“Yi Xuan Farm” is located in Guanyin District, Taoyuan, the hometown of lotus flowers. The owner Huang Cheng Chang planted lotus and gourds on his farm.
Introduction
“Yi Xuan Farm” is located in Guanyin District, Taoyuan, the hometown of lotus flowers. The owner Huang Cheng Chang planted lotus and gourds on his farm. In the early days a net chamber was set up to allow tourists to experience strawberry or tomato picking. He was often scolded by his elders, and neighbors were not optimistic about the venture. Later, as sightseeing and fruit picking became popular, the neighbors finally came together to promote the region. In addition to the lotus field, Yi Xuan Farm also has approximately 1,000 square-meter of roselles. Osmanthus, perfume lotus, peach, camellia and others are also planted in the garden.
Huang Chengchang is a native of Guanyin. His ancestors came here from Meixian, Guangdong to grow rice. As a Hakka, he inherited the traditional cooking skills, and opened up a restaurant on the farm called “ㄚChangbo Food House”, using the ingredients grown and marinated by nearby farmers and personally worked as the chef, cooking authentic Hakka dishes which have become the main component of the farm’s operation in recent years.
Interestingly, when ㄚChangbo Food House became famous his daughter helped him design a portrait stand, and the image of him with buck tooth and a big mole became the signature of the place. Visitors call him “ㄚ Changbo” when they see him, and even the 70- and 80-year-olds have followed suit.
Features of Agricultural Tourism
Flora
Every year from June to October, DIY experiences are launched in conjunction with the lotus season. At the same time, you can taste lotus meals and Hakka dishes such as lotus seed and lotus leaf rice, and buy a variety of lotus root agricultural products. Lotus-themed DIY includes tasting lotus leaf tea, picking and cutting lotus leaves in the fields, drying, packaging, taking home to brew, as well as DIY lotus leaf rice. From November to March of the following year, you can experience the joy of digging lotus roots.
Okra is most abundant from October to November. Roselle can be picked to make candied flowers. November to April is the time of the sunflower, and white jade radishes can be planted. In summer, you can make mochi and moon peach cake, and in winter you can make preserved vegetables. 3 to 5 people can come together and enjoy five dishes and a soup. The highlight would be the lotus root pork rib soup stewed with lotus root that is abundant in Guanyin. The presence of other Hakka dishes such as braised pork, bamboo shoots, and fried egg with radish make tourists hail this delicious meal as value-for-money. Homestays are set up to provide tourists with a comfortable accommodation.
