Hsi-Hai Leisure Agricultural Zone Introduction
Dreaming of farming without owning an acre of land! The Xihai Leisure Agricultural Area, located at the gateway to the country, is a typical example of agriculture entering the "new generation" in recent years. Knowledge that used to be understood only through books can now be experienced firsthand by travelers, who can learn how common ingredients make their way from the farm to the table through activities such as growing watermelons, harvesting cucumbers, and digging sweet potatoes, thanks to the farmers who "decode" the farming process. Not only that, but visiting the wholesale base of the flower market in Taiwan is a must, where you can stroll through fields of flowers and engage in gardening, fully enjoying the therapeutic charm that plants bring. The so-called "Lohas" lifestyle is actually not far out of reach. Currently, the Xihai Leisure Agricultural Area hosts several leisure farms, flower farms, and horticultural farms. In addition to rice, the main agricultural products in the area also include a variety of vegetables and fruits known as "three melons and one wheat” (watermelon, cantaloupe, sweet potato, and buckwheat). Why not pick up a hoe and try being a farmer for a day? The watermelon planting experience, which sells out instantly, allows urban travelers to transform into rural folks and feel the reality of "growing and harvesting their own." Gathering eggs at a chicken farm makes it easy to differentiate between good and bad eggs; kneading dough, fermentation, and steaming to make colorful steamed buns brings more peace of mind; DIYing delicate and easy-to-clean handmade taro soaps is a fun experience for beginners; imagine yourself as a designer, take up a brush, and create a unique straw hat... the rural wonders enrich and fulfill your journey. In addition to agricultural production, flowers are also a prominent product of the Xihai Leisure Agricultural Area. The major cut flower supply areas in Taiwan, including those in Huwei, Neihu, and Jiankuo, all come from the Xihai flower district! Flowers for the Taipei Flower Expo and the Taichung New Sheqiao Flower Festival also come from this place! The area has blooming flowers all year round, ensuring visitors will never be disappointed no matter when they visit. Whether cycling along the dike roads, leisurely wandering through vast fields of orange and yellow chrysanthemums, or walking into sunflower fields and feeling the romance of being surrounded by flowers, each experience offers its own joy. The annual Taoyuan Colorful Calla Lily Festival and Taoyuan Flower Festival attract millions of visitors each year to witness the splendid scenery. Brewing a pot of herbal tea paired with crispy pancakes while enjoying the flower fields and watching planes take off and land is the ultimate way to appreciate the beauty.
