Taking a Time Off in Taiwan

Text by SHAHIDA SAKERI

Images by SHAHIDA SAKERI, SYLVESTER FAN & UNSPLASH

Getting away from the city to slow down is certainly a wonderful way to spend a vacation; however, have you ever considered spending time in a dairy farm?

Crisp air fills the air as my bus approaches the gates of Flying Cow Ranch (www.flyingcow.com.tw/en), but I see nothing peculiar about the place as its name suggests. Instead, this countryside retreat oozes New England charm and serenity as it sits proudly upon a 120-hectare of land, at an elevation of approximately 200 metres above sea level in Miaoli County. It takes about 90 minutes’ drive from Taipei, which I think easily makes it ideal for both day trip and weekend getaway.

The lodge itself offers cosy guest rooms adorned with comfortable furnishings, while the common areas provide plenty of quiet reading nooks in a country-chic setting. Outside, a well-manicured landscape of rolling green grazing field stretches as far as the eye can see. Quiet. Laid-back. Unpretentious. Life here is a slow dance, and I can now see how and why a farm stay grows in people.

The Flying Cow Ranch boasts four restaurants that offer an array of delectable dining options, all showcasing authentic Taiwanese cuisine. These restaurants take pride in utilising the finest ingredients sourced directly from their own farms, ensuring freshness and quality in every dish. Muslim-friendly meals can also be arranged for the convenience of Muslim guests. Lest you forget that you are in a dairy farm, be sure to try the ranch’s addictive milk ice creams, crafted with care using the farm’s fresh milk.

Guests are invited to mingle with the resident goats and ducks, and they can even help in milking the cows. If these are not enough, they can participate in other bucolic activities like hiking and baking fluffy cakes. It’s an opportunity to connect with nature, enjoy the rustic setting, and slow down.

A peaceful getaway at the Flying Cow Ranch is just the beginning of the many enjoyable experiences that await travellers in Taiwan. Read on to find out more ideas on what you can do while taking a time off in this amazing island nation…

In this spread, clockwise from previous page: Get up close with the adorable sheep and feed them with your own hands at Flying Cow Ranch; Flying Cow Ranch boasts a well-manicured landscape of rolling green grazing plots; Take home a unique keepsake by crafting your very own tie-dye masterpiece at Zhou Ye Cottage; Learning the craft of chocolate making at Schokolake.

Clockwise from top, left: The gorgeous architecture of Miyahara has often been likened to the whimsical settings found within the magical world of Fantastic Beasts; Gaomei Wetlands is ideal for romantic strolls; LIHPAO Discovery Land has 33 fun rides not to be missed; The flower displays at Zhongshe Flower Market change with according to season.

Miaoli

Zhou Ye Cottage www.joye.com.tw/index/

Nestled within the serene embrace of nature, Zhou Ye Cottage unveils a nostalgic village ambiance. This private enclave comprises a botanical garden, vegetarian restaurants, a DIY workshop, and a boutique inn, all of which invite guests to find solace amidst the calming beauty of the surroundings.

Moreover, the destination offers guests a remarkable opportunity to explore the art of fabric dyeing with traditional indigo dyes. From crafting simple handkerchiefs to more ambitious projects such as backpacks or T-shirts, the accommodating and skilled staff will provide step-by-step guidance throughout the creative process.

For a truly rejuvenating experience, I highly recommend booking a stay at Zhou Ye Cottage. Each room showcases exquisite, cosy, minimalist design and embraces a touch of Japanese influence. Some of them even provide serene mountain views and tatami, which make you think you are somewhere in the countryside of Japan.

Schokolake Country House www.schokolake.com.tw

Schokolake is dedicated to all things chocolate and said to be the first of its kind in Taiwan. This is where travellers can immerse themselves in a delightful experience where they not only have the chance to purchase delicate chocolates, including those with unique flavours, but also participate in a hands-on DIY workshop to craft their own delectable treats. If you choose to spend the night here, Schokolake also offers accommodation options that include the luxury of a private hot spring tub, providing a truly indulgent and relaxing stay.

