Interesting Green: Home on the range, 新光兆丰休闲农场 xīn guāng zhào fēng xiū xián Nóng chǎng

MY PAPER, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2011, PAGE A9, Travel
From http://epaper.mypaper.sg/cnd/fvxen/fvxp/fvxpress.php?param=2011-11-14
Source Website: http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/features/816612/Home_on_the_range.html
By Joy Fang, my paper | Mon, Nov 14 2011

PHOTO: Tourists take photos at the huge pasture used for the grazing of Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch And Resort's, 新光兆丰休闲农场 xīn guāng zhào fēng xiū xián Nóng chǎng, 500 head of cattle. Bright golden flowers blanket the field in the summer.

Mention the word "farm", and one may think of a muddy place where chickens run amok and where farmers in straw hats harvest rice.

But you'll find no such thing at Taiwan's fun farms, also known as leisure farms, which are recreational facilities which are often pristine (original), but not devoid of rustic charm.

PHOTO: 061007 Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch & Resort

By ナギ (nagi) nagi. This photo was taken on October 7, 2006 using a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3.
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/84/263691350_f778ae6e0e_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafetricot/263691350/in/photostream/
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One such farm is the Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch And Resort, 新光兆丰休闲农场 xīn guāng zhào fēng xiū xián Nóng chǎng, in Hualien County.

With buildings and pavilions taking cues from European architecture (expect to see recreations of European landmarks), as well as beautiful flower gardens, this 726ha farm is a rare gem.

PHOTO: European replicas can be found around the farm, such as this recreation of Paris’ Arc de Triomphe.

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http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/features/816612/Home_on_the_range.html

PHOTO: 061007 Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch & Resort

By ナギ (nagi) nagi. This photo was taken on October 7, 2006 using a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3.

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/94/263691294_56b81bffa3_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafetricot/263691294/in/photostream/
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Before going, book a room in one of 130 cabins in the farm's Netherland's Village to fully enjoy the pastoral experience.

my paper tells you how to make the most of a day on the farm.

9am - Arrive at the farm. If you've booked a room, you could check in and wander around Netherland's Village, which has a large windmill that recalls Holland. Lovely landscaped rose gardens surround the quaint (Attractively unusual or old-fashioned) cottages.

You could also enjoy a swim in the open-air pool, soak in hot springs or have a meal at the in-house Chinese restaurant.

PHOTO: Photograph by TanKM, Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch & Resort, Hualien County. Also considered one of the largest leisure farms in Taiwan and with a touch of Holland architecture.

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10am - Head to the entrance of the farm to get your tickets (NT$350 - S$15 - for adults) and a map. There, see the majestic recreation of Paris' famous Arc de Triomphe - a perfect spot for that tourist photo.

10.20am - The farm is big, so choosing your mode of transport is important. You can ride a tram which travels around the farm, rent bicycles - the price varies from NT$100 to NT$400, depending on the type of bike you choose (week day and weekend rates differ, too) - or hire a four-seater buggy (this reporter's personal favourite).

PHOTO: The writer chose to rent a buggy during her farm trip, which allowed her to move around without breaking a sweat.
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For just NT$500 for two hours, you get to drive around without breaking a sweat (you will need a valid driver's licence).

11am - If you've rented a buggy, you'd immediately pass by a European-styled garden and a castle- like building that houses the tourist information centre, restaurant and gift shop.

Get your hands on fresh dairy products produced by the farm at the shops. Try the home-made milk ice-cream - creamy and rich, it's heavenly on a warm day.

PHOTO: At the milch cow park
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Continue on to the petting zoo, where you get up close with animals such as rabbits, ostriches, camels, mountain goats, monkeys and red and white foxes.

PHOTO: A mini Statue of Liberty could be nearby
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Along the way, stop and pose beside an obelisk and a mini Statue of Liberty. An aviary is nearby, housing more than 400 types of birds.

PHOTO: There are many parts in the ranch such as birds park, housing more than 400 types of birds

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PHOTO: Up the slope towards Washington Monument
http://www.ah-hong.com/travel/hualien-tour-cingjing/

PHOTO: 061007 Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch & Resort
By ナギ (nagi) nagi. This photo was taken on October 7, 2006 using a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z3.
http://farm1.staticflickr.com/118/263690492_bc014ffc8c_o.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafetricot/263690492/in/photostream/
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Explore the insect and butterfly ecological park opposite the zoo, where you can learn about the fascinating lives of these creatures. Also visit the reptile garden, where you can see iguanas and monitor lizards.

PHOTO: Dino T-Rex
http://www.ah-hong.com/travel/hualien-tour-cingjing/

1.35pm - Head to the tourist information centre for lunch. The restaurant serves typical Chinese dishes. Then make the climb to the top of the building, where there's an open-air platform from which to enjoy a view of the entire farm.

PHOTO: Statue in front of a sourvenir shop
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PHOTO: 新光兆豐休閒農場　　　　
地址：花蓮縣鳳林鎮林榮里永福街20號
電話：(03)877-1410
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http://irisepause.blogspot.com/2010/10/shin-kong-chao-feng-hualien-ranch.html

2.45pm - Journey north, past the zoo until you reach an enormous pasture. Measuring 70ha, the land is used for the grazing of the farm's 500 head of cattle. This reporter got to see the field completely covered in a carpet of bright golden flowers.

PHOTO: Enormous pasture measuring 70ha, used for the grazing of the farm's 500 head of cattle

Home on the range - 1
http://www.ah-hong.com/travel/hualien-tour-cingjing/

3.15pm - As you head further north, the farm becomes less of a tourist attraction. At a rickety shed, fertiliser is produced from cattle waste.

An orchard lies to the north of the farm. There, you'll be able to pick and eat fresh fruit - such as lemons, avocados, bananas and oranges, depending on the season - straight off the trees.

4.45pm - Double back south and drive until you reach the butterfly park. There, chill out under the late-afternoon sun at the Hou Hua Yuan Cafe and Viewing Pavilion, which faces a lake.

5.30pm - Make a last stop at the Si Siu Lake, where a picturesque white bridge with two pavilions sit above a clear lake. Black swans and cygnets glide serenely on the water.

6.30pm - If you're booked into a room, you'd be able to retire to your cottage and grab dinner. You might even choose to indulge in a spa treatment before heading to bed.

Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch And Resort is located at No. 20 Yongfu Street, Fenglin Township, Hualien County; to check it out, visit www.skcf.com.tw.

PHOTO: 小孩都跑光光的新光兆豐休閒農場兒童繪畫比賽
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Getting there

To get to Shin Kong Chao Feng Ranch And Resort from Taipei, take a train from Taipei Main Station to Fenglin.

From there, you can take a Tour Taiwan bus to the farm or call your hotel, which will arrange for a taxi to pick you up.

From now until Dec 31, visitors to Taiwan are entitled to gifts, while stocks last.

Simply flash your air ticket and hotel confirmation to redeem them from Taiwan Visitors Association Singapore at 5 Shenton Way, UIC Building, #31-11. Call 6223-6546/7 or e-mail tbrocsin@singnet.com.sg.

To view past and new instalments of this series, visit www.sgtravellers.com.

By Joy Fang, my paper | Mon, Nov 14 2011