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.
Before our trip, I already arranged a shuttle deal with the Xinshe Tour Bus that would take us from Xinshe Post Office to these destinations. Since we’d also booked a private car from Cingjing to Taichung Station, all we had to think about was how to get from the station to Xinshe Post Office.
๐ From Taichung Station to Xinshe
Most major stations in Taiwan have storage lockers, so you don’t need to carry all your luggage if you plan to explore. After our driver dropped us off at Taichung Station, we went straight to the lockers to leave our bags.
We probably looked like obvious tourists (well, we were ๐ ) because while we were storing our things, a taxi driver approached us and offered his service. It turned out to be a blessing! I made sure he was legit and negotiated the fare. For a NT$1,300 ride for four people, it was a fair deal considering how far Xinshe was.
The plan was to get dropped off at Xinshe Post Office for our shuttle pickup. The drive took about 1 hour and 30 minutes — scenic and peaceful.
But when we arrived, there was a problem…
๐ฑ Shuttle Service Cancelled?!
We looked around, waiting for our scheduled bus, but couldn’t see any shuttle. Locals told us it was cancelled that day — without any notice!
The taxi driver had already left, and we couldn’t find another car or taxi nearby. I could feel the panic setting in.
So I called the number on their website, hoping someone would answer — and thankfully, someone did. They confirmed the cancellation but were very apologetic. When I explained that we were already at the post office, they kindly sent a van to bring us to our destinations!
Even the locals tried to help us while waiting. I was touched — Taiwanese people are truly kind and always ready to lend a hand. ๐
After about 5 minutes, the van arrived, and we were finally on our way to our first stop — the Lavender Cottage (also known as Lavender Forest).
๐ฟ Welcome to Lavender Cottage (Lavender Forest)
The drive from Xinshe Post Office took about an hour. When we arrived, it started raining again — and coming from a tropical country with no snow, it felt really cold! Good thing we were dressed warmly, and one of my friends even had her umbrella ready.
Even with the drizzle, the forest was beautiful. It felt magical — a world of mist, trees, and the faint scent of lavender in the air.
๐ The Story of Lavender Cottage
The story of Lavender Cottage began in late autumn of 2001, when two friends, Grace and Tiffany, left the city to pursue a simple dream: to plant lavender and build a small coffee shop in the mountains.
Their passion turned into a thriving sanctuary of peace and beauty, where visitors could reconnect with nature, enjoy fresh mountain air, and rediscover happiness through simplicity.
Over the years, they transformed barren betel nut land into a lush forest of over 8,000 trees, nurturing sustainability and promoting green tourism in Taiwan.
Their motto, “Embrace beauty; happiness blossoms from the heart,” perfectly captures what Lavender Cottage stands for — a gentle, healing escape from the world.
☕ Lunch with a View
After wandering through the misty forest, we headed to the restaurant inside the cottage for lunch. The dining area has two sections — one cozy and sheltered, and another overlooking the lavender fields. Of course, we chose the one with the garden view! ๐ธ
We shared several dishes to try different flavors, and for drinks, we ordered a hot pot of Mint & Lemongrass Tea — perfect for the chilly weather. (They also offer a Lavender Tea, which I’ll definitely try next time!)
The warm food, the cool mountain air, and the scent of lavender all around made it such a comforting experience.
๐️ Lavender-Themed Souvenirs
After lunch, we explored the trails again and ended up at the gift shop. The moment I stepped in, I was surrounded by the calming scent of lavender. ๐
They sell handmade soaps, essential oils, lotions, and other products — all made from real lavender grown on-site. I wish I’d bought more souvenirs because the quality and scent were absolutely divine!
๐ธ Things to Do at Lavender Cottage
๐ฟ Explore the Lavender
Fields – Walk among the aromatic blooms and take postcard-worthy photos.
☕
Dine at the Lavender Restaurant – Try lavender-infused dishes and teas.
๐จ
Join a Workshop – Take part in their Hydrosol or Herbal Senses classes
to learn how to make natural products.
๐ง
Experience Forest Yoga – Book a 2-day Forest Yoga Retreat through Esence
Travel Agency.
๐
Shop Local Products – Support sustainable and eco-friendly lavender
items made by local artisans.
๐ก Travel Tips
๐ธ Best Time to Visit:
January to March (Lavender bloom season).
๐ง️
Bring a Jacket & Umbrella: It can get cold and misty, especially
when it rains.
๐ธ
Photo Tip: Early morning or late afternoon has the best light for
photography.
- By train: Take HSR or TRA to Taichung Station, then a taxi (60–90 mins).
- By car: Eco-friendly vehicles are welcome, and charging stations are available on-site.
๐ Visitor Information
๐ Address: No. 20,
Zhongxing St., Xinshe Dist., Taichung City, Taiwan
๐
Phone: +886-4-2593-1066
๐
Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closed during typhoons or heavy rain)
๐ป
Website: www.lavendercottage.com.tw
๐ฟ Workshops:
Hydrosol
Class
Herbal Senses Class
✨Despite the rainy weather and the unexpected shuttle cancellation, Lavender Cottage turned out to be one of my favorite places in Taiwan. There’s something deeply soothing about being surrounded by trees, mist, and the scent of lavender.
It’s more than just a tourist spot — it’s a place that slows you down and reminds you to breathe. I’ll always remember the kindness of the locals, the calm of the forest, and the peaceful lunch that made this visit so special.
๐ฌ Planning your Xinshe itinerary? Don’t miss Lavender Cottage (Lavender Forest) — where dreams bloom purple and time stands still. ๐ธ
Tag me if you’ve visited or share your favorite lavender memories in Taiwan! ๐
#LavenderCottage #LavenderForest #XinsheTaichung #TaiwanTravel #EcoTourism #LavenderFields #TaiwanItinerary #TaichungAttractions #TravelDiaries #MenchuTravels #TravelBlogPH #TaiwanNature #SlowTravel #TravelAsia #MountainCafe #SustainableTravel #LavenderLove #TravelWithHeart #ExploreTaiwan #PurpleParadise
.png)
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for reading! Please share and like my Facebook page :)