Surrounded by mountains, TOUSHE GIETHOORN is located in Yuchi Township, Nantou County. With Sun Moon Lake just over the mountain, you can clearly see the lake’s famous landmark Cien Pagoda on top of Shabalan Mountain (Erlong Mountain). Within the TOUSHE GIETHOORN, there are over 100,000 Australian tea trees growing on its two-hectare land. While it is known for producing tea tree oil-related products, it also provides a wide array of farm tour itineraries, including farm experience, environmental tour and DIY activities, giving visitors a deeper insight into the unique charm of the “live basin”.
Introduction
The land which TOUSHE GIETHOORN stands on is a peat bog. Formed through the accumulation of decomposing plants over 10 million years, it has high moisture content. When walking on the peat bog, you will feel a slight tremor as though you are walking on jelly. In parts of the peat bog where moisture content is even higher, you might get stuck if you accidentally step into it. The locals call this place a “live basin”. While the “live basin” is nutrient-rich, most plants cannot survive on it unless they can tolerate the extreme moisture of the environment. Because it is highly difficult for crops to take root, most locals have given up on the hope of depending on it for their livelihood.
Owner of TOUSHE GIETHOORN, Huang Shun-yu, is one of the very few young people who have chosen to stay in the TOUSHE GIETHOORN to make a living. He started with rearing freshwater lobsters and Kiluat fish but ultimately lost them in a heavy rain. He even grew luffa in the live basin. To increase their survival rate, he tied every three plants together to form one plant to reinforce them. However, when Typhoon Sinlaku hit in 2008, it caused a three-meter-high flood which lasted a week, destroying all his crops.
Despite having to sell his inheritance and encountering repeated failures, Huang was tenacious and struggled on. His farming business finally saw a silver lining when he found Australian tea tree. He started pinning his hope on this plant, which is endemic to the Australian swamp. In the first year, he planted 3,000 trees and they survived the regular floods, frost and drought. Those that were blown over by typhoons were straightened and continued to grow. In 2013, three typhoons – Soulik, Trami and Kong-rey, hit Taiwan consecutively but the tea trees miraculously survived three floods over a period of one and a half month. That proved that the trees have passed Mother Nature’s rigorous test and is suitable for growing in the live basin.
Characteristics
Forest
Tea trees can be harvested all year round. After crushing the leaves and stems, essential oil and hydrosol are extracted by distillation. During blooming season in April each year, flowers fall like snow flakes on the branches, creating the most romantic scenery. Strolling along a tree-lined avenue, visitors can enjoy the natural scenery and learn about tree planting and essential oil extraction from a professional guide.
Within the TOUSHE GIETHOORN is also an area where you can experience ancient farming. Exhibits of ancient cooking, irrigation and fishing equipment include antique wood-fired cook stove, hand water pump, irrigation facilities, and shore operated lift net unique to Sun Moon Lake. While participating in the farm experience, visitors will get an insight into the wisdom of early people and the hardship of ancient farming practices.
In addition, the TOUSHE GIETHOORN provides a wide variety of DIY activities, including natural luffa scrub with handmade tea tree soap and tea tree bath salt. Visitors can also participate in unique live basin tour itineraries and kayaking. Advance booking is required for all tour activities.
