Hong Wa Cuo

We didn’t feel welcomed as guests. There’s a lot that could be improved.

The courtyard house has a rustic feel I love, from the red brick against the blue sky to the wooden doors, stone steps, earthy smell, grass, and phytoncides in the air. For someone used to city gasoline smells, that scent feels like a luxury. Travel means getting immersed in local daily life instead of judging another place by your own standards, and I recommend Hongwacuo to friends and family visiting Puli for that experience. We come to Hongwacuo whenever our family visits Puli, usually staying in a four-person room. It’s affordable, peaceful, and the ecosystem is well preserved. Breakfast is always fresh and delicious. Although the bathrooms are outside the rooms, they’re convenient, clean, and well maintained, which reflects the owner’s care for this traditional mountain courtyard home. The sheets and blankets smell like sunshine, and we sleep so soundly.

We came as a family of three for our child’s birthday and spent three days and two nights here. We wanted a break from our busy routine, and the mountain scenery and quiet surroundings made it easy to slow down and feel at peace without packing in lots of activities. There are three nearby experiences that suit kids: fish and shrimp, fireflies, and frogs. The owner and their family were so kind. We chatted and had tea with them throughout our stay, and felt that warm, simple hospitality. We noticed quite a few other visitors had been here before, and now I understand why. We’ll see you again next time 😊

The breakfast was the one thing that suited our family. The rest really wasn’t for us, and we just wanted to go home. We expected a wooden cabin because the reviews were so positive, but opening the door made us want to leave right away. The whole night was uncomfortable. It felt like camping, and it was our first time staying at a campsite. The bathroom was outside the courtyard and quite a walk from the room, not next to it as we’d imagined. At night our child was scared to go there alone, so an adult had to accompany them in the dark. The room had a damp, rural smell as soon as we entered, which may not suit people with sensitive noses. It wasn’t good for sleeping either: the curtains didn’t block much light and wouldn’t close properly. We hadn’t expected a traditional courtyard house, so don’t pick this room if you’re not looking for that kind of experience.