[Taichung Xinshe 台中新社] Lavender Cottage ♦ 薰衣草森林 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Nov 2018 | Mar 2017 | Nov 2014 >

Xinshe 新社 is an approximate one hour drive from Taichung city into mountains of 560-620 metres altitude. Known affectionately as the garden of Taichung (台中后花园), it is also home to the highly anticipated Xinshe Flower Fest 新社花海 - usually held in Q4 annually - jamming the mountain town with locals and foreigners. Flower fest aside, the town is still worth exploring anytime of the year, for its "mushroom street", thematic garden cafes and of course, Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林.

☷☷☷ About Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林 ☷☷☷

Started by two city girls who left their respective banking and piano coaching jobs to pursue a lavender dream, one of them has since passed on due to cancer but her dream lives on in their growing brand, which counts accommodation, F&B, retail and more.

My very first visit to Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林 was the one at Jian Shi Township 尖石乡 in Hsinchu 新竹. My elders and I enjoyed the ambience and scenery very much, despite it being much smaller than Xinshe 新社's which I visited soon after. The latter was built on land belonging to an old farming couple Mr and Mrs Wang, who still reside and work within its grounds, with their free roaming three-pawed dog Laifu 来福. The two parks present different facades, themes and activities through the seasons, such as Jan-Feb's lavender blooms and May's firefly season (the latter I hope to catch someday).

For an admission fee of NT$150 (partially redeemable for in-park purchases), you can relax here for a good half day, suitable even for families with kids or elders in tow. Also, the Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林 here offers a unique lodging experience, which you can check out in my separate post:
[Taichung Xinshe 台中新社 ⌂ Stay宿] Adagio Reindeer : Vanilla House 缓慢寻路：香草House

☷☷☷ Zone 1 ☷☷☷

▼ Purchase your admission ticket at the main entrance. If you are checking in to the lodging, this is also where you inform the staff, for the housekeeper to receive you.

▼ Herb Shop 香草铺子. A strategically-located retail store near the entrance, selling my favourite products. There are also other/smaller retail zones within the park, so I would suggest window shopping first, then get your shopping done at this store before leaving the premises.

▼ Lavender Rites 净身仪式. Feels wrong to miss this ritual - getting mist-sprayed to commence your exploration.

▼ Restroom "with a view" 看风景洗手间. Even the family-friendly washroom is an interesting place to check out (Gents entrance not photographed). You can try their soaps at the wash basin.

▼ Forest Cafe 森林咖啡馆. One of the two cafes in-park, and the one serving full meals. Beside this main structure (with limited tables), there are a few other alfresco seatings for dining in.

▼ Light bite in Nov 2018 (after a hearty breakfast and checking out of the lodging, before departing Xinshe 新社)

▼ Herb bread with apple cream cheese 香草手工面包佐苹果乳酱 NT$130 + hot Lavender latte 热薰衣草拿铁 NT$160 (+10% service charge)

▼ Lunch in Mar 2017 (offsetting NT$100 admission fee)

▼ Grilled lavender honey chicken 薰衣草蜜汁嫩鸡 NT$340 (+10% service charge)

▼ Lavender citrus iced tea 薰衣草香桔冰砖茶 NT$170 + orange blossom pomelo tea 橙花香柚茶 NT$160 (+10% service charge) *NT$50 off when ordered with any main

▼ Herb Market 香草市集. A small retail area selling a selection of house products.

▼ The home of Mr & Mrs Wang, owner of the vast farm which Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林 sits on.

▼ Laifu 来福 the resident dog (still looking good in Nov 2018)

▼ The main entrance to the lodging has a beautiful Herb Garden 王妈妈香草园, display house and Forestmosa Shop 森林岛屿 that are opened to the public.

▼ The display house & Forestmosa Shop 森林岛屿 behind Herb Garden 王妈妈香草园.

▼ Heading back to the main street near the cafe, Memory Post 年轮邮局 is an "activity area" marking the "end" of my Zone 1.

If you are into sending loved ones (or yourself) postcards, remember to check out this little store.

▼ There is also a small house beside it that caters for DIY workshops.

☷☷☷ Zone 2 ☷☷☷

▼ Possibly the highlight of the park, Lavender Hill 紫丘.
Basically, lavender favours cool weather and avoids the rain, with Oct-Apr being a typically suitable period to grow the flower, and its full glory in Jan-Feb (winter in Taiwan). The rest of the year (May-Sep), Lavender Cottage 薰衣草森林 decks the hills with other blooms, such as sage 鼠尾草, purple Angelonia 紫色小天使 and Lythraceae 千屈菜 - in shades of purple, no doubt.

There are designated walkways for patrons to go within the fields. Sadly, there are still inconsiderate visitors (both locals and foreigners) who disregard rules and step onto non-designated zones. I find this unacceptable as it discredits the hard work of the farmers. Gentle reminder to visitors that while seeing the blooms may get us excited, respect the hard work of the staff here, and help maintain a conducive environment for everyone to enjoy.

▼ Ascending the steps to the top of the hill brings you to another haven Wishing Tree 许愿树.

▼ Take time to relax at the open fields here, overlooking the distant mountains and greenary.

▼ Spotted Laifu 来福 on his patrol, or rather, his enviable life with fresh mountain air and a fabulous view ~

▼ Back at the foot of the hills is a Carousel 旋转木马, opened to both kids and adults (and free for lodging guests - though I have yet to make use of this privilege!). Buy your ticket from the cafe diagonally opposite the carousel.

▼ The other F&B point in-park, Lavender Hill Cafe 紫丘咖啡馆, serving desserts and beverages, and where you buy tickets for the carousel ride.

▼ An alfresco seating area overlooks the forest.

▼ Iced lavender milk tea 冰薰衣草奶茶 NT$150 + lemon grass 柠檬草 ice cream by the cup NT$50

▼ Lavender ice cream cone by the scoop NT$50 + iced lavender milk tea 冰薰衣草奶茶 NT$150. The latter is definitely my favourite here. Ice cream wise, I would go for rose flavour (often sold out!).

▼ An outdoor exhibition in Nov 2014, at the open area near the cafe and carousel.

▼ Forest Gallery Entrance 肖楠之境 at the borders of my Zone 2.

I find this zone rather therapeutic, though I must admit I have yet to venture into its depth. Don't we all need to "switch off" from time to time, and why not a moment to "listen to a tree"? If I remember right, the park organizes periodic walking trails to experience the serenity and magic of the forest. (Also where the annual firefly fest night stroll takes place.)

▼ Forest Terrace 森林平台, also at the borders of my Zone 2.

▼ Lavender Origins Cottage 初中小屋, back in Nov 2014 was a work-in-progress. Had the chance to see its completion in 2018.

▼ Elsewhere (and everywhere) in the park - it's flower power, even if not lavender season. There are enough blooms in the cottage whole year round to make this a worthy destination.