Every summer, Toucheng Leisure Farm offers a summer camp for kids, from the age of 6 – 12, to enjoy one week of adventures and fun in the mountains of Kengfeng village. Increasingly, also children from overseas such as Singapore or Hong Kong are joining, either for the purpose of improving their Chinese language skills or to just get out of the city- noise and experience rural roots, where school pressures, and even computers and game boys become the last thing on their mind. But while the kids are busy all day, exploring the unknown with their peer companions, there is no time for them to take care of their parents. So what to do with them?
Believe it or not, but as soon as the kids are off with their group on the first day, parents are basically not needed anymore: “Hello Holidays!” Indeed, this is a great opportunity to either alone, or with other parents to explore the beautiful spots Toucheng Farm, Yilan County and beyond has to offer. Toucheng Leisure Farm is always happy to assist in planning and giving advice.
As interests differ between parents, mothers and fathers, younger and older, tired or full of energy, culturally or sportive oriented, there is something to do for everyone. Naturally, parents can at anytime join into activities offered my Toucheng Leisure farm (see: http://www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/html/guide.htm). Moreover, it is also nice to explore the mountain side on their own, to hike, take pictures, or just enjoy the countryside with its plants, animals and ponds.
At any spot there are opportunities to lay into a hammock and take a nap or read. One opportunity one should not fail to spot, is the sunrise in the east, rising up behind Turtle Island one can view from up in the mountains, reached after a short hike. Priceless scenery! Although Toucheng Leisure Farm offers a great buffet every day for lunch, with a variety of traditional Taiwanese specialties, one should not let pass the lunch that is served at the Cang Jiu Winery of the Farm. Here the cook serves anything from seafood, Mongolian Lamb to Argentinean Steak, all prepared with fresh ingredients, and of course dined with its own produced Wine. In fact, one can even enter into the cellar and distillery of the Winery and get acquainted with the processes of wine production.
Leaving Toucheng Leisure Farm’s mountains opens up other opportunities to see and do. The closest places to explore are the nearby beaches at the Pacific Ocean, such as Waioi Beach and the Fulong Beach. Here one can just relax while sunbathing or follow other offered activities such as Paragliding, surfing or a boat trip to Turtle Island to watch Dolphins and Whales.
If one chooses to do paragliding, one should take the time to drink some coffee first, at the Mr. Brown - Castle, on top of the mountain. Here one has an incredible view on the Waioi Beach, Pacific Ocean, Turtle Island and the haven and plain of Jiaosi.
Down at the beach again, one can take a walk to the newly opened Lanyang Museum, with a uniquely architectural design inspired by Yilan’s geographical environment consisting of its mountains, plain and ocean structure. Inside the Lanyang Museum one can not only learn about Yilan’s natural environment, but also about the traditional livelihood of the Yilan people, adapting to its natural surroundings, engaging into a symbiosis with its nature. Since we are all living in an era where harmony between nature and humans is essential and a major topic on politics’ agendas, it is worth learning about ways to do so from other cultures.
Jiaosi is also famous for its hot spring baths, reminding of the Japanese colonial period. These hot springs in the plain land of Jiaosi, can reach temperatures up to 58°C and are enriched with many valuable minerals. As the ground in the plain lands is filled with many minerals due to the hot spring water, tasteful vegetables grow and are offered as ‘Hot Spring Delicacies’. In fact, many visitors come to get a taste of the special ‘hot spring cuisines’.
However, another ‘spring’ attraction should not be ignored, as it is one that only occurs twice on this planet, cold spring waters, in Su-ao, south of Yilan. From the Toucheng Leisure Farm this destination can easily be reached by train or by car. At the cold spring one can truly relax and bring one’s body temperature down and body circulation up, as the difference between outside and water temperature can be up to almost 15 °C. Again, due to the high amount of minerals in the ground, great and tasteful cuisine can be enjoyed.
On the way to Su-ao one can stop at theone of the tea plantations in Yilan. Taiwan is very famous for growing tea, as the climate is ideal for several kinds of tea. By now, tourists can visit the plantation to experience how tea is planted, harvested and produced. This is especially interesting for foreigners from countries where tea is only an import product. Back in Toucheng it is a nice end of the day to have fresh seafood at one of the local restaurants.
If one feels like city-life again, after these culturally loaded days, it is time for Taipei, the capital of Taiwan at the north of its Island. From Toucheng Leisure Farm, it is only one hour drive, by bus or car, due to the since 2006 opened Hsuehshan Tunnel. Before 2006, it took up to 3 hours to get to Taipei from Yilan. Today it can easily become a day-trip as it is only a short drive. In Taipei everything can be found that feels familiar from the west, including shops, and restaurants. But of course there is more to Taipei than just shopping and eating, as it offers many attractions, such as museums, for example the National Palace Museum, great and high buildings such as the 101 Tower, which ranked highest building of the world until 2004, and the lively and exciting night market. The day can be filled with any activities and can become an ones in a lifetime experience.
Last but not least, there should always be time to visit Jinguashi and New Taipei City. Even the drive to Jinguashi is an attraction itself, as one drives along the coast from the east of Taiwan up to the north. Again, great scenery can be enjoyed, varying between mountains and ocean coasts.
Coast scenery Up at the mountains of Jinguashi there is a Gold Ecological Park, which displays not only the age of gold mining but also it exhibits the old Japanese houses, still standing from the Colonial era of Japan. Moreover, one can walk through the garden of the Crown Prince Chalet; also build in the old traditional Japanese architecture. From this garden one can see grave yards, filled with colorful little Buddhist-graves, as well as the Buddhist Temple hidden in the mountains next to the large golden Statue of the Chinese god, Guan Yu.
Just a few minutes further by car, one gets to New Taipei City, which is well known for its small and narrow valleys, where local business is done. Here one can purchase nice leather wear, traditional Chinese, Taiwanese and Japanese souvenirs and taste Taiwanese candy and ice-‘cream’. Walking all the way up the stairs to the very top of this small city opens up a breathtaking view on the surrounding mountains and ocean.
As one can see, Toucheng Leisure Farm is located at a very central point, where the north, east, and south of Yilan and north of Taiwan can easily be reached within an hour drive. Many unique and diverse trips can be done, varying from relaxing at the hot or cold springs, learning about Yilan’s culture, hiking in the mountains, sunbathing at the beach or visiting the museum. In either case, one is never too far from the kids who are enjoying the summer camp. In fact, this holiday is a great opportunity for both kids and parents to get the best out of their vacation.
By Deschna
By Deschna
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