October 17, 2026

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? ❤️

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Location: Xitou Nature Education Area, No. 9森林巷 Neihu Village, Lugu Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 558

October 02, 2026

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.
Our tour guides leading the way
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!


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Location: Nantou County, Taiwan
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