Taichung City

Miyahara www.miyahara.com.tw/en/index.html

Miyahara is a gorgeous establishment in Taichung celebrated for its fine handmade confections and delectable desserts, including ice cream, cakes, and cookies. It is housed in a historic building that used to be an ophthalmology clinic until the end of Japan’s occupation in 1945. Fast forward to 2010, the building was acquired by Dawncake, a well-known pastry brand based in Taichung, and eventually underwent a careful restoration to preserve most of its original features.

The building was then reborn as Miyahara Ice Cream and welcomed visitors in 2012. It has since garnered loyal followings for its ice creams; but do not sleep on its handmade snacks, all of which are beautifully packaged, making them excellent gifts for loved ones. There is also a restaurant called the Moon Pavilion occupying the second floor of this building, which has earned a spot on the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand list.

Zhongshe Flower Market www.flowerjs.com.tw

Also known as the Chung She Tourist Flower Market, this vibrant floral paradise is a must-visit destination for flower lovers. It is situated just a short drive away from central Taichung and features meticulously maintained gardens complete with fun props that are perfect for capturing Instagram-worthy photos. One of the market’s highlights is its fascinating tulip field, which reaches its full bloom between January and March. Alternatively, visitors can also enjoy strawberry-picking experience from December to April.

Gaomei Wetlands

Gaomei offers a compelling reason to visit: the opportunity to leisurely stroll along an 800-metre dock and explore the sandy areas beyond it, where you can observe migratory birds, mudskippers, and crabs, among others. Besides, it is also one of the best places to witness magnificent sunsets with silhouettes of colossal coastal wind turbines in the background. The dock is accessible throughout the year but do consider planning your visit during the fall and winter months as migratory birds are most abundant around this time.

LIHPAO Resort Park

www.lihpaoresort.com/LihpaolandApp/Multilingual

Covering an expansive area of 200 hectares, this multientertainment complex is Taiwan’s largest resort park offering a unique combination of attractions. It encompasses the country’s most extensive dual land and water theme parks, the luxurious Fullon Hotel Lihpao Land, an escape room attraction, an outlet mall, a thrilling Lihpao Racing Park with Taiwan’s longest karting track, and the Sky Dream, which is Taiwan’s largest Ferris wheel.

Given the impressive array of attractions available, it is highly recommended to allocate an entire day for your visit to fully enjoy everything on offer. However, if your schedule is tight, I strongly advise prioritising a visit to Discovery Land due to its endless exciting attractions. Be sure to also experience the Gravity Max, which is the world’s first tilt coaster to feature a true 90-degree drop. Trust me, it’s terrifying yet incredibly thrilling.

And if you find yourself in need of a meal, make your way to the nearby Jyun En Japanese Cuisine restaurant located on the ground floor of the Fullon Hotel Lihpao Land. The space exudes a soothing Japanese ambiance, while its culinary experts possess impeccable techniques that guarantee a delightful dining experience. Additionally, Jyun En Japanese Cuisine holds a Halal certification, ensuring its suitability for Muslim patrons.

Beitou

Beitou Thermal Valley

The hot spring culture was introduced in Taiwan when Japan took over the country with the first hot spring spa built in Beitou in 1896, about a year after the occupation. Interestingly, Beitou was once known as ‘Peitou’, which derived from the term ‘paktaaw’ or ‘witch’ in the local aboriginal language. They named the area as such due to the overpowering scent of sulphur and the visible mist rising from the valley.

Today, this mountainous district continues to have one of the largest concentrations of hot springs and spas in the world. But before you proceed to one of the many bath houses, do drop by at the Beitou Thermal Valley, also infamously known as the Hell Valley, which is a free park with a natural hot spring pool where the water’s temperature runs from 80oC to 100oC. The water may be too hot for swimming, but the mystical mist emanating from the surface is surely an ethereal sight not to be missed. There is a well-maintained pathway around the lake for visitors to take a leisure stroll while admiring the surrounding beauty.

