After our brief visit at Meihua Lake Leisure Farm, we proceeded to one of the famous leisure farms in Taiwan – the Shangrila Leisure Farm where we would stay overnight. Shangrila Leisure Farm is located at 250 meters above sea level on Dayuan mountains in Yilan country, the northeast coastal area of Taiwan. We arrived at Shangrila Leisure Farm when the mountain weather was about to throw its tantrum.
Before it started to rain, we participated in the guided nature trail walk around Shangrila Leisure Farm by taking the path near the hotel signboard across the street. The path took us through the orchards and greeneries of Shangrila Leisure Farm all the way to the observation deck overlooking the Lanyang Plain. The guide introduced us to different species of endemic trees of Taiwan forest such as michelia formosana of magnolia tree family used in ancient time for chopping boards and endemic conifer tree of Taiwan, used for blackwood furniture.
Along the way, we passed by a camping platform area and orchard areas planted with guava, dragon fruits, pomelo, kumquat and oranges. We were allowed to pluck the ripe fruits.
Lanyang Plain is also known as Yilan Plain. It was formed in the shape of near triangle with the broad and flat feature used for transportation for convenience. The Plain was inhabited by the Kavalans, which form the larger part of indigenous people of Taiwan. However, most of the Kavalans moved to Hualien and Taitung area in the 19th century.
At the observation deck, we had a swing while enjoying the view!
From the observation deck, we could also see the accommodation buildings in red.
Before going back to the reception area, Mr Anton, our tour leader insisted that we took a different route back to try the rope bridge. It was quite challenging if there were too many people on the bridge because it would keep on swaying.
Our next activity was playing bubbles near the reception area! It was a jolly fun activity even for adults. However, heavy rain cut short the activity. Later, we proceeded to the reception area to get our room keys. Even the reception area comprises of good quality wood slab furniture.
At the right corner of the reception area, the staff of Shangrila Leisure Farm was busy cutting bananas from its bunch. She called us out and told us the bananas were complimentary for all visitors. In fact, all fruits from the orchards will be made available for the visitors for free.
Our room was located in the newly built wing of the leisure farm. I couldn’t describe just how unique the cypress wood room was with the awesome view of the plain beneath. Every tiny detail of the room envisages a precision in details.
Look at the light and you will notice the dragonfly shape. Fitting for a room in the relax environment of Shangrila Leisure Farm.
What I liked most about the room was the raised platform with a sink and table meant for enjoying tea.
Or working on your laptop with the picturesque view.
You can even enjoy the view while soaking in the bathtub.
Halal Food at Shangrila Leisure Farm
For dinner, Shangrila Leisure Farm prepared home cooked halal food with some additional dishes made specifically for our group. I’m sure the pictures will drool you over the food.
Note the exquisite halal cookware.
The spicy shrimp sauteed with fried garlic.
Crab dish.
Butter chicken
The bread tasted so good that we had to ask for another serving.
Squid salad
Night Activities at Shangrila Leisure Farm
After enjoying the dinner, we headed down to the activity area where we were taught to prepare Taiwan-styles Mochi. Mochi is a dessert made of glutinous rice with paste of choice and the normal paste used is the red bean paste.
Then, we were given a white-coloured lantern and marker pens to write our wishes on.I wish for good health and jodoh. I don’t know why I have to mention this.
So anyway, we circled the lantern or tanglung, lightened it and let it afloat in the sky. Deep inside, we all dreamed for our wishes to come true.
The staff of Shangrila Leisure Farm offered to bring us to the observation deck to enjoy the night view. Normally they would not bring any guests to the observation deck at night because the routes were dark and risky. The view was superb at night making the walk to the observation deck all worth doing.
Coming back from the observation deck, we joined the guests for traditional games like top spinning and walking in wooden clog.
Before leaving Shangrila Leisure Farm on the next morning, we took some pictures for a place like no other. I wish we spent more time in Shangrila Leisure Farm. Even within the limited time, it was not hard to tell why Shangrila Leisure Farm ranks high in top leisure farms of Taiwan.
2 Comments
Sis, quick question, how about the price for accommodation there, its cheap?
Wow! Stunning room you got there Farah. And yes! we envy the view you get from that bath tub too …
Let’s hope things turn out well for Taiwan. All the talks about China and Taiwan preparing to fight each other doesn’t bode well for their tourism.