Hudong Leisure Agricultural Area

Teemed with lower mountains and hills, the ambit of Hudong Leisure Agricultural Area covers almost the entire territory of Miaoli Xihu Township. Hakka residents tended to live out a simple country life on growing pomelo, rice, white shaddock and citrus plants in the past. In recent years this solitary natural rurality has begun taking initiative in sharing the beauty of Xihu with all visitors through organic farming, recreational farming and fruit picking experience as it is gradually discovered by the outsiders.

As the sightseeing spots of Hudong fall scattered on different county highways, “Xingfu Xiaozhan (Happiness Stop)” is established to provide guidance and travel information for the tourists. Located at the front gate of Xihu on “Dianzai Street”, “Xingfu Xiaozhan (Happiness Stop)” is not only the information station of Hudong but also the display window that exhibits and sells agricultural specialties produced by the members of Hudong Leisure Agricultural Area. The three guided itineraries designed by the young, enthusiastic service staff lead visitors to every must-eat, must-see and must-visit attraction in Xihu by riding an eco-friendly electric shuttle cart. The reservation-based experience programs launched during these days, for example visitors are allowed to harvest dragon fruits in the orchard as well as making dragon fruit mochi using dragon fruits and frozen sweet potatoes from Xihu by partaking in “dragon fruit farming experience”. For more information of Xingfu Xiaozhan (Happiness Stop), visitors are welcome to refer to “Xihu．Happiness．Short trip(西湖．幸福 小旅行)” fan page on Facebook at any time.

Driving along Miaoli County Highway No. 28 before arriving at Ma Ma Tien’s restaurant “secret garden” in the deepest part of the mountain is as interesting and charming as exploring the secrets of seclusion. Originally engaged in production of flowers and plants, Cheng, Hsin-Jung and Hsu, Li-Hua couple, the owner of the garden, tried to integrate the existing resources in the surrounding area and develop recreational agriculture. The set meals served at Secret Garden mostly adopt native ingredients; for instance the celebrated dish “Shulaibao”, which is made with anka wrapped in the sweet potatoes from Xihu. Other characteristic dishes include pickles made with Xihu’s pomelo, coffee, and the sweet and refreshing golden apples. The creative DIY programs developed by Secret Garden is highly praised and appreciated as well. Hsu, Li-Hua peels off the fruit of areca and combs the remaining fiber into a wizard hat. Together with the handmade inventions of “little wizard charm” and “magic potted plant”, the garden has obtained a reputation of “the home of Harry Potter”.

Peng, Yi-Fang, the owner of “Yi Farm” has been planting fruit trees for more than 40 years. The farm was formerly established at the upper reaches of Long Dong River before converted into a tourist orchard. During the fruit picking season from every August to the following February, dozens of fruits including longan, pomelo, white shaddock, navel orange and sanboken mellow one after another, and the sound of admiration or exclamations such as “So many fruits! Super delicious! Extremely special!” can be heard across the orchard in a distance from time to time. The hospitable papa Peng even puts up trails where osmanthus flowers are planted all over so that the visitors can wander among the mountain forests. Meals served at the farm are also available for reservation. Yi Farm makes Hakka flavorful dishes using locally grown vegetables, fruits and free range chickens. Dishes like stir-fried sanboken with black pork and sticky rice made with dried longan are well-received.

Attracted toward the simple life of a farmer, Chang, Chih-Chieh threw himself into organic farming as a layman. Although confronted by many setbacks, he would always joke, “For our rice is grown by sweat, tears and blood.” There is a large tract of fallow in Xihu Long Dong, and the isolated place enclosed by mountains amidst the hills is able to avoid pollution of the adjoining areas. Chang, Chih-Chieh found his ideal farmland right here and began to run “Fanpu Guizhen (return to the original nature) Organic Farm” thus. Now he has rented farmlands which cover an area of more than 10 hectares for practicing organic cultivation. Cooperative and agricultural equipment are also established and purchased in hope of thereby assisting young farmers in starting a business, promoting food and agriculture education so that more people can learn and join agriculture.

Known as “the expert of organic farming”, the owner of “Lujing Compound Farm” Sung, Ming-Chih has accumulated more than ten years of experience in organic farming. More than 30 varieties of crops including paddy rice and seasonal fruits are grown based on the adoption of healthy and natural farming that has obtained organic certification issued by National Chung Hsing University. The breathtaking scenery of Lujing Compound Farm has attracted countless urbanites to reserve for experiencing farming chores in the countryside as well. Apart from taking visitors into the fields to cultivate vegetables, Sung, Ming-Chih also encourages everybody to pick and stir-fry vegetables and participate in Hakka printed cloth bag DIY program after meal. Lujing Compound Farm hence becomes the most beautiful food and agriculture classroom in Hudong.

“One must learn and understand science if he wishes to become a farmer?” The answer is definitely positive to Sung, Kuei-Yi, the owner of “Pitayaderm Orchard”. Being also the chairman of an environmental air-conditioning technology company, Song Gui Yi was once teased as “a farmer who is least like a farmer”. Yet the dragon fruits he produces are remarkable for excellent quality with highest value of output per unit. How can he possibly achieve such a success? Science is the answer. Song Gui Yi tries to completely imitate the mode of environmental control to agriculture and analyze the essential elements of dragon fruits based on scientific method: the golden ratio of soil and fertilizer concentration, CO2 concentration and the sun. Now the dragon fruits he cultures and produces are provided with a unique three-level texture that the fruits are often snapped up as soon as they are harvested.