Taking the Huwei Exit on National Freeway 1, drive toward Douliu City and along Section 1 of Mingde North Road, you will arrive at Da chuan Guo Yuan on the right side of the road. Because of its high accessibility, it is known as a city orchard.
Introduction
The Cheng family used to live at Niutiao Bay (meaning “oxbow” due to the shape of the bay) in Douliu. During the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed “Zhudan Bay” as the original name was deemed distasteful. At that time, the orchard grew acidic “Wanbei Yu” white pomelo for export to northeastern Japan but it became unpopular after the recovery of Taiwan from Japanese control. In 1977, Wendan pomelo was grown instead and it became the origin of Douliu Wendan. In 2003, the orchard officially established the “Danchuan Wendan” brand.
Currently, Da chuan Guo Yuan is run by father and son Cheng Cheng-hung and Cheng Yen-fu. Utilizing modernized management, they produce quality Wendan and white pomelos without pesticide residue. First to introduce brix level and standardization, the orchard has since become a benchmark for the local Wendan industry. In 2022, it was chosen as a Traceable Agricultural Product (TAP) Expert. In recent years, combining local industry, history and culture, the orchard has organized eco-tours and agrifood activities, pomelo flower season and short local trips, which are hugely popular with the public. With diverse tree varieties at the orchard, you can enjoy the ambience of nature right in the city.
Da chuan Guo Yuan mainly grows Madou Wendan and white pomelo. Madou Wendan is a special variety of trees that can be traced back to 1977. The orchard widely implements organic cover cropping, natural mineral rocks and liquid vinegar fertilizer to maintain tree health, and create refreshingly fragrant and sour-sweet fruits. Because of its lingering sweetness and springy texture, you can easily peel off an entire segment of the fruit without it sticking to your hand, earning it the nickname “shark’s fin Wendan”.
Besides naturally fermented “pomelo vinegar” and “pomelo floral water hand sanitizer”, the orchard has recently debuted “red-bead decorative tag”, which is made using seeds of the Acacia coral trees found within the orchard. It has always been Da chuan Guo Yuan’s goal to create a wide variety of agricultural products.
Having two children of his own, Mr. Cheng Yen-fu introduces many family-friendly tours at the orchard to benefit other families with children. Because of the numerous trees in the orchard, eco-tours are fundamental and the most popular is the tree-climbing activity. Visitors must use all their hands and legs to climb up a rope to experience Tarzan’s childhood. This activity is highly recommended by many parents as it has been said that children who have come here to play will be so exhausted that they will sleep like a log afterwards. Furthermore, season-limited “pomelo flower season”, “DIY stone-oven baked pizza”, “handmade flora paper” and “pounding-art carrier bag” are also very popular among families with children.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Fruits
As a second-generation farmer, Mr. Cheng Yen-fu focused simply on planting Madou Wendan and white pomelo initially. After winning the Tap Expert award, he started thinking whether it was possible to extend the shelf life of Wendan in other ways.
He then worked out a plan to establish a recreational farm to promote Douliu’s special industry – Wendan. Putting together information and resources, including the history of Wendan industry in Taiwan and Douliu, characteristics of the Wendan industry, and promotion of eco-friendly and sustainable cover cropping, a variety of written content and graphics are used to make dry knowledge approachable and fun. Agrifood activities and guided tours also allowing the public to truly understand Douliu and its special industry. With diverse ecosystems, proximity to the city and high accessibility, all types of DIY activities are available year-round by advance booking, except season-limited fruit-picking experience.
Allowing visitors to understand the cultivation and processing of Madou Wendan and white pomelo is Mr. Cheng Yen-fu’s commitment to education on organic planting and eco-friendly farming. It is also his hope that visitors will have a deeper understanding of Wendan during the fruit-picking process.
Information
TEL
+886-5 534 2577
Address
No. 651-6, Sec. 1, Mingde N. Rd., Douliu City, Yunlin County , Taiwan (R.O.C.)
