Xi Hai Leisure Agricultural Area Introduction
If you want to fulfill your farming dream, you don't need to own an acre of land! Located at the border of the country, the Xihe Leisure Agricultural Area is a typical example witnessing the agricultural industry entering the "new era" in recent years. Knowledge that could only be "understood" from books can now be experienced firsthand by travelers who can learn how common ingredients go from farm to table through activities like growing watermelons, picking cucumbers, and digging sweet potatoes, thanks to the farmers who "decode" the cultivation process. Moreover, as a major wholesale flower market in Taiwan, a visit wouldn't be complete without wandering through fields of flowers, enjoying gardening, and experiencing the therapeutic charm brought by plants. The so-called "lohas" lifestyle doesn’t require one to look far. Currently, the Xihe Leisure Agricultural Area has several leisure farms, flower farms, and horticultural farms. The main agricultural products in the area, in addition to rice, include a variety of vegetables and fruits known as "three melons and one wheat" (watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet potato, and buckwheat). You can pick up a hoe and try your hand at being a farmer for a day; the newly launched watermelon planting experience is sure to be sold out quickly, allowing urban tourists to transform into country folks and feel the genuine experience of "growing and harvesting by oneself"; collect eggs from the chicken farm, distinguishing good eggs from bad ones can be quite easy; knead dough, ferment, and steam to make your own four-colored steamed buns for extra peace of mind; try your hand at making DIY hand-made caladium soap, where even beginners can enjoy the fun of "soap" making; imagine yourself as a designer, take up a brush, and create a unique straw hat… these unique rural experiences enrich and fulfill your journey. In addition to producing agricultural crops, flowers are also a major product of the Xihe Leisure Agricultural Area. The major cut flower supply areas for Taiwan's three major flower markets—Huwei, Neihu, and Jianguo—are all sourced from the Xihe flower area! The flowers for the Taipei Flower Expo and the Taichung Xinshe Flower Sea Festival also come from here! Flowers bloom year-round in the area, ensuring that visitors will not be disappointed no matter when they come. Whether riding a bicycle along the dike paths, leisurely wandering through the vast fields of orange-yellow chrysanthemums in the autumn, or stepping into sunflower fields, surrounded by blooming flowers, each offers its own joyful experience. The annual Taoyuan Color Calla Lily Season and Taoyuan Flower Festival attract millions of visitors each year to witness the spectacular scenery. Brewing a pot of herbal tea to enjoy with crunchy scones while admiring the flower fields and watching planes take off and land is the most enjoyable way to indulge.