Beitou Hot Spring Museum

https://hotspringmuseum.taipei

The Beitou Hot Spring Museum sits in a beautiful, repurposed building with Japanese and European architectural influences. It initially served as a public bathhouse during the Japanese occupation and is said to be the largest bathhouse in East Asia at the time. Now it functions as a venue for exhibitions that highlight the history of Beitou and its hot springs, offering visitors a glimpse into the past through a collection of historical relics and old photographs. On the first floor, visitors can even admire the original Roman-styled baths with such elegant stained-glass windows.

Taoyuan City

Xpark Aquarium www.xpark.com.tw/english

If you love marine life, or travelling with children, then a visit to Xpark Aquarium is a must. It is an immersive aquatic wonderland teeming with vibrant life from the waters surrounding Taiwan and beyond. Expect to be blown away from the moment you enter the facility, as a huge tank awaits complete with graceful sea turtles, schools of colourful tropical fish and majestic hammerhead sharks dancing before your eyes.

But that’s not all. The aquarium reveals more exciting charms as you explore its three-storey floors, including the ‘Rainforest Adventure’ zone that mimics the tropical rain forests ecosystem, the ‘Abyss of the Sea’ zone that highlights the mysterious deep-sea creatures, and my personal favourite, the ‘Healing Jellyfish’ zone that shows a variety of jellyfishes with otherworldly glows. Before you leave, be sure to stop by at the café where you can enjoy light bites while witnessing playful penguins swimming around.

Previous page: The mystical steam that rises from the Beitou Thermal Valley’s hot spring evokes an ethereal spectacle

Taipei City

44 South Military Village

During the 1940s and 1950s, many Nationalist soldiers and their families from Mainland China relocated to Taiwan, leading to the establishment of military villages across the island. While many of these villages have been demolished over time, some have been preserved as cultural and historical sites.

One such site is the 44 South Village that was named after the 44th Arsenal of Tsingtao’s Combined Logistics Command and was the first military village built in Taipei. The houses now have been beautifully repurposed into an art centre, a store, and a café. The site also serves as a creative community centre for aspiring Taiwanese designers. Be sure to visit this place on Sundays as there will be a farmer’s market taking place where travellers can hunt local handmade souvenirs.

Vigor Kobo www.vigorkobo.com

This is a popular bakery specialising in traditional Taiwanese cakes and pastries with multiple outlets across the city. Their best-selling items, including pineapple and chestnut cakes, are renowned as Taiwan’s most sought-after souvenirs. In fact, some of the products are halal-certified, making them ideal for Muslim consumption. If you have time to spare, then elevate your experience by making your own pineapple cakes at the Chengtai Road’s outlet.

Taiwan At A Glance

• Taiwan is only a four-hour and a half flight away from Kuala Lumpur.

• Taiwan is in the same time zone as Malaysia.

• Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$ 100 = approximately RM15)

• Taiwan enjoys the four seasons climate. Winters in Taiwan are mild, while summers are hot and wet, with July through September being the period most prone to thunderstorms.

• Upon arrival at Taoyuan International Airport, travellers can opt for various transportation options to reach Taipei, including the Airport MRT, bus and taxi.

• The MRT system in Taipei is highly regarded as one of the world’s best metro systems. To use the MRT, it is advisable to obtain an EasyCard from any station or order one in advance. You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit and add the desired amount to the card.

• The EasyCard can also be used for buses and taxis within Taipei, ferries in Tamsui, and local buses in cities throughout the country.

• Taiwan has the one of the highest concentrations of convenience stores per capita in the world, only second to South Korea. More interestingly, some of the 7-Eleven stores feature unique themes, so be sure to check them out!

Gaya Travel Magazine extends our heartfelt gratitude to Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Malaysia for making the writer’s trip to Taiwan possible. Visit www.taiwan.net.my for more information regarding Taiwan.

WIN A HOLIDAY TRIP TO TAIWAN - A MUSLIM-FRIENDLY SENSATIONAL DESTINATION WITH AYDA JEBAT!

Taiwan Tourism Bureau has launched a contest that allows lucky fans to enjoy the opportunity to vacation at the Muslim-friendly Sensational Destination - Taiwan, with their beloved celebrity -Ayda Jebat!

This opportunity opens until 31st July 2023, will allow 2 lucky fans to enjoy a “Meet & Greet”session with Ayda Jebat and indulge in an exclusive dinner and explore the fascinating Muslim-friendly locations throughout their stay, for 5D4N!

