๐ Waking Up in the Clouds of Cingjing
There’s something special about waking up in the mountains of Cingjing—cold air sneaking in through the window, soft mist outside, and the promise of a full day ahead.
A personal blog by Manchueta Sol, a proud Filipina who loves to eat, travel, and rest. A wanderer at heart, she explores new places near and far, seeking adventure and meaningful memories. While she enjoys traveling abroad, her heart always longs for home—the Philippines. Join her as she shares travel stories, local insights, food finds, and reflections from her journeys. One adventure at a time, she captures the beauty of travel and the warmth of coming home.
๐ Waking Up in the Clouds of Cingjing
There’s something special about waking up in the mountains of Cingjing—cold air sneaking in through the window, soft mist outside, and the promise of a full day ahead.
If you’re planning to explore central Taiwan — especially Taichung and the scenic mountain town of Xinshe — transportation can be a little tricky, but it’s definitely manageable with some planning! Whether you’re chasing lavender blooms, fairytale castles, or colorful flower festivals, here’s a guide to help you move around smoothly (plus a few personal tips from my own experience).
๐ Exploring Ximending Night Market — A Feast for the Senses ๐ก
One of the things I was most excited about during our Taiwan trip was visiting their night markets. Taiwan is famous for its vibrant night scene — streets filled with delicious food, trendy shops, and a lively mix of locals and tourists. Compared to the ones in Manila, theirs are cleaner, more organized, and packed with unique, mouthwatering street food.
Our next stop for the day was Xinshe Castle, also known as The Summit Resort, and honestly, I was extra excited about this one! From the photos I’d seen online, it looked absolutely magical — especially the waterfalls cascading beside the stone bridges. It took us about 30 minutes to get here from the Lavender Forest, and despite the rain, my excitement never wavered.
Our 2nd day in Taiwan was one of the most eventful. We had it all carefully planned — a full-day adventure from Cingjing to Xinshe, where we’d explore Lavender Cottage, Xinshe Castle, and the famous Xinshe Sea of Flowers Festival.
๐ธ Sea of Flowers in Xinshe — A Magical Ending to Our Day
When we left The Summit Resort (Xinshe Castle), it was already getting dark. By the time we arrived at the location of the Sea of Flowers, the festival grounds were quiet and partly wrapped in twilight mist. Even though we couldn’t explore everything, the moment felt surreal.
When we were planning our trip to Xinshe, we discovered that it’s actually easy to reach from Taichung City — whether you’re taking the train, bus, or even taxi. It’s one of those scenic routes where you can enjoy the countryside views before arriving at the beautiful flower farms and tourist attractions in Xinshe.
๐ฐ The Old England Manor – A Fairytale Hotel in the Clouds of Cingjing
When we were planning our Cingjing itinerary, I stumbled upon this stunning, castle-like hotel that looked straight out of a storybook — The Old England Manor. It’s just a few minutes away from the bed and breakfast we were staying at, and I immediately thought, “We have to stop by there for an afternoon snack!” ☕
๐️ First Day in Taiwan – Foggy Trails, Carton Meals & Chocolate Kindness
Since I can’t travel these days (thanks, pandemic ๐), I’ve been revisiting my past adventures and turning them into stories. Taiwan has always been one of my favorite countries, so here’s a little throwback to my very first day there—cold, foggy, funny, and sweet in every sense of the word.
After our foggy adventure at Cingjing Farm, we hopped on a bus and asked the driver to drop us off at the Small Swiss Garden in Mist Plaza. By the time we arrived, it was already late and dark, so we missed seeing the garden’s flowers and attractions in daylight. But that didn’t make our visit any less magical—we were greeted by twinkling LED light displays that lit up the misty night, creating a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere.