4 Ways To Spend 2D1N Around Cingjing Farm, Nantou, Taiwan

by - Monday, June 12, 2017


For a quick retreat from the bricks of concretes from Taipei city, head to Nantou Country, Renai Town for some breath of fresh air among the highlands and visit some sheep along the way. Just over an hour's train ride from Taipei City.
I have listed the 4 attractions that are great for visits if you are strapped for time with just 2 days 1 night and prefer more of a budget spending.


Directions

I arrived at Taipei for 1 night before heading to  Nantou.
To do so simply board the High Sped Rail (HSR) 台灣高鐵 at Taipei Main Station to Taichung HSR station. The journey is fast and takes about an hour.
Plenty of train frequencies and thus no need to pre-book, just purchase tickets on the spot. You may even choose free-seating tickets, cheaper, but comes with the risk of not having a seat. However, that is highly unlikely for HSR. Most locals choose free-seating tickets.

Reaching Taichung HSR, follow the signage to find Nantou Bus 南投客運 all the way at level 1 exit 5. Upon reaching you will spot a small counter — the one and only — operated by them. 
Purchase your Bus tickets.

Spot the queue for the tickets


Nantou Bus has Numerous package to everywhere in the Nantou region
http://www.ntbus.com.tw/en-index.html to plan which suits you best.

Most people purchase the CingJing and Sun Moon Lake (SML) package tickets. However, for me, I only purchased the SML package as CJ has nothing much for me other than the famous Evergreen Grassland and I was also unable to make it to the Paper Church unfortunately.



1. Cingjing Farm 清境農場

This green odyssey at an altitude of  1,750 meters above sea level, needs no introduction as it's a happy wonderland patronised by tourists and local visitors alike and remains a popular family hangout spot for children to experience close contact with animals. Sheep roamed the green pasture freely till they are rounded by the shepherd and sheepdog for show performances.
How often do city dwellers have a chance to touch animals? 


Sheep Castle 

It's almost a "crime" if you visit CingJing without feeding the sheep! :) 
There you can purchase boxes of pellet feeds from the many dispenser machines at NT50 per box. 

Dispenser machines


The pellets of veggies/ grass mix—probably. 

Me and the very tame sheep~~
How it goes is that you just pour the pellets on your palm, hold it up for sheep ( usually only 1 per feeder) to jump up over the ledge of the fence and lick them.

Their thick wet tongue will wipe out all your feeds in seconds. =)






Sweet treats—Red Bean Sheep-Milk Ice Stick

As with all sheep products, there is a distinct smell to it and it doesn't matter which country the products/ the sheep are from. Same smell, same sourish taste. 

There were miraculously cherry blossoms in bloom when I invited on the 9th April. Purely a coincidence as thereafter, I did not spot anymore blossoms anywhere else in Taipei or Taichung.

I tried my best to snug a "touchy" photo with the roaming sheeps, but it was so hard to stop them, much less get them to look up?  Nevertheless, achievement checked! 
By the way, the weather may seem mild, but it was actually cold yet sunny at the same time with strong, glaring UV rays when you are high up in the highlands. 


Roaming Around the Evergreen Grassland

Surrounding the main stage, large pastures of greenery surrounds. It was no wonder farm is also known as Evergreen Land. The pastures looked moist green, lovely and inviting, except. it also came with the abundance spread of sheep poops. The poops were really 'omnipresent’ and I wondered how so many people could bear to sit on the grass patch — other than laying a mat over­ or even without. 




Ride a Pony?

Before the show starts, kids can choose to ride mules or ponies; and adults on horses for an additional price. 
Seeing the ponies repeat around the small premises, made me feel uneasy. The ponies and horses seemed to be feeling depressed too. Imagine —  the same routine in the little circumference every day, bearing the weight of humans. We humans… I don’t know, it’s for our livelihood that we are offering such services, yet indirectly we are causing psychological harm to the animals. 
What do you think?

This poor fellow. I can practically sense its depression and rejection oozing out. 
So sad. Heads down.


The Sheep Show Began!

When here at the farm, do not miss the sheep show. 
Hosted and performed by the same Caucasian guy from years ago since he began his life in Taiwan. The commentary was done in Mandarin by he himself. I guess visiting Australia or New Zealand would warrant a more authentic experience, if not this will do as fine. The shepherd and the sheep.

Sheep Shearing 

Main highlight of the show. 
Skillfully done and you get a full big piece of woolly fur! Peppered with lots of funny commentaries along the way of course. 



After the Sheep Show

Almost everyone will head to the horse show performance — south of the Greenland ( the sheep show was in the north). Along the way, spotted pretty blossoms!




Of  Mules and Ponies

Sing songs and gently touch or stoke these adorable 4-legged creatures as they approach you.

This is a lovely premises for visitors to be in touch with the tame animals.



Overlooking, you can see the north, the Evergreen pasture land which was where the sheep show was held. Congratulate yourself for having 'walked' thus-far. 


