Starry Minsu and Green Green Grasslands in Cingjing, Taiwan

Sunrise at our minsu in Cingjing

Back with a short travel update! Will just be blogging about the remaining highlights in Cingjing – our minsu (aka hostel) and Green Green Grasslands!

Starry Minsu (觀星園景觀山莊) was chosen by X while he was planning our trip as the minsu was much raved about online by other travelers. Situated at 2,106 metres above sea level, it is the highest minsu in Cingjing and boasts a fantastic view of Cingjing.

Sun peaking out from behind the mountain

The minsu was owned and managed by an elderly couple, Mr and Mrs Lee. They are extremely friendly, sincere and are very enjoyable to chat with. As the minsu is located pretty out of the way, upon alighting the bus, we phoned the minsu owner and they drove down to pick us up. In the morning, the minsu owner will drop us off at the place we want to, and when we want to return in the evening, we just had to give them a call and they will pick us up again. Albeit it’s a bit inconvenient, I felt the stay was still worth it as the view was breathtaking.

View from our balcony

There’s a small “courtyard” in front of the main minsu building, where we can dine and chill. On our second night, we actually had our dinner out there (see the next two pictures for what we ate!)

Our breakfast!

Breakfast is provided and it is a very simple and unpretentious affair. Toast, egg, fruits and tea – a pretty healthy way to start the day, don’t you think? 😉

Steamboat dinner

As the minsu is located really high up, there are no convenience stores or restaurants nearby. Hence, dinner is actually provided for at the minsu. Home-made by the minsu owners, the steamboat is nutritious and tasty (the broth was really good). Having a bowl of hot soup out in the cold was really shiok!

Sea of clouds rolled in (taken the second morning)

X actually wanted to take photos of stars at night, but it was too cloudy at night, otherwise he would probably spend the whole night at the courtyard taking photos… Maybe next time!

Nice place to have breakfast!

Though it’s really sunny, it’s definitely not warm at all! Temperature at Cingjing range between 15 to 23 degrees Celsius, which is a very comfortable and cooling temperature. Sorry we didn’t have much photos of the interior of the minsu, but the stay was very comfortable, though it does take a while for the hot water to reach us (understandable as we are very high up, so water’s not easy to obtain). The bed can be heated up, so you can actually warm up your bed before you sleep!

Starry Minsu (觀星園景觀山莊)

96 Bowang Road, Renai Township, Nantou County,Taiwan
(南投縣仁愛鄉大同村博望巷96號)
Do email them at hclee0701@yahoo.com.tw to liaise with them directly
http://starry.nantou.com.tw/

Beautiful weather!

Green Green Grasslands (青青草原) is part of Cingjing Farm. Sheeps are being reared here and you should be able to see sheep grazing on the grasslands (though oddly we didn’t see any on the day we were there, maybe we were too early?) Even if you don’t like sheep, the grasslands, the mountains, the sky, coupled with nice cooling weather, will definitely make you fall in love with that place.

Off to see the sheep shearing show!

We arrived early to watch the sheep shearing show, which started at 9.30am, and lasted for about 30 minutes. We decided not to join the crowd at the bottom, but watch it from afar. The show is featured only on weekends, and is performed by a shearer from New Zealand.

Baaaaa!

Poor sheep going to be naked real soon…

After the sheep shearing show, we head further into the grassland – the place is really huge! There was actually an equestrians performance scheduled at 10.30am. Given that the sheep shearing show ended at 10am and the next performance is located pretty far, it was pretty rush for us and disappointingly, the show was pretty boring. I suggest giving the show a miss and take more time to tour the place instead!

Paper windmills

Lots of families taking photos with the paper windmills

I’m not sure if they change the deco regularly, but the huge field of paper windmill is really pretty!

A huge windmill beside all the paper windmills

Green Green Grasslands is an extremely photogenic place to visit. One can just walk around and when tired, plop oneself down on the field (watch where you are sitting though! ;)) and just enjoy the view!

Green Green Grasslands (青青草原)

No.170, Renhe Rd., Ren’ai Township, Nantou County 546, Taiwan
(南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路170號)
Opening hours: 0800 hours – 1600 hours (usual) / 1700 hours (holidays)
Adult ticket: NT$160 (usual) / NT$200 (holidays)
Sheep Shearing Show: 0930 hours and 1430 hours on weekends and holidays (check with reception to be sure)
http://www.cingjing.gov.tw/en/information/index.php

Ending with a photo of the flowers grown at the minsu!

For the rest of the posts on Taiwan, see our Taiwan travel itinerary here!

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