This time around, I embarked on a delightful two-day, one-night escapade to Liugui, Kaohsiung, setting off from the Zuoying High-Speed Rail Station. What renowned attractions await in this alluring locale? Allow me to be your guide through this "Laid-Back Guide to Liugui" itinerary!
Here's how our leisurely two-day, one-night Liugui adventure unfolds:
A visit to Kaohsiung is incomplete without experiencing the charm of Meinong and its Hakka culture. In addition to the famous Meinong oil-paper umbrellas and Hakka pounded tea, this southern Hakka enclave offers an authentic taste of Hakka cuisine.
In this nostalgic place, you can immerse yourself in the richness of Hakka heritage, witnessing firsthand the intricate art of hand-painting oil-paper umbrellas and savoring a variety of Hakka culinary delights, including Hakka flat rice noodles and local delicacies. After indulging in a flavorful meal, you can even participate in the tradition of making Hakka pounded tea. Here, you will embark on a rich and intellectually stimulating journey into Hakka culture.
Inside the reserve area, professional guides provide ecological explanations. As the area consists of rocky layers, there may be occasional falling rocks. Before entering the No. 6 tunnel for exploration, we are provided with safety helmets. If you're visiting Liugui, be sure to explore the No. 6 Tunnel—it's a must-visit!
The Eighteen Arhats Mountain Nature Reserve is composed of over 40 small and large conical mountains, resembling flames. Aptly known as the Liugui Flame Mountain, the Eighteen Arhats Mountain stands as a majestic guardian over the Liugui area.
Did you know that Aiyu (Ficus pumila) is rich in dietary fiber? Once you learn the story behind Aiyu, you'll realize just how precious it is!
At the Qingbo Aiyu Farm in Liugui, Kaohsiung, you'll have the opportunity to unravel the intricate love story between Aiyu and the fig wasp. Here, you can immerse yourself in the hands-on experience of washing Aiyu seeds and crafting deliciously chewy Aiyu jelly
The fig wasp story unfolds like this: Aiyu belongs to the dioecious family of plants, meaning male and female reproductive organs exist on separate plants. After mating within the fruit of the male flowers, the female fig wasps emerge and fly to the next male flower to lay their eggs or to the female flower to deposit pollen, facilitating pollination. Once pollinated, the female flower's fruit expands, producing the very seeds that serve as the raw materials for making the beloved Aiyu jelly.
Mr. Wu Qingbo, the owner of the farm, was once a pesticide merchant. After retiring, he has dedicated himself to maintaining this two-hectare Aiyu farm, preserving its invaluable ecology. This pesticide-free organic farm cultivates a truly natural landscape, with the Miaoli No. 1 variety of Aiyu being grown here – the first Aiyu variety in Taiwan to obtain plant variety rights. Let's embark on an adventure to Qingbo Aiyu Farm together!
The white bubbles you see are enzymes! After continuous washing for about 10 minutes, the Aiyu fruit gel has been extracted, and its color has turned into this tea-like brown hue.
A must-visit attraction in Liugui is the Rainbow Mountain Liugui Giant Buddha. This majestic seven-story-tall Buddha statue began construction in 2000 and took 15 years to complete. Climbing up to the Buddha temple, you can also enjoy a distant view of the mountain scenery. The gigantic Buddha hand is also a popular check-in spot. Let's check it out together!
There’s a story about the gigantic Buddha hand. During the construction of the Buddha statue in 2002, a worker named Mr. Jiang accidentally fell from the Buddha’s head to its hand, a staggering height of approximately six floors. Miraculously, he fully recovered without any injuries. To commemorate this miraculous event, the Buddha hand seat was specially designed, with the hope that everyone can enjoy good health and have all their wishes come true!
In Liugui, Kaohsiung, there's a hidden gem called the Shunfa Tea Garden, home to Taiwan's only native species of mountain tea.
Taiwan's native mountain tea is mainly found in the mountainous areas south of Nantou. Liugui in Kaohsiung is currently the most important production area for Taiwan's native tea. Classified as a wild tree variety rather than a cultivated bush, the Liugui mountain tea belongs to the Camellia genus. Its distinct charm lies in its pesticide-free cultivation and extremely low caffeine content, making it a great option for those who struggle with sleeplessness after consuming tea.
Unlike conventional tea bushes that allow for multiple harvests per year, the native wild tea can only be picked once annually, adding to its rarity. The harvesting window falls between late April and May, with yields further diminished by natural disasters and pest infestations, rendering this tea an even more precious commodity.
When it comes to local cuisine in Liugui, the go-to destination is undoubtedly the Bulao Hot Springs. But which restaurant comes highly recommended by locals?
The answer is Meishan Restaurant, formerly known as Meilunshan Restaurant. This 30-year-old eatery is helmed by Chef Chen Anfeng, who previously worked at the renowned Grand Hi-Lai Hotel. After returning to his roots, he has injected Meishan's menu with a fresh array of dishes, expertly crafted using locally-sourced, seasonal produce, to ensure that travelers who come to Liugui for hot springs can enjoy a variety of delicious dishes.