The Handsome Horse Show

It was, in a way, an exhilarating performance and I could see that the Mongolian performers were really good at what they do — mounting and dismounting on the horses with various stunt displays. Pity this venue was way too small and confined for these huge, tall horses.
Just felt that way.
With the rounds and rounds of gallops the horses did, I felt it really did rob them of their 'freedom',  just wished the space for performance was bigger. It was a pity such fine performers and horses were restricted by the space. 


After the show, simply there was a meet-and-greet photography session thereafter.

487-Steps Trail

Part of the must-do in CingJing is to walk the 步步高升 trail and of course, walking downhill is always a better choice than going uphill.


After the show, head downwards. You will pass by a toilet and then just follow others all the way down to the forested path. 
Before this standee, there is a crossroad whereby you will spot 2 paths, not indicated with directions. I was confused  as there were people walking both ways — steps and a meandering slope which may be easier for elderly who are weak on their knee. 
I am glad I followed the younger ones which, eventually led to the 487 steps as seen below
The scenery high up was breathtaking with the sun about to set. Stop to appreciate the scenery around, don't just keep walking down the steps. 

The journey down was not too bad—the steps were well planked and paved—it's not like you will be walking on clobbered stones whatnot. This marks a huge convenience. 


As you hop down and looking back, this was the long flight of stairs you would have taken. A pat on your back.

Getting to Swiss Garden (Next Stop)

1. After exiting onto the ground level where the main roads are, you will come across the Travel service centre—a coagulation of souvenirs shop. After which there will be no indications again as to where to turn to go to Small Swiss Garden. However you will spot a hospital nearby, just go in and ask for directions, for outside the compounds of the hospital/first aid centre there is a PEDESTRIAN WALKING PATH. If you do not enter the hospital, you will be dangerously walking about the vehicles road path, which you shouldn't with its sharp curves and vehicles traveling at a fast speed. 
So go into the compounds of the hospital first.

2. I didn't snap the Pedestrian pathway as it was rather plain and the sky turns dark pretty fast so I need to get to the base of the hill where the facilities and Swiss Garden is. Gladly the path was quite fast, about 10 mins and it's a one way path so don't worry, you will eventually reach back to the "town centre"


2. Swiss Garden 小瑞士花園

Have your meal at Paper Carton King 紙箱王 first and you get to enter for free.
Actually there really is nothing to wow about. Festival times might be better with more flowers as I learnt from friends. 
On a daily basis, the garden is PAINFULLY BARE. Can I say it can't even be declared as a garden?
There were minimal flowers in bloom, much less to take photos with. 
It was that sad. Coming at the right season is important.
This wisteria garland in the entrance is the only exception with real flowers in bloom. 


Look, nothing blooms. 


Thus, all I can take photos were with the Open Jiang Mascots of 7-11.








Fog of the Night

Come night time, experience fog due to the cold weather at high altitude. No joke, the cold came fast as temperature plummets. 

There was no one out and even with the lights on, I can't say that it was a colorful, nice garden to visit. 



3. Paper Carton King 紙箱王 

There are much to choose from when having your meal at 紙箱王 ( Zhi2 Xiang1 Wang2). Ranging from sets such as the ones below or paper steamboat which seems really popular!  This one was at Swiss Garden is purely a dine-in restaurant concept; there is also a Paper Carton Museum at the outskirts of Taichung City accessible only via a driver pick-up service, mostly. 

Below is the Half Spring Chicken Set!
Succulent crispy chicken in a really generous portion served with rice, soup, cabbage, grass jelly as desserts and even a carton-packaged drink!  


You can take home the drink carton and the (candle) light box. Though as much as I wanted to brink the drink carton home, I discarded it halfway out. It was too bulky, and I think I dirtied it. =P

Look Inside! 

Isn't this concept gorgeous, akin to stepping into fairyland with the lights twinkling? Literally.
  Lots of creativity. Paper props/ figurines and furniture in all sorts brighten up the space with colour lights that really fulfil the whole paper concept. The restaurant was in fact way darker and dimmer looking.


Aren't the lights pretty with the 'Paper Tree'? 


Heading back to the accommodation was a big headache — especially if your place is not within walking distance from the "Town Centre" ( aka where 7-11, Swiss Garden is). 

Tips To Note:

1. Book the pick-up service from your accommodation directly for cheaper RATES. I have asked the taxi drivers for the fees back to my guesthouse in Shan Shui-Yuan Vege Guesthouse and the price quoted was about 2 times the rate from the guesthouse at NT$100. 
And here is the crappy part: With 2 persons, each will only pay NT$50 but if it's just you, one person then it's freaking NT$100 [ so..... =( ]

2. Take down your accommodation phone number. You never know when you will need them. 
Case in point: Didn't know what time I will reach Swiss Garden nor when I need to head back to the guesthouse, so, in the end, I made a call to the guesthouse directly at Swiss Garden itself.  My Taiwan SIM Card was not able to call out only able to receive calls, that's why. 
Either way, I wanna share that if you ever need to call out locally, the public assistance window just by the ticketing counter of Swiss Garden is where you should head to. Shown below.
 They were very helpful.

