Wetland located on the south of the mouth of Dajia River is a land mixed with both sand and soil textures and comes in 1,500 acres. That explains why it has complicated yet rich wetland ecology and possesses the largest group of Bolboschoenus planieulmis in Taiwan. Due to diverse geographical features, the species of its ecology is quite abundant.

Every year around fall and winter, large flocks of migrating birds would come here for either short or long stay over the winter, serving as the best spot for bird-watching.

 

▎Taichung - Taichung City Seaport Art Center (港區藝術中心)

Gongdu Art Center is built above artificial hill and ground. The style of the architecture is Chinese style. it is classic and elegant. There are exhibition hall, performance hall, lecture hall, outdoor area and administration department in the center.

Website: http://www.tcsac.gov.tw/