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.
Even though we were exhausted from the previous day’s adventure, we still woke up early. That’s the thing about traveling—the excitement always beats the exhaustion.
๐ค The bed at Spring Ground B&B was so comfortable, and thank goodness for the room heater—it felt like sleeping inside a warm cocoon after a long, foggy day at Cingjing Farm.
Our planned wake-up call was at 5:00 AM, but in reality, it was closer to six. ๐ I woke up first, jumped into the shower, and started doing my hair and makeup while my friends took turns with the single bathroom—typical group travel dynamics!
By the time we were all ready, it was a bit past six. Our driver hadn’t arrived yet, so we wandered around the Spring Ground B&B, exploring what we missed the night before. It felt peaceful—mist lingering over the gardens, the scent of fresh pine, and that sense of calm you only get in mountain towns.
Breakfast was simple yet hearty. The buffet spread had local Taiwanese dishes and a few familiar options. Some food looked unfamiliar, but curiosity gave way to comfort—I chose what I recognized, then later regretted not being adventurous enough! ๐
๐ The dining hall was cozy and welcoming. There was even a small workout area, though honestly, we got enough cardio walking up and down Cingjing’s slopes.
๐ก Travel Tip: Don’t skip breakfast here! It’s included in your stay and a nice energy boost for a long travel day ahead.
๐ Read more about our stay at Spring Ground B&B here >>
While waiting for our driver, we walked outside and found ourselves standing in front of Old England Manor, one of Cingjing’s most photogenic landmarks.
With its Victorian architecture, stone towers, and charming clock, it truly looked like a castle from a storybook. Unfortunately, it was still closed that early in the morning, but that didn’t stop us from snapping a dozen pictures from the outside! ๐ธ
๐ก Update (2025): Old England Manor is still open for afternoon tea and overnight stays, but booking ahead is a must. Please visit their website here >>
๐ Read more about Old England Manor here >>
๐ 7:45 AM – Road Trip to Taichung
Our driver finally arrived just as we were taking our last photos. We loaded our bags and began the drive back to Taichung Station. The fog was thick that morning, wrapping the mountains in white, and the temperature hovered around 13°C.
Despite the chill, I loved that part—quiet, calm, and full of anticipation for the next leg of our journey.
๐ 9:15 AM – Luggage Drop & Lucky Taxi Encounter
At Taichung Station, we left our luggage in the lockers so we could explore freely. While figuring out our route to Xinshe, a kind local offered us a private taxi for NT$1,300.
We decided to go for it—and honestly, it was one of the best decisions of the day. It saved us from multiple transfers and confusion, and we got to enjoy the scenery comfortably.
๐ก Travel Tip: If you’re heading to Lavender Cottage or Xinshe Castle, hire a driver for the day. The attractions are far apart and not well-connected by public transport.
๐ Read more about getting around Taichung and Xinshe here >>
๐ฎ 10:55 AM – The Panic at Zhongxingling Post Office
Here’s where things got interesting. We arrived at Zhongxingling Post Office, where we were supposed to catch our Xinshe shuttle bus—only to find out the tour was cancelled! ๐จ
I called the company, trying to explain in broken Mandarin and English, and thankfully, they were so accommodating. Within five minutes, a van came to pick us up. That’s one thing I truly love about Taiwan—the kindness of strangers.
When we arrived at Lavender Cottage or Lavender Forest, it was raining again! Only one of us had an umbrella, and thankfully, we borrowed another from the Sweet Grass House, their main gift shop. I just pulled up my hoodie while one of my friends wore a hat — we were good to go.
Even with the drizzle, the place looked magical. Paths lined with colorful blooms, lavender scents floating in the air, and the peaceful sound of raindrops hitting the leaves.
It’s hard to describe how relaxing it felt—it was like the whole world slowed down for a moment.
From the Grass House, we followed the winding path that led to the garden filled with colorful blooms and trees. We also passed by the herbal garden, which smelled absolutely divine — especially the mint! ๐ฟ
The cottage’s restaurant offers meals, many with a Lavender infusion. The dining area has two sections: one for guests seeking privacy in a cozy sheltered spot, and another overlooking the gardens. We chose the latter — who could resist that view? ๐ธ
We ordered a few dishes to share so we could taste a bit of everything, and of course, a pot of hot tea (perfect for the rainy weather). The popular Lavender Tea tempted us, but we went with Mint & Lemongrass Tea instead — so soothing!
๐ฐ Entrance Fee:
NT$100 (consumable, deductible from your total bill)
๐ต
Tip: Try their lavender ice cream or lavender milk tea when the
weather’s warm!
After lunch, we continued exploring. The Lavender fields were just starting to bloom — not quite in full color yet, but still breathtaking. We walked the forest trails, breathing in the fresh, cool mountain air, and ended up at the gift shop.
The moment I stepped inside, I was enveloped by the calming scent of lavender. ๐ They sell everything from essential oils and soaps to handmade souvenirs — all genuinely made from real lavender. Looking back, I wish I’d bought more!
