Ruanpikeng Leisure Agricultural Area

As the brook extols the beautiful poems of nature to the seasons, the trees grow more lushly and verdantly upon being nourished by the stream; the simple and rustic soft pond (ruanpikeng) brims over with rural charm and warm hospitality while the relaxing and carefree atmosphere freezes in this tranquil moment.

Gurgling down Ruanpikeng Leisure Agricultural Area, Ruanpikeng River nourishes the crops on the shore sides and the fish and shrimp in the creek with its bountiful waters, bringing rich and varied features to local habitats. The name of “Ruanpikeng” narrates the past stories where the native ancients toiled and moiled and went through thick and thin together. In order to draw water for irrigation, the ancestors tried to build ponds by piling up the stones in olden days. However, the mighty torrent brought by heavy rains washed out and destroyed the vulnerable stones. Thus the ancestors made concerted efforts to restore the pond again through stone paving, which is exactly the origin of “soft pond”. As stream is referred to as “pond” by Hakka people, the brook is denominated “Soft Pond River (Ruanpikeng)”. Turning into Qing Fu Street from Provincial Highway No. 8 and continue to go upward along Soft Pond River, one can explore several sightseeing spots such as orchards, skywalk hiking trail, Nuomi Bridge and riverbank park. Whichever activity one partakes in, fruit picking, hiking or taking a cold spring bath, one will be able to feast both eyes on the beauty of natural landscapes, experience the fruity aroma that lingers forever and release unlimited creativity.

Bamboo shoots grown by Lover Valley Orchard are deeply favored by regular customers

Crops such as sweet persimmons, the Brazilian grape trees, oranges and sweet bamboo shoots planted by “Lover Valley” are the manifestation of Chi Qui Hui couple’s gratitude and passion for this land. The fruits and vegetables are grown with attentive care by the couple in keeping with safety medication that no herbicides are used during the process. Many regular customers have fallen in love with the sweet bamboo shoots produced by Lover Valley that they tend to always visit the bamboo forest to pick out, designate, and even ask the owner Chi Quig Hui to reserve in advance. They will come and gather in the fresh bamboo shoots for bringing home as soon as the harvest season arrives. To show the most heartwarming hospitality of the couple, sweet-and-sour lime marmalade developed and made by Chi Quig Hui couple is also served at the table for customers to dip the cooked bamboo shoots until they cool down. If you visit Lover Valley in October and November, consider join sweet persimmons plucking program; the season of oranges comes in late November and December. One can always enjoy the pleasure of foot bath at mountain spring pool and experience the warm welcome and gracious hospitality provided by Chi Quig Hui couple at any time in any season.

Dip the cooked cold bamboo shoots into lime marmalade to savor the refreshing taste

Located on Provincial Highway No. 8 in the direction of Kukuan, “Shin He Tourist Orchard” preserves large primeval comphor tree forests thanks to the owner Zhan De Chang’s insisting on the idea of loving, cherishing the trees and realizing the harmonious co-existence between human and fruiter. “Cutting trees is an easy task that can be done within a few minutes, yet it takes too many years for a tree to grow this big,” he said sentimentally. Since Zhan De Chang’s family has been engaged in farming for generations, he is able to master fruit cultivation techniques. He who is apt at making innovations tries to improve the loquat trees that the fruits grown on “monster loquat tree”, the nickname for the loquat trees inside the orchard, become three times as big as the regular loquat fruits. This particular loquat fruit is sweet and luscious, attracting countless visitors by its reputation. In addition to loquats, pears and sweet persimmons are also planted on the farm. Visitors can surely experience the fun of fruit plucking during harvest season.

Being a tree lover, Zhan De Chang cannot bear to cut down the trees. Comphor tree woods are allowed to coexist harmoniously with loquat and pear trees.

Established by Ruanpikeng Leisure Farms Development Association, “holiday fruit market” is located next to Tiangong Taoist Temple, the center of belief of the local residents. The hall exhibits and sells native agricultural products and specialties: lime marmalade, persimmon vinegar and dried Japanese persimmon kaki are the most popular souvenir gifts. In the past, pear scions were imported to graft the grafted pear in Dongshi region. After five to six years of research and development, Ruanpikeng has finally produced the native pear scion, “Ru Yi”. The outward appearance of the light yellow Ru Yi resembles to the shape of an apple. It is fresh, sweet, luscious and thirst-quenching. Furthermore, the harvest season of different types of local fruits continues to follow one after another: persimmons in autumn, tangerines in winter, and loquats, peaches and plum in spring. If visiting on weekends or holidays, one can see local farmers setting up stands to display and sell seasonal fruits and agricultural products which are all fresh and of excellent quality.