Day 5 of our trip to Taiwan consists of, finally, more locations this time. 4 to be exact, that being a visit to Hehuanshan in the wee hours of the morning, then Cingjing farm, then Lukang Old Street before headed to watch the sunset at Gaomei Wetlands and retiring at our accomodation at TREEART Hotel. All this spans across the Nantou and Changhua Counties and Taichung City. Enjoy!
Note: This is an excerpt from THIS post, hence the Day count
Read to know more about our 7D6N trip to Taiwan and the other days we stayed 🙂
Destination 1 – Hehuanshan
A one hour drive from our previous accomodation at the B&B, Hehuanshan is a 3416m high mountain in the Ren’ai Township of Nantou County. Sometimes called “Joy Mountain”, Hehuanshan is by no means the tallest nor most popular mountain in Taiwan. However, it is renowned for its “sun-spotting” spots and its part of Taiwan’s Central Mountain Range.
Our goal here was to see the stars and watch the sun makes its rise from one of the highest points in Taiwan. However, as for every pro in life, there are cons. For those living in ASEAN and specifically Singapore and Malaysia, Genting Highlands is a frequently visited resort high in the mountains. However, Hehuanshan is almost DOUBLE the height of Genting Highlands and is located not in Malaysia but in Taiwan. What I’m trying to get across is the temperatures.
Yeah. Its no joke. As I mentioned in the master post, you NEED to layer up if you intend to head up to Hehuanshan like we did. Its so cold that snow, usually rare in the rest of Taiwan, is a common sight on this mountain during winter. There is no point being complacent when coming up here… go do your research and be safe.
However, at the end of the day, the sights are to not be missed.
Destination 2 – Cingjing Farm
A fifteen minute drive from our previous accomodation at the B&B after we headed back, Cingjing farm is similarly located in the Ren’ai Township of Nantou County. Cingjing Farm seems to be a far bigger place than I was aware of which means I have far more confusion about where I actually am related to what Cingjing Farm actually is. According to the website, we only visited the “Green Green Grasslands” portion
In any case, the part of Cingjing Farm we went to entailed sheep… a lot of sheep. Oh, and sakura trees. Think the dog and cat cafes people usually visit but with sheep instead of dogs and cats and grass instead of whatever pet food you feed them.
Destination 3 – Lukang Old Street
Another estimated 2 hour drive from Cingjing Farm, Lukang Old Street is located in the Lukang Township of Changhua County. This is our, what, 5th Old Street by now? We’ve been to a lot, so much so we might as well name Taiwan the “Old Street Country”! Ironic joke aside, Lukang Old Street is far, far less crowded than the others we’ve been to.
Yet again, not much to talk about, just a fair stroll through the red-bricked streets.
Destination 4 – Gaomei Wetlands
An estimated 40 minute drive from Lukang Old Street, Gaomei Wetlands is located in the Qingshui District of Taichung City. Taiwan is a massive country unlike Singapore and there are about a hundred places to watch the sunset, mountains or not. However, I’d argue where better than in front of Taiwan’s wind turbines and wetlands.
Well… slight caveat with that. A broadwalk extending far out into wetlands of the West coast of Taiwan results in a whole lotta wind, albeit thats probably why Taiwan’s wind turbines are visible from the broadwalk itself. Because of this wind and the number of people there, be careful not to fall!
Its rather symbolic that we start the day watching the sun rise and we end the day watching the sun set
Accomodation – Treeart Hotel
A 40 minute drive from Gaomei Wetlands, Treeart Hotel is located in the Xitun District of Taichung City. Its a nice, comfortable hotel and our final one before we head home on the plane tomorrow. Our room, according to Agoda once again, was the Family Room. Two beds, shower and a breakfast served to the room, all good in my books.
Now, before I end off this blog, I do wanna talk about something. While we were washing up and preparing to head to bed, I checked CNA’s Instagram on my phone and the news was breaking if you get me. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol declares emergency martial law went the headlines. I wasnt even in South Korea yet I was still pretty concerned, god knows what the Singaporeans in South Korea were thinking. Stayed up for a while just to read the news. Where were you when South Korea burst into flames?
Conclusion – Eve of Leave
Slightly longer blog this time, makes me feel slightly better about the blog length. Day 5 is our final full day in Taiwan, Day 6 being our departure at night and Day 7 being the flight back. Rather sentimental but I fell as though there’s some points during holidays where you’re looking forward to heading back
During our MTS Roadtrip, it was in Ipoh for me, partially because my friend had pushed me into playing Honkai Star Rail when I get back. Today was that day for me. It was comfortable and I was looking forward to tomorrow because we get to go to the premier destination of Taiwan, Taipei 101. Look forward to it.
Make sure to refer to the post link HERE to have a look at the other days we stayed during our 7D6N trip to Taiwan. That’s all from me, make sure to drink your food and eat your water.