๐ Read more about Lavender Cottage and its forest gardens here >>
๐ 2:40 PM – Travel from Lavender Cottage to Xinshe (Summit) Castle
After a while, we met our driver who was waiting to take us to our next destination — Xinshe Castle (The Summit Resort), included as part of our tour package. It started raining again, but that didn’t dampen our spirits. I was still so excited to see what awaited us next! ๐ง️
Next stop: Xinshe Castle, also known as The Summit Resort. The mist and rain made the castle look like something out of a fairytale — stone bridges, gothic towers, and lush gardens wrapped in fog.
As we explored, I realized I had left the case of my Nikon camera back at one of the cottages! ๐ฑ My heart dropped, but when I ran back after a few minutes, it was still there, untouched. That small act of honesty reminded me once again how kind and trustworthy the people in Taiwan are. ๐
We continued wandering around the gardens, taking photos and enjoying the quiet, romantic atmosphere.
๐ก Travel Tip:
Bring a raincoat instead of an umbrella — easier to move and take photos!
๐ธ
Fun Fact: The castle is a popular pre-wedding shoot location because of
its European-style architecture.
๐ Read more about Xinshe Castle (The Summit Resort) here >>
๐ธ 5:15 PM – Travel from Xinshe Castle to Sea of Flowers Festival
When we left The Summit Castle, it wasn’t dark yet, so we decided to make one last stop for the day — the Sea of Flowers Festival. It was just a 15-minute drive, and our driver happily agreed to take us there before heading back.
When we arrived, I was in awe. The Sea of Flowers was true to its name — a vast blanket of colorful blooms stretching as far as the eye could see. Even though the sun was setting, the fields were glowing under the soft golden light.
We strolled through rows of flowers, took countless photos, and laughed as the wind played with our hair. The festival was lively but peaceful — families, locals, and tourists all enjoying the view together.
It was the perfect ending to a long but beautiful day — from fog and rain to a sea of colors. ๐ฆ️
๐บ Tip: Visit from November to early December when the festival is in full bloom. Bring a light jacket — it gets chilly by sundown!
๐ Read more about the Xinshe Sea of Flowers Festival here >>
๐ 6:15 PM – Travel from Xinshe to Taichung
We arrived around 7:00 PM, tired but happy after such a full day. We picked up our luggage and headed to our next accommodation.
๐จ 9:00 PM – Check-In at Just Sleep Hotel Ximending
By the time we arrived at Just Sleep Hotel Ximending, we were exhausted but excited for the next part of our trip. The hotel was lovely — clean, cozy, and conveniently located. Two of my friends were staying at a different hotel nearby, so we planned to meet them later for a quick night market stroll.
๐ Read more about Just Sleep Hotel Ximending here >>
๐ 10:00 PM – Walking to
Ximending Night Market
After a short rest, we were ready for more adventures! I’d been looking forward to visiting Ximending Night Market since we planned this trip. Back then, milk tea and Taiwanese Hotstar chicken weren’t that popular in the Philippines yet, so I was eager to try them right at the source! ๐ง๐
Some dishes were just okay, but others — like the fried chicken — were absolutely worth the hype. We walked, laughed, and ate until our hands were full of snacks and souvenirs.
๐ Read more about what to eat and shop at Ximending Night Market here >>
๐ 12:30 AM – Back to the Hotel | Bedtime
We finally returned to the hotel past midnight, full and content. Despite our tiredness, we couldn’t stop smiling. Day 2 was long, wet, and chilly — but also magical, spontaneous, and full of laughter.
๐งญ Travel Tips
✔️ Bring layered clothes—it gets
chilly in Cingjing and Xinshe even in spring.
✔️
Keep an umbrella or raincoat handy—weather changes fast!
✔️
Buy lavender products directly from Lavender Cottage—they’re authentic and
affordable.
✔️
Save Ximending for the evening when it’s liveliest.
✔️
Always have cash (NT$) for food stalls and smaller attractions.
✔️
Hire a local driver or join a small tour for convenience and flexibility.
๐ฌ Even with the rain, the delays, and the unexpected twists, this was one of my favorite days in Taiwan. It reminded me that sometimes, the best memories come from moments that don’t go as planned—laughing under one umbrella, sipping hot tea in the cold, and discovering beauty in the fog.
Traveling isn’t just about checking off destinations—it’s about the warmth, kindness, and surprises along the way. ๐
Check out my other Taiwandering Four Posts:
๐ TaiwanDering Four Day
1: Cingjing Farm | Small Swiss Garden | Bee Pollen | Carton King Shop &
Restaurant
#Taiwandering #Cingjing #LavenderCottage #XinsheCastle #SeaOfFlowers #XimendingNightMarket #TaiwanTravel #TravelDiaries #ExploreTaiwan #FoodieTravel #TravelAsia
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