Meteor Garden is nestled within the Gonglaoping Scenic Area at approximately 500 meters above sea level, only about a 20-minute drive from Fengyuan City. It offers panoramic views, with the Snow Mountain Range to the east and Taiwan’s coastline to the west. Airplanes occasionally streak across the skies, adding to the scenery. It’s also a prime location for viewing the nightscape of Taichung.
Introduction
In addition to stunning views, the garden offers the joy of organic fruit-picking. A variety of citrus fruits are cultivated in the park, with the harvest season lasting from December to March. The natural farming methods employed here, abhorring the use of pesticides, allow visitors to enjoy freshly picked fruit. Among the varieties, the “Burnt Orange” is particularly unique with its slightly charred appearance, giving it a name as distinctive as its look.
Freshly harvested citrus fruits from Gonglaoping are perfect for immediate consumption and are also transformed into a range of processed goods. Popular products include citrus dried fruit, cookies, and jams. The dried fruit, prepared using low-temperature drying methods, is available in both slice and segmented forms, retaining the fruit’s original flavor. Adding dark or white chocolate drizzle enhances the taste, blending the citrus’s tang with the richness of chocolate.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Fruits
The citrus jam, made with a touch of lemon juice, balances the sweet and sour flavors, making it a perfect match for toasted bread. Children particularly enjoy the citrus jelly, which when chilled, melts smoothly in the mouth, providing a unique and refreshing taste. In summer, citrus ice cream and juices made from freshly harvested Gonglaoping citrus are especially popular, delivering natural and invigorating flavors.
The park is also filled with numerous photo-friendly spots. Among them, the three-story high slide stands out, drawing enthusiastic visitors of all ages. Children who typically grow tired when climbing stairs eagerly ascend them repeatedly for the thrill of the slide. Following the trails in the park, visitors can encounter the “hole houses,” ingenious structures for storing fresh oranges, and even discover the source of the renowned Hanxi River in Taichung, adding a layer of mystery and excitement to the visit.
