"It's always cool and comfortable up here all year round," said Zhong Yong Xing (鍾永興), owner of Happy Cherry. Zhong has been harvesting Oolong tea (烏龍茶) for decades, a trade passed down from his father. Just a few months ago, he opened his tea and coffee house to accompany a tea processing plant he had built on the mountain the year before.
For the newcomer, Zhong will demonstrate how to pour the perfect cup, which can be enjoyed on a patio that overlooks layer after layer of symmetrical tea fields.
Route 7 is more than 80km long, with many signs pointing out dozens of similar recreational farms. After stopping at a few key spots, self-exploration on a motorbike is your best bet. Map in hand, pick a direction and drive.
"Anyone can call up the Yilan County Farmers Association, and we'll help you plan a trip here," said Lin Tsai Kun (林蔡焜), a spokesman for the association.? "It's important that we show visitors the beauty that Yilan has to offer."
Getting to Ilan:
● Take the Taiwan Railway Eastern Main Line (台鐵東部幹線) to Ilan Station.
For prices and scheduling information, visit http://www.railway.gov.tw, or call Ilan Train Station at (03) 932 3801.
● Take the Dayou Bus (大有巴士) from Taipei to Ilan City. Buses leave 24 hours a day. One way ticket is NT$200. Visit http://www.airbus.com.tw, or call (08) 0008 8626.
● Take the Guoguang Bus (國光客運) from Taipei Station to Ilan City. One way ticket is NT$200. Visit http://www.tbus.com.tw, or call (08) 0001 0138.
Scooter Rentals: There are several shops directly across the street from the train station. On average, a one-day rental is NT$350.
Places to stay:
● Zhuangjiao Suozai Bed and Breakfast (庄腳所在民宿). Doubles availabe for NT$2,200 per night. Rooms for more than six people are available for NT$3,000 at 69-9 Zhenshan Cunpocheng Rd, Yuanshan Village, Ilan County (宜蘭縣員山鄉枕山村坡城路69-9號). Call: (03) 922 7292.
● Tea Village (茶之鄉). Doubles available for NT$1,500 per night. Rooms for more than six people are available for $3,600, at 2, Songluo Cunluchang Rd, Datong, Ilan County (宜蘭縣大同鄉松羅村鹿場路2號). Call: (03) 980 1118.
Useful addresses:
● Yilan County Farmers Association (宜蘭縣農會), 155, Linsen Rd, Ilan City (宜蘭市林森路155號). Call: (03) 938 5963.
● Bajia Recreational Fishery (八甲休閒漁場), 1-10 Shangde Cunbajia Rd, Yuanshan Village, Ilan County (宜蘭縣員山鄉尚德村八甲路1-10號). Call: (03) 922 5990.
● Shengyang Aquarium Center (勝洋水族中心), 15-1 Shangde Cunbajia, Yuanshan Village, Ilan County (宜蘭縣員山鄉尚德村八甲路15-1號). Call: (03) 922 2487
● Happy Cherry Tea and Coffee Garden (櫻悅山泉開非, 休閒茶園), 75, Luchang Rd, Datong Village, Ilan County (宜蘭縣大同鄉鹿場路75號). Call: (03) 980 1263.
● Shanben Farm (山本農場), 12 Songluo Cunluchang Rd, Datong Village, Ilan County (宜蘭縣大同鄉松羅村鹿場路12號). Call: (03) 980 1807.
● Bo Farm (波的農場), 149-41 Zhenshancun Zhenshan Rd, Yuanshan Village, Ilan County (宜蘭縣員山鄉枕山村枕山路149-41號). Call: (03) 923 2209.
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