The Lotong River Leisure Agricultural Area

The artesian flow, fragrant lotus, and lotus flower picking in the light of the early morning sun is the perfect experience that provides visitors with a comfortable and joyful feeling. Stroll along the lotus pond, enjoy life, and better experience the wonderfulness of nature.

Nourished by the bubbling of the spring from the Xueshan Range, the Lotong River Leisure Agricultural Area in Yilan Luodong Township has become a cherished place for cultivating lotus, appreciating lotus flowers, and relishing lotus dishes. The native farmers used to plant lotus during earlier periods. However, since lotus flowers are difficult to manage, the plant was replaced by the aromatic, elegant water lily because of their easy management and care. Combined with agricultural recreation, the lotus tourism economy has, therefore, developed well. The lotus fields in the Lotong River Leisure Agricultural Area present the most charming floral scene formed with views of the lovely white lotus and glamorous red lotus every summer. The most beautiful moments in the area particularly occur under the light of early dawn in the morning when the diverse, colorful lotus flowers slowly bloom.

The ecological footprint of the flowers that are full of romance and intellect is certainly alluring. To learn more about water lilies, visitors must participate in the “discovering the pleasure and happiness of lotus picking” tour provided by the visitor information center of the Lotong River Leisure Agricultural Area. Gaining fruitful results from this trip is guaranteed. Mutually organized by the “Yupin Lian Leisure Farm” from the local area, this is a reservation-based tour in which visitors are required to sign up for in advance. Led by a professional docent, the participants will put on their frog suits, go into the fields to pick lotus flowers, and quench their thirst with the floral water that is provided by the flowers to experience the charm of the “morning plant water and the lasting youthfulness”.
Upon finishing the lotus picking, the participants are invited to sample a cup of lotus-flavored coffee, purchase gifts such as lotus-flavored egg rolls and lotus-scented tea, and enjoy the lotus hotpot whose broth is cooked and made with lotus flowers at the Yupin Lian Tourist Center. The pleasant, fragrant taste of the lotus flower is apparent in every bite while savoring the hotpot dish.

Participate in the exciting event of the “Green Energy and Eco-friendly Farm’s “half-day rural experience program” of food and agricultural education held by the visitor information center of the Lotong River Leisure Agricultural Area, in which is also the common activity space where many kinds of organic vegetables are planted by the local residents according to the different seasons. Inside the farm, the organic vegetable gardens are operated and cultivated by diverse B&B and catering members of the Pei Cheng Community in the Lotong River Leisure Agricultural Area. The harvested vegetables are the source of ingredients in the food served by residences and, thus, the visitors can enjoy the palatable taste of organic healthy breakfasts made with the “in-season native ingredients”. The half-day rural program provided by the farm is available in winter and spring. Led by a professional docent, the crops and ecology of the farm are fully introduced and explained. Apart from learning how to grow vegetables and rake the soil under the guidance of the instructor, the participants can also take the organic vegetables produced by the farm home.

Devoted to promoting organic farming, the owner of the Guan Lian Waterlily Organic Farm, Chen Hui Guan, has planted fields of many kinds of lotus flowers and waterlilies covering an area of over 1 hectare and offers all kinds of related products. Guan Lian created an eco-friendly environment that is suitable for growing lotus flowers using the biological chain mechanism of nature. The water quality of the spring in the lotus field is clear and free from pollution. While conservation of biodiversity is made possible, fish, shrimps, dragonflies, aquatic insects, herons, migrant birds, water hens, and frogs can be seen playing in the lotus field at all times.

In front of the gate of the “Yue Ya Guan Homestay” is a large lotus field that allows visitors to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the lotus field by the window.
Skillfully and cleverly decorated, endearing illustrations and decorations are specifically arranged on the walls and in the corners of the homestay space so that every detail is stunning and eye-catching. Tourists that visit and spend their holidays here are suggested to go bicycle riding and visit the nearby lotus pond since free bikes are provided by Yue Ya Guan for all the B&B guests for an elegant flower viewing holiday.

Previously the nursery farm for breeding pigs, the “Guang Shing Farm” transformed and developed into a leisure farm after experiencing the domestic epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease. The small ponds, wooden chairs and tables, terraces, and gazebos were built by the farm owner’s great-grandfather, Ceng, with his own hands. The rustic savor and atmosphere of the Lanyang Plain are condensed inside the farm, allowing urban tourists to explore the traditional country life of Yilan County. Activities such as earth oven cooking, clam touching, and washing pants is suitable for the entire family to have fun together while parents can also show off their talent for earth oven cooking and clam touching while the kids experience the happiest moments of their parents’ childhood and get acquainted with the adorable animals such as pigs, sheep, chickens, and rabbits.

To purchase souvenirs and gifts for friends and family when visiting Lotong, the “Yilan Tourism Factory (Lotong Farmers’ Association Yang Sheng Tourist Factory)” is a good choice. There are two well-received homemade products of the Lotong Township Farmers’ Association, including the preserved eggs and health-preserving soymilk that are recognized as the two items that possess the most traditional flavor of Yilan. Since its long production history, the vital nourishing drink has accompanied the Yilan people for half a century. Referred to as “the county milk of Yilan” by Yilan people, this product is made with pure soybeans and crystal sugar without adding chemical agents, emulsifiers, and antifoaming agents. Bean precipitation can be seen in the soymilk bottle that locals always shake thoroughly before savoring it. It is a nutritional drink that the residents of Yilan have been drinking since their childhood. As for the healthy preserved eggs, the lead-free food that excludes the harm from heavy metals are a highly desirable promoted product.