Road Trip from Taipei to Kaohsiung: Sun Moon Lake and Xitou

After a fun-filled and exhilarating day at Qingjing Farm, we continued our journey south, making a quick stop at the picturesque Sun Moon Lake along the way. For some of the family, it was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting a place they had fond memories of from many moons ago.

Misty beauty of Sun Moon Lake

Reminiscing with a walk through town in the drizzling rain

That evening, we arrived at the Howard Resort, ready to kick back and relax after a full day of sightseeing. Imagine our surprise when we discovered there were no elevators to the reception area or our rooms!

Taiwan was the first stop on our seven-week adventure across Asia, which would take us from wintry weather to the tropics, with a wedding celebration along the way. With such a varied itinerary, we had packed for every occasion—and naturally, that meant lugging around some rather hefty suitcases!

See those stairways? Yep, we had to haul our suitcases up those! 😅

and these steps to the room

Thankfully, our younger cousins came to the rescue and helped haul our luggage upstairs. Thank you all! We really appreciated the help. 😊

After a restful night and a delicious, hearty buffet breakfast the next morning, we were ready to discover what our cousins had planned for us.

The Howard Resort is just a stone’s throw from the entrance to the Xitou Nature Education Area, a beautiful mountain retreat known for its towering trees, lush bamboo groves, scenic hiking trails, and diverse wildlife. 

Don't you just love these garbage cans?

According to the Taiwan Tourism website, the area is home to 70 varieties of birds. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any during our visit, but we did see visitors enjoying leisurely hikes, yoga classes, and picnics amid the lush greenery.

It was early February, and the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, adding a lovely touch of color to the peaceful forest. It was heartwarming to see people of all ages embracing the outdoors and enjoying the tranquility of this beautiful mountain retreat.

cherry blossom blooming early February

University bamboo bridge

Xitou was the perfect little escape from the hustle and bustle of Taipei and Taichung. Surrounded by crisp mountain air and tranquil forest scenery, it reminded us to slow down, and appreciate the simple pleasures of life.

We’re truly grateful to have foodie and travel-savvy cousins who took us beyond the usual tourist trail and introduced us to these hidden gems. Experiencing Taiwan through their eyes made the journey all the more special, giving us a glimpse of places we might never have discovered on our own. Good food, beautiful scenery, and precious family moments — what more could we ask for? ❤️

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday. 

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