Qingjing Farm (aka Cingjing Farm) is a high mountain farm in Renai Township of Nantou County. It features beautful mountain scenery, sheep petting zoo, animal shows, horse riding, and horesmanship shows.
Historical Background: During Japanese rule, the area around Qingjing farm was originally pasture for the cattle of the Seediq aboriginal tribe. This is the same tribe that caused the Mushe Incident, the biggest rebellion against the Japanese during that era involving mass killings of Japanese and even more Aboriginals in return. If you don't know what I'm taking about, you should watch the film Warriors of the Rainow: Seediq Bale. The Mushe incident memorial can be found a littler further down the road in Wushe as the Mona Rudo Resistance Monument. Later in 1959 the ROC government made the area a relocation area for a few military families to plant tropical fruits. In 1967 Chiang Chin-kuo (Chiang Kai-shek's son) visited the area and remarked: 「清新空氣任君取，境地優雅是仙居」meaning "There is fresh air for one to breathe, and the area is elegant like the dwelling place of a fairy." From then on the farm changed it's name from Rongmin Farm (榮民農場meaning honorary citizens' farm) to Qingjing Farm, meaning "Fresh Landscape." By 1985 the farms around Qingjing all were making losses. But then the first hotel was built in the area, the income of which was greater than that of the farm itself. From then on the tourist sector of Qingjing farm began. Nowadays the farm is purely a tourist attraction, and many hotels and hostels have been built in the area. Price: Full adult ticket: 200 NT on holidays, otherwise 160 NT Student ticket: 130 NT Elderly/disabled/children 6-12: 80 NT Groups over 30 people: 120 NT Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM every day! How to get there: By Bus: From Taichung, take the Kbus, Nantou Bus, or Quanhang bus to the Puli bus station. You can also take Kbus from Taipei Main station straight to the Puli bus station. From there, you can buy entrance tickets to Qingjing and round trip bus tickets all in one via Nantou bus. The bus will leave and come back to Puli Station. Be sure to take the bus all the way to the Qingjing entrance. By Car: Take national Highway 6 to Puli and then continue onto provincial highway 14 all the way to Qingjing farm. There are private parking lots above the entrance for about 200 NT a day, and there are usually extra spots even on a busy day. Map: Please refer to the map below:
Our Journey:
Our first trip to Qingjing Farm started in the township of Caotun in Nantou County. I have been to Qingjing Farm a total of three times, twice by bus and once by car. I think it would be helpful for everyone to learn about the bus route, so I'll start with that.
The first thing you need to do is get to Puli Bus station (see bus directions above). From there you can buy your entrance ticket and round-trip bus ticket all in one.
The round trip and entrance ticket is 250 NT per person, which is really a deal especially on a holiday when the entrance fee alone is 200 NT.
On the way up the mountain, you will pass Wushe, as well as amazing views of the Wushe reservoir.
The entrance to Qingjing Farm is like a big white castle. You will notice that many of the hotels and hostels on the way up are in the same style. I think this goes along with the escapism aspect of Qingjing farm. It's a place totally unique in Taiwan, and for Taiwanese who love to travel to other countries for fun, it gives them that out of country feel.
Right out of the gate you can start feeding and petting sheep at the lower rock castle. The sheep are totally used to humans and you can buy some sheep pellets to feed them from one of the vending machines along the trail. Don't feed them anything else.
Doesn't this hungry sheep just melt your heart?
There are at least two shops at Qingjing Farm. One is in the rock castle at the main entrance, and one is in front of the south entrance. They sell basically the same stuff, and the most popular thing for Taiwanese tourists to buy is the Calcium candy and lotion, both made from goat and cow milk depending on the flavor. These are the go to gifts to give friends and family after the vacation is over.
View from the lower rock castle.
Along the path to the amphitheater, you can continue to feed the sheep through the fence.
There are some nature trail type signs along the way. But who cares about sage?
The farm is also a great place for wedding photos I guess.
The amphitheater is by far the biggest attraction and always has the biggest crowd. The shows vary from magic to animal tricks, but on a busy holiday weekend you'd be lucky to get a seat down below. Sit farther away and you really won't be able to see or hear what is going on.
This place can get pretty packed, and from this view we didn't see much of anything.
You can also take horse rides! Truly a rare activity for an average Taiwanese local.
There's nothing to do here really except enjoy the scenery.
Along the way you can always find some sheep along the trail, and crowds of people surrounding them.
From time to time, the management does let the sheep roam behind cages where they cannot be bothered by the masses.
Sheep grazing on the steep hill below one of the pavilions.
Once you make your way down the hill past the main amphitheater, you will have to exit the farm and walk past a fruit and vegetable market in order to get to the other side. You'll have all kinds of fruits and treats thrown in your face (not literally), but it's a nice place for a snack as there's not really much else to eat up there.
One of the many sausage stands in the alleyway.
On the other side of the alley is the entrance to the south part of the farm. All you have to do is show the stamp on your hand to get in.
The south part of the farm is the most scenic and picturesque. I was lucky to still see some cherry blossoms during Qingming festival this year. There were tons of other people taking selfies in front of them,
View of the north part of the farm. This was taken in February before the cherry blossoms were in bloom.
A view of the mountains to the east.
Qingjing farm is also a great place for group photos.
Further down the mountain is a windmill that's only purpose is to provide an interesting background for selfies.
A lone sheep looking over the vast scenery.
Another view further down the trail.
Yeah, don't ride the sheep!
Once you go all the way down the mountain, you'll see a trail going off to the right. Over the hill pictured above is the professional horse riding show.
The show starts at 10:45 AM and 3:45 PM and each show goes on for 30 minutes. In my opinion, this is the best part of the whole farm.
The show changes from day to day, but mainly it has to do with riding horses around a circle, riding backwards, sideways, etc.
It's kind of like watching a circus. The riders come from Kazakhstan, where riding a horse is daily life for them.
I was glad to see that the riders support the ROC.
If you want, you can follow one of the riders named Dastan on instagram. He was kind enough to correct me about their country of origin.
On the south side of the mountain is a statue dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek. It reads: "forever remember our leader." Weather or not you like the former dictator, there are some amazing views here that you shouldn't miss. Most people never wander this far, so you'll likely have the place to yourself.
If you happen to go on a sunny day, be sure to bring some sunscreen because the air up there is thin. Also in the wintertime it can get really cold. And there you have it!
Still have questions about Qingjing Farm? Check out the English FAQ on their website here. Please like, comment, and share so that more people can learn about this amazing mountain tourist destination!
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Author 作家We are US Expats that have extensive experience living, working, and travelling in Taiwan. In our day, we had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But we have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. Our blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. We are just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Archives 檔案
June 2023
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