The Bulao Hot Springs area in Liugui houses several hot spring resorts and hotels, and a visit to this area would be incomplete without indulging in the therapeutic waters - an experience not to be missed!
This time, I’ll showcase the Meilunshan Hotspring Resort, which offers standalone log cabin accommodations and a Japanese-style open-air SPA facility constructed with wood. The spring water is a hydrogen carbonate salt spring, with a source temperature of around 45°C. The mildly alkaline carbonated water is affectionately referred to as the "Beauty Bath."
The entire Meilunshan Hotspring Resort is constructed using Canadian cedar and Japanese cypress. The resort boasts 20 guest rooms across 12 distinct themed designs, each with a private hot spring bath. Guests can also choose to soak in the open-air hot spring baths.
On this trip to Liugui, Kaohsiung, I was excited to see if my itinerary included the hiking adventure I always crave. Yes, it does! That is the Meilunshan Hiking Trail, where you can enjoy hiking and trekking.
Meilunshan is located within the Maolin Scenic Area, at the border of Liugui and Taoyuan in Kaohsiung. The trail is approximately 5.7 kilometers long, with an elevation of 1,350 meters above sea level. It features a Class 3 triangulation station and a forest mountain triangulation point. The trailhead is located in the Bulao Hot Springs area and the trail passes by Ciyou Temple and two observation decks. Along the way, you'll also encounter tea processing plants, tea gardens, and plum orchards. Besides enjoying the panoramic views of the Bulao Hot Springs area and the Laonong River Valley from the trail, you also get to admire the mountains along the Southern Cross-Island Highway in the distance.
Here, one can savor a variety of exquisite herb-infused and wild plant-based delicacies. Through the skillful hands of Chef Mr. Chen Bocheng, who meticulously crafts an omakase menu, every bite you taste is a toxin-free, organic delight.
Qingyixuan Garden-style Restaurant operates on a reservation-only basis and has its own Qingyixuan Happiness Organic Farm, which cultivates a vibrant assortment of seasonal vegetables, fruits, and herbs to provide ingredients for the restaurant's dishes. Guests can indulge in the freshest produce and a variety of homemade dishes here!
A visit to Liugui, Kaohsiung, would be incomplete without indulging in the hot springs of Baolai. This time, I'm sharing with you the Mountain Moon Hot Spring Camping Area in the Baolai hot spring area - an absolute must-visit for hot spring enthusiasts!
In 2009, the Baolai area's hot spring sources were severely impacted by the Morakot Typhoon. However, in 2017, a hot spring well was successfully drilled behind Baolai Junior High School, and the revitalizing waters were directed into the Baolai Flower Park and Hot Springs. With a water temperature of around 52°C and a mildly alkaline pH of 7.2, these hydrogen carbonated hydrogen springs boast a clear, odorless quality. Soaking in the springs will leave your skin silky-smooth and rejuvenated, earning it the reputation of "beauty bath."
The Baolai Flower Park and Hot Springs covers an area of 5.4 hectares and is adorned with approximately 1370 flowering trees, creating a beautiful floral landscape all year round. The park also cultivates around 800 pink shower trees, so seize the chance to visit here during the blooming season!
Soaking in the "beauty bath" of the Baolai Flower Park and Hot Springs is incredibly relaxing. As you chat with people while soaking in the hot spring, you'll find that time flies by in the joyful moments of hot spring experience!
Diyuan Temple in the Butterfly Valley, a branch of Yuanzhao Temple, is situated facing the Laonong River, the second largest river in Taiwan, and surrounded by layers of mountains. With its excellent geographical position and panoramic views, it offers a serene atmosphere.
The main hall of Diyuan Temple enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. The temple's grandiose palatial architecture seamlessly blends traditional and innovative elements. The mural reliefs adorning the walls of the main hall are a remarkable collaboration by master artisans from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, meticulously crafted with different colors of Qingtian jade. The Reclining Buddha Hall houses Southeast Asia's largest reclining Buddha statue, masterfully carved from camphor wood.
Outside the temple, there are 500 meticulously carved arhat statues made of Qingdou stone, which are truly magnificent. The on-site Art Gallery and Art Museum also periodically showcase works by lay Buddhists and professors. For those with an appreciation for religious art and culture, do not miss this attraction in Liugui!
Have you noticed the incredible array of unique ecological attractions that Liugui, Kaohsiung has to offer? From hot springs and religious sites to local agricultural gems like Aiyu and mountain tea, this region is a true treasure trove waiting to be explored. It's the perfect destination for those seeking a leisurely journey that harmoniously blends hot springs, delicacies, and culturally enriching experiences. Join me on an unforgettable journey!
Before we bid farewell, allow me to recap the highlights of my recommended two-day Liugui itinerary. Feel free to bookmark these Liugui gems. Wishing you all safe and enjoyable travels!