The vacation opportunity with Ayda Jebat, held in conjunction with the Salam Taiwan 2023/2024 Campaign, is part of the planned activities by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau. Ayda Jebat was brought there to capture videos, photos, and most notably, a music video, showcasing the four unique aspects of Taiwan - Muslim-friendly, Romantic, Vibrant, and

Trending.

Ayda Jebat was announced as the Salam Taiwan Ambassador for a period of 18 months, starting from January 2023. During her first visit as part of the filming work, Ayda was taken to various exciting locations across Taiwan, based on the four pillars that make it a sensational tourist destination.

What’s fascinating about this contest is that no purchase is necessary!

You simply need to register on the official Salam Taiwan website and await a call from Taiwan Tourism Bureau if you are lucky and selected! It’s that easy! Just register on the official Salam Taiwan website and wait for our call if you are chosen to be one of the lucky winners!

TAIPEI - THE TRENDIEST & PERFECT SHOPPING DESTINATION!

Through the efforts of Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Malaysia, more and more Malaysians are discovering Taiwan as a shopping paradise, offering a wide range of options from luxury shopping centres to street markets. The following are some of the best shopping destinations in Taiwan:

» Shilin Night Market: Taipei’s largest and most popular market for stylish clothing, electronics, and delicious street food.

» Wu Fen Pu: Affordable wholesale market for clothing, accessories, and shoes, favored by locals and budget-conscious travelers.

» Ximending: Trendy area in Taipei with shops, restaurants, and cafes, perfect for middle-income tourists seeking fashionable clothing and accessories.

» East Metro Mall: Modern shopping center near Taipei City Hall featuring international brands, a cinema, and food court.

» Guanghua Market: Ideal for electronics and gadgets, offering a wide range of products, including computers and smartphones.

» Eslite Xin Yi: Popular bookstore and cultural center for book, music, and film enthusiasts.

» Taipei Crafts Promotion Centre: Onestop shop for Taiwanese crafts and souvenirs, including ceramics and jewelry.

» Underground Shopping Bazaar: Iconic bazaar beneath Longshan Temple, offering traditional

Chinese souvenirs.

» Taipei 101: Luxury shopping destination within the iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper, showcasing high-end brands and stunning city views.

» Core Pacific Living Mall: Luxury mall in Taipei’s financial district, featuring renowned brands favoured by Asian tourists.

In short, Taiwan offers a wide range of shopping options for all types of travellers, from street markets to luxury shopping centres. For budget-conscious travellers, Ximending and Wu Fen Pu are ideal destinations, while Core Pacific Living Mall is popular among Asian tourists.

Wherever you choose to shop in Taiwan, make sure to take advantage of the dutyfree shopping policy for tourists.

For more info, visit http://salamtaiwan.com

Salam Taiwan 2023 campaign is organized by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau in Malaysia to promote Taiwan as a Muslim-friendly destination for the people of Malaysia. In general, Taiwan’s advantages as a preferred holiday destination can be divided into 4 CATEGORIES:

» MUSLIM-FRIENDLY - Taiwan is recognized as an “Annual Inclusive Destination (non-OIC)” in the “Halal Tourism Award 2022” ceremony.

» ROMANTIC - The beauty of nature is combined with metropolitan sophistication, Taiwan is truly a paradise for those in love!

»“TRENDING” - As the “Heart of Asia,” Taiwan offers a variety of current and trendy attractions at attractive prices for travelers. There are various shopping destinations - all promising fashion, gadgets - even the latest toys!

»“VIBRANT” - Locations with unique architectural designs and colorful surroundings, unique cuisine available around the accommodations, a mist-shrouded livestock farm lifestyle, stunning sunrise views, a modern metropolitan lifestyle - a variety of exciting activities await everyone!

Want to see the travel diary of the Muslimfriendly Tourism Ambassador to Taiwan - Ayda Jebat and her partner - Nabil Mahir throughout Taiwan?

Watch the Salam Taiwan video on the official Taiwan Tourism Bureau YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@tbrockltaiwan_ tourism5829