Road Trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung: Qingjing Farm

Little did we know what our cousins had planned for the next leg of our road trip. It was one sweet surprise after another.

Taiwan may be relatively small, but its landscapes are incredibly diverse. Within minutes of leaving Taichung, the city gives way to winding mountain roads, forested hills, and spectacular scenery.

Perched nearly 5,740 feet (1,750 meters) above sea level in Nantou County, Qingjing Farm feels like another world. With its European-inspired architecture, cool mountain air, and sweeping views, the area has an almost alpine feel. Green hills stretch into the distance as clouds drift across the mountain peaks. It was a nippy 55.4°F (13°C) when we checked into Qingjing Farm Guest House.

The next morning, we got up bright and early and made our way down the hill to find a good spot for the famous sheep-shearing show. Afterward, the sheep were let loose to roam among the spectators, who could purchase food to feed them. It was a fun and memorable way to start the day!

Aren't they adorable?

We walked through the rolling Green Grasslands to a mesmerizing equestrian show. 

Walking the Qingjing Sky Walk, we were rewarded with sweeping views of the Central Mountain Range. Along the way, we passed food vendors, horses, and, of course, even more sheep—adding to the charm of the mountain scenery.

When we were done exploring, we headed to nearby Puli for lunch at Su Mama’s Tangyuan (蘇媽媽湯圓), a popular local spot serving traditional Taiwanese favorites such as tofu, noodles, and tangyuan (sweet rice balls). She's even been featured on YouTube (see below)! The line was long, but it moved quickly, and before long, we were seated and enjoying a delicious taste of local flavors.

tangyuan or sweet rice balls served in a sugary syrup

Wonton noodle with meat sauce

a tofu dish

With its scenic mountain views, famous green pastures, and sheep and horses grazing peacefully along the hillsides, Qingjing made for a wonderful detour. Add in some delicious Taiwanese favorites, and this unexpected stop turned out to be another gem of our road trip. A big shout-out to our cousins for adding this special stop to our itinerary!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday. 

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