3. Internet connection in the high altitude is really WEAK. So don't expect to have connectivity even if you have pre-paid SIM card. 
4. Even pick-up services have timings — at least where I stayed. So say, I booked at 7 pm, turned out the driver can only come by at 830pm. So it was one hour of freaking waiting. 
5.  It gets really dark and foggy by night, making it impossible to walk beyond the boundaries of the "Town Centre".
6. The Old England Manor is another popular place for visitors to spend leisure, indulging times. Unfortunately, sitting down for hours for a meal is not something I am not too keen for on a trip and I skipped that. Accommodations are available at this manor too. Popular and more on the expensive side.
(Accommodation at Nantou)

4. Sunrise at He Huan San 合歡山

There is one more activity be done when in CingJing and that's to witness the Sunrise at He Huan San. Of course,  if you have more time and really love trekking/hiking, He Huan San with its rich biodiversity is a popular location for adventurers. There are many ways to get to know He Huan San and you can even have a 1-day tour there or trek in a group.
Most accommodations in CingJing should be able to get you a day tour or trekking package.  

Of course, the quickest way perhaps to be part of the action is to view the widely acclaimed beautiful sunrise.

Again, this is really dependent on your luck. There is no way to predict the fickle weather and as a tourist, not practical to make a 2nd way up the next day again — not in the same trip anyway. Each time up costs around NT900 ( ~ 30++ SGD) . Each vehicle comes with thick jackets for the cold at high altitude. Regardless which tour operator you book with, every one of them will certainly have the jackets for this leg of the journey. 

We need to be outside the guesthouse at 3 am in total darkness, flashing our touch lights for the vehicle pick–up.
We first passed by the highest altitude convenient 7-11 store at 2050 meters above sea level

1 hour later at 4 am we reached the mid-peak.

2000 ft above sea level and the temperature was pretty low by then, about 5 deg C. It was so early the electric signboard was not even powered on.

At 5am we reached our viewing point with clear skies. 

Excited to See Colours

I wish I could boast of the sunset that came upon us in golden, orange blankets but unfortunately, it was not meant to be. Along the 2-hours journey up the altitude, the weather was clear and fine. However, upon reaching the viewing point and camping out in the freezing chilly cold for another 30 mins, the rain came upon us with heavy looming clouds.  
The sun had rose but hidden. 

Other buses waiting out. 

The hanging gloomy clouds ready to fall with the raindrops in just minutes just when the sun was about to rise.
It did.

Within a minute, the weather changed into a dusty grey. Leaving us running for shelter.
It did not matter which tour agency you joined because at the end, everyone, despite at different viewing point, got drenched on that same day.



Wu Ling (武嶺)

Wu Ling is the highest point on Taiwan island. It's in between the main peak and east peak of He Huan San. 
The loom and rain came so heavily and without umbrellas on board the bus, we could not even take a photo of the landmark point ( as below) crowded by other tourists amidst the heavy rain. Pity.

When we reach ground zero again, the rain had stopped and the sky cleared. It was too late, a mismatch in timing. Unfortunately,  there will be no chances I will return to this area in Nantou again —  saw what I needed to. 

Packing Up

After the sunrise trip, I was back to the guesthouse by 9/10am. I had later checked out and took a private pick-up service to Sun Moon Lake, which was my next destination. Ending my 2 days 1 night in Nantou.

Conclusion

Everything in CingJing is much more expensive — transportation, accommodations, dining —as compared to places like Taipei or downtown Taichung. Unfortunately, there is no NO WIN-WIN situation. If you stay at a cheaper accommodation slightly further from the "town centre" you have to folk out on transportation within CingJing. If you stay nearby, you can walk to your accommodation and the other attractions but the pricing at such places are more expensive. 
I did not actually work out the pricing comparisons, but it's a trade-off really. Which version is more worth the bucks?
 Perhaps getting a more expensive and nearby accommodation.  Let me know your thoughts? 
After all the world is your oyster. 
:) 

Repin For Later!


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7 comments

  1. Great resource for when I get to go to Taiwan.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Shery! Hope it helps~

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  2. Loved all those photos! Seems like there's a whole lot to do in those two days, especially when you have something planned for daybreak!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Hollie! I hope you enjoyed the photos~~ haha ya time was tight for sure~

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  3. That looks like such a fun break from the city! Your photos are so pretty!

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  4. Looks like such a fun time spent exploring! So much to see and do! Thanks for sharing!

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  5. This looks like a fun site .. I love the greens and blues you captured.
    I'm a panoramic fan that makes my eyes stare at it.

    Do Visit : Natural Tour

    ReplyDelete