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!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Dare to Share Saturday, Altered Book Lover, and **Art*Journal*Journey*.

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Taiwan Road Trip: Taipei to Kaohsiung — Taichung

Back in January, we were traveling through Taiwan. I started writing about our trip and managed to get two posts out—one about Taipei, the capital, and another about Wulai (烏來), a mountain town about an hour south of Taipei.

And then… life happened, and I never got around to finishing the story!

So, picking up where I left off, we continued our road trip south toward Kaohsiung. From Wulai, it was about a 2½-hour drive to Taichung, on the western side of central Taiwan.

Our foodie cousins were traveling with us, and they knew exactly where we needed to stop for lunch: Chun Shui Tang (春水堂), the famous restaurant credited with being the birthplace of bubble tea. I love milk tea, but I’m certainly no bubble tea connoisseur. In fact, before writing this post, I was confused about the difference between bubble tea and boba tea. Turns out, they’re essentially the same thing! Both refer to tea, usually with milk and sweetener, served with chewy tapioca pearls—or “boba.” These days, boba tea is all the rage—you can find it in just about every city!

There was a bit of a wait, but we didn’t mind. The outdoor seating had such a lovely, relaxed atmosphere that waiting actually felt like part of the experience. 

Famous bubble tea —mmm, mmm good! 🧋 Definitely lives up to the hype!

Noodle dishes

So glad we had locals to decipher the myriad choices on the menu

After lunch, we took a stroll around the National Taichung Theater, also known as Taichung’s Arts NOVA. The striking architecture and open spaces made it a lovely place to explore and take in the surroundings.

Chinese New Year, year of the Horse (Feb 17)

Admiring the skyline of Taichung from the inside

Our fun personal tour guides

Next up was a beloved gift shop for some New Year shopping. From the outside, the building looks a little weathered and unassuming—but step inside and WOW! The interior is filled with antique furniture, charming displays, and an incredible assortment of unique goodies and gifts, all perfect for sharing with family and friends during the New Year.

I didn’t know it at the time, but I later learned this was Miyahara (宮原眼科), a historic Taichung landmark dating back to 1927, when it first opened as an ophthalmology clinic during the Japanese colonial period. The original brick walls have been beautifully preserved, adding to its timeless vintage charm.

I loved the beautiful gift-wrapping papers featuring horses to celebrate the Year of the Horse. What a lovely blend of tradition, artistry, and local charm!

Pretty packages celebrating the Year of the Horse. 🐎

Too bad we had just had a big lunch, so we didn’t get to try any desserts. After reading more about Miyahara, I discovered that their ice cream is apparently not to be missed. Now I understand the long line for ice cream. Oh well—another reason to come back next time! 

Stay tuned for the next chapter of our road trip. I promise it won’t take me nearly as long to get to it this time! 😉

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Altered Book Lover.

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Happy Chinese New Year

A Side Trip from Paris: Moret-sur-Loing

In recent years, our Parisian cousin has taken to exploring the countryside beyond Paris, discovering charming towns and villages just a short drive from the city. When we visited her in early May, she suggested a day trip to Moret-sur-Loing, a beautiful medieval town about an hour from Paris.

The moment we parked and began wandering through the town, we had a strange sense of déjà vu. The cobblestone streets, centuries-old buildings, and picturesque setting all seemed oddly familiar. As we strolled along, we kept looking around, trying to figure out where we had seen this place before.

Then it suddenly clicked—we had seen Moret-sur-Loing on YouTube!

We had been following a young woman’s channel featuring charming places to explore in the countryside around Paris. As we wandered through the town, we began recognizing the streets and scenery from one of her videos. What a sweet bit of serendipity—to discover that a place we had once watched on a screen had somehow found its way onto our own travel itinerary.

Historic mill and cascading weir (low dam) on the Loing River

Unfortunately, our timing wasn’t great. When we arrived, clouds had rolled in and rain seemed imminent. To make matters worse, it was a holiday, so most of the shops and restaurants were closed. Luckily, we found La Terrasse open and stopped there for some lovely traditional French food, along with a beautiful view of the Loing River.

How could we possibly pass up the chance to order pâté and escargot?

We ordered several entrées, all served with French fries, including this sausage entrée.

After we left Moret-sur-Loing, the weather started to clear. The clouds lifted, and blue skies appeared. Our cousin decided to stop in Barbizon, another charming village that was once home to a community of painters. Mosaic artworks dot the village, adorning its stone walls and adding colorful touches to its picturesque streets, much like the artistic touches along Van Gogh Way in Saint-Rémy.

After all that walking, we were more than ready for a break, so we ducked into this cozy Japanese-style pâtisserie, where an irresistible selection of pastries awaited. It was the perfect spot for a coffee break and a chance to rest our weary feet. 

And the pastries? Absolutely amazing!

Thanks to our cousin, we were lucky to discover this quieter side of Paris. Away from the crowds, we could leisurely stroll, soak in the atmosphere, and experience the slower, more authentic charm of the French countryside.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday, Through My Lens, and Mosaic Monday.

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