After a lot of searching—and plenty of back-and-forth coordination with my friend on where to stay in Taiwan—we finally agreed to book Just Sleep Hotel Ximending.
While my other two friends chose a different hotel, this one made sense for us. One major reason? Location. The hotel is just walking distance to Ximending Night Market, which was perfect because we already knew we’d be out late most nights exploring food stalls, shops, and the buzzing streets.
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.
After arriving at Mist Plaza, we were starving since we hadn’t had a proper meal since the airplane ride. We headed straight to Bee Pollen | Carton King Restaurant, right next to the Small Swiss Garden. Before ordering, we couldn’t help but wander around and admire the quirky carton displays inside the restaurant—everything from tables, chairs, lamps, and even decorations made entirely out of cardboard! It felt like stepping into a paper wonderland.
The beautiful Northern European atmosphere at the Small Swiss Garden has given it the name of “Taiwan’s Little Switzerland” and “Paradise in the Mist.” Surrounded by conveniences like Carton King, 7-Eleven, Mos Burger, and Starbucks, it’s a popular stop for travelers heading to Cingjing Farm or Hehuanshan.
Known as a “Foggy Eden” far away from the bustling city, Cingjing Farm in Nantou is a mountain paradise where visitors can enjoy fresh air, rolling green pastures, friendly farm animals, cherry blossoms in spring, and breathtaking starry skies at night.
When we traveled to Taiwan, our first stop was Cingjing, a scenic highland area in Nantou County. It’s quite a distance from Taipei, but I’ll say this upfront: Cingjing was the best spot we visited during that entire trip.
✨ Where Curiosity Turns Into Magic
Tucked between the lush paths of Adventureland and the rugged charm of Grizzly Gulch is Mystic Point—one of Hong Kong Disneyland’s most unique and intriguing lands.
This isn’t a place of loud thrills or familiar fairy tales.
It’s a place of curiosity, discovery, and quiet magic.
๐️ Even before stepping inside, Mystic Point feels like it’s holding secrets.
⏰ Why We Didn’t Fully Explore Mystic Point (This Time)
We had already spent so much of our day enjoying other attractions that by the time we reached this area, it was almost parade time—and that was something we didn’t want to miss. On top of that, it was already dinner time, and we knew we needed to eat before the parade started.
๐ฝ️ Priorities had to be set.
From the outside of the manor alone, I could already tell that this attraction would be fun and different. The building itself looked mysterious, elegant, and full of stories waiting to be told.
✨ Hopefully, when we visit Hong Kong Disneyland again, Mystic Point will finally get the time it deserves.
๐️ Mystic Manor: What Makes It So Special
At the heart of Mystic Point is Mystic Manor, an attraction exclusive to Hong Kong Disneyland—you won’t find this anywhere else in the world.
✨ What to Expect Inside Mystic Manor
๐ถ Instead of being scary, the ride is:
Each room has its own theme, music, and movement, making the experience feel like you’re inside a living museum gone delightfully wrong.
๐ก Why It’s Unique:
Mystic Manor replaces the traditional haunted-house concept with curiosity and
wonder—perfect even for kids and guests who don’t like scary rides.
๐ฟ Exploring Mystic Point (Beyond the Ride)
Even without riding, Mystic Point invites you to slow down.
๐ณ The surrounding gardens feature:
✨ It’s one of the calmest corners of the park—ideal between busy attractions.
๐ธ Best Photo Spots Around Mystic Point
๐ธ Don’t miss:
✨ Even from the outside, this land is incredibly photogenic.
๐จ๐ฉ๐ง๐ฆ Is Mystic Point Family-Friendly?
Very much so.
๐ง Many kids end up loving Albert the monkey most of all.
๐ Updates to Know (2025–2026)
๐ก Tips for Your Next Mystic Point Visit
✔ Schedule this before dinner or
parade time
✔ Don’t
judge the ride just by the exterior
✔ Take time to explore the gardens
✔ Ride it twice if you can—there’s
a lot to notice
๐ A Story Waiting for Next Time
Sometimes, the best part of travel is knowing there’s still something left to discover.
Even though we didn’t fully experience Mystic Point on this visit, it left a strong impression—quietly promising that next time will be different.
๐ฎ Some magic doesn’t
rush.
It waits patiently for the right moment.
๐ฟ Lakwatserang Ligaw Quote
๐“Some stories don’t unfold all at once—they wait, knowing we’ll come back when we’re ready to listen.”๐ซ
✨ Exploring Hong Kong Disneyland?
Don’t skip Mystic Point. Step inside the manor, wander the gardens, and let yourself be surprised. Save this guide and share it with a travel buddy who loves clever storytelling and hidden magic.
๐งญ Next Stop: Toy
Story Land ๐ค ๐
Where everything is larger than life—and you’re toy-sized!
✨ Where Storybooks Come Alive
If Main Street, U.S.A. feels like a warm welcome, Fantasyland feels like stepping straight into a dream.
This is where fairy tales breathe, elephants fly, teacups spin, and childhood stories unfold right before your eyes. It’s colorful, whimsical, and full of gentle magic—the heart of Hong Kong Disneyland.
๐ฐ Whether you’re five or fifty-five, Fantasyland has a way of making you believe again.
✨ Into the Heart of the Jungle
If Tomorrowland is about speed and the future, Adventureland invites you to slow down—and listen.
During our visit to Hong Kong Disneyland, I honestly think we spent the longest time in Adventureland. There was something about it that felt different from the rest of the park. It wasn’t flashy or futuristic—it was immersive, mysterious, and full of stories waiting to be discovered.
๐ด Among all the lands,
Adventureland felt the most alive.
.png)
