Wulin Farm (武陵農場) is located in Hoping District (和平區), Taichung, Taiwan. It is 150 km (93.2 mi) from Taipei Station. Wulin Farm is one of the 8 farms owned by the Veterans Affairs Council, R.O.C. (國軍退除役官兵輔導委員會). Recently the farm was also listed under the name of Wuling National Forest Recreation Area (武陵國家森林遊樂區), but the locals still use its original name Wulin Farm.
Wulin Farm is our most visited farm in Taiwan. We visited 5 times since 2010. We have no clue why we visited it so often. It might be the nearest one where we can really enjoy the nature of four seasons in Taiwan. The driving itself is quite challenge after driving along the Lanyang River (蘭陽溪) and the mountain road toward to Wulin Farm. We normally stop at Ying Shih Guest House Official (英仕山莊) to rest and use the toilet. It is located almost halfway on the journey to the farm. My wife and I also switch drivers here. Unlike the road driving along the river, here is the beginning of the mountain ride. It is also a pleasant drive if you avoid coming on weekends and holidays. Some of the turns are quite steep, but it is not very difficult once you get used to it. We normally do not stay overnight at Wulin Farm unless we went with our parents because it is not so far away from Taipei. Wulin Farm is an amazing area with different scenery in all four seasons. Wuling Farm exhibits a variety of flowers especially cherry blossoms with delightful smell of peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and apple blossoms in spring, abundant fruits in summer, scarlet maple leaves in autumn and white snow in winter. If you like hiking, you should hike the 4.3 km (2.67 mi) concrete paved Tao-Shan Waterfall (桃山瀑布) trail from altitude 1,800 m (5,906 ft) to the 2,250 m (7,234 ft) destination. It takes around 2 hours each way. We did not take the challenge in the past, but we did it in the recent visit. The trail is covered by high and dense pine trees. Therefore we could avoid the might sun even in the sunny day. Due to the dry climate this year, we did not see lots of the water on the waterfall but it was still worth the hike.
One particular occasion (2013/12/27), we decided to go there without any planning in advance, and we saw snow when we headed to the farm near the 1,948 m (6,391 ft) Siyuan Yakou (思源埡口). It was the first time we encountered snow in Taiwan when driving, and normally it happens on higher mountains only. There are limited services in Wuling Farm area during the low season, so bring drinks and food if you do not come during regular meal times. Wearing comfortable shoes is necessary because you need to walk a lot to enjoy the area. You need a zoom lens with your camera in order to capture the beauty of the farm.
Wulin Farm is our most visited farm in Taiwan. We visited 5 times since 2010. We have no clue why we visited it so often. It might be the nearest one where we can really enjoy the nature of four seasons in Taiwan. The driving itself is quite challenge after driving along the Lanyang River (蘭陽溪) and the mountain road toward to Wulin Farm. We normally stop at Ying Shih Guest House Official (英仕山莊) to rest and use the toilet. It is located almost halfway on the journey to the farm. My wife and I also switch drivers here. Unlike the road driving along the river, here is the beginning of the mountain ride. It is also a pleasant drive if you avoid coming on weekends and holidays. Some of the turns are quite steep, but it is not very difficult once you get used to it. We normally do not stay overnight at Wulin Farm unless we went with our parents because it is not so far away from Taipei. Wulin Farm is an amazing area with different scenery in all four seasons. Wuling Farm exhibits a variety of flowers especially cherry blossoms with delightful smell of peach blossoms, plum blossoms, and apple blossoms in spring, abundant fruits in summer, scarlet maple leaves in autumn and white snow in winter. If you like hiking, you should hike the 4.3 km (2.67 mi) concrete paved Tao-Shan Waterfall (桃山瀑布) trail from altitude 1,800 m (5,906 ft) to the 2,250 m (7,234 ft) destination. It takes around 2 hours each way. We did not take the challenge in the past, but we did it in the recent visit. The trail is covered by high and dense pine trees. Therefore we could avoid the might sun even in the sunny day. Due to the dry climate this year, we did not see lots of the water on the waterfall but it was still worth the hike.
One particular occasion (2013/12/27), we decided to go there without any planning in advance, and we saw snow when we headed to the farm near the 1,948 m (6,391 ft) Siyuan Yakou (思源埡口). It was the first time we encountered snow in Taiwan when driving, and normally it happens on higher mountains only. There are limited services in Wuling Farm area during the low season, so bring drinks and food if you do not come during regular meal times. Wearing comfortable shoes is necessary because you need to walk a lot to enjoy the area. You need a zoom lens with your camera in order to capture the beauty of the farm.
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James Huang - All rights reserved.
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