Pear Story House

Breakfast was provided, and the rooms were clean. The place itself, “Yongye Environment ⛰️ Ecological 🌳 Farm 🌱,” felt peaceful and quiet.

The stay is in the mountains, away from city noise, and you can step right outside into the forest. The air feels full of nature, with plants all around. There are trails, spots to enjoy coffee or tea, fruit picking, and pottery and sculpting activities. It sounds like a lovely place to escape the summer heat. A few practical things about the back mountain walk to Zhaixinglou (Star-Picking Pavilion): the slope is around 40-45 degrees, and the path alternates between steps and flatter stretches before widening near the top. Bring mosquito repellent. There are spider webs along the natural trail, so you may need to find a bamboo stick and keep waving it in front of you. Near the summit, take the right bend. There is an 8k+400? sign on the left and an environmental map on the slope to the right. A little further on is the viewing platform, which faces Xinshe. You can see mountains on the left, an orchard on the right, and big trees behind you. There is no kitchen at Yongye Ecological Leisure Farm, so overnight guests can eat down the mountain. Tables at nearby places need to be reserved ahead of time. Suggestions include Balochi {International Cuisine}, a scenic restaurant at 88-8 Donglan Road with individual set meals, baked rice, international noodles, and hot pot. Set meals come with a dessert and drink, and parking is on the right side. Penang Garden Food Court at 178 Shicheng Street serves fresh seafood and local vegetable dishes, with parking available. Yi Pin Yuan Affordable Freshly Cooked Dishes is behind the Dongshi Police Station near Dongshi Elementary School, offers quick meals, and has parking as well as paid parking across the street. Ah Shun's Freshly Cooked Food is at No. 8, Lane 2, Xinfeng Street, with parking at the restaurant on its right.

There’s a trail through the grounds that’s nice for an early walk, and the natural setting is full of life with great views. Kids may especially enjoy the giant spider feeding show in the courtyard, which makes a fun nature lesson. Most rooms are for families right now. Double rooms are expected after renovation.

Behind the guesthouse, the mountain trail winds through bamboo groves on little bridges, then reaches a staircase lined with cherry blossoms. The Daxueshan range comes into view further up. I can imagine how pretty the blossoms must look in full bloom, moving in the breeze. The owners, a husband and wife, are very hospitable, and the coffee they make is excellent. You can arrange pottery lessons in advance, and the coffee ware they use is their own work. It's a quiet, relaxing farm resort, good for a day trip if you're staying in Fengyuan or Taichung. The prices seem reasonable: on weekdays, a double room is $2000 and a five-person room is $5000. Weekend rates are $2500 for a double and $5800 for a five-person room. Breakfast is included.