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Tanwen Train Station

Located in the Zaoqiao Township of Miaoli, Tanwen Train Station is one of few traditional Japanese wooden stations still in existence along the coastline. It was built in 1922 and had never been renovated, so the very original appearance remains pretty much intact. Due to its hidden location, this minor station is easily overlooked if you are driving along the Provincial Highway No. 1. It has been serving as a flag stop since 2008, and tickets can only be purchased onboard.

Low patronage doesn’t necessarily mean decline. Without hectic crowds of travelers, the quaint Tanwan Station get to enjoy a tranquil location with a vast lush paddy field as its backdrop and live up to the nostalgic memories of many rail buffs out there. Take a moment sitting on the benches, enjoy the loud silence of peace that fills the historic station and imagine the hustle and bustle a century ago.

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Address

Zaoqiao Township, Miaoli County 361, Taiwan (R.O.C.)

Business hours

00:00 - 23:59

Stay

Within 1 hour

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Nearby

Flying Cow Ranch

Located in the Tongxiao Township of Miaoli, Flying Cow Ranch is the best destination for parents to spend some quality time with their little ones. Covering a vast area, the ranch grazes cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits and ducks. Kids can benefit from interaction with these animals on the farm and even get to experience the joy of milking a cow to see where milk really comes from. There is so much to do here, so why not spend the night, either camping or in the cabin, to enjoy the relaxed night under the starry sky?

The ranch can be divided into four different sections dedicated to cows, butterflies, sheep and water landscape. The professional guide will give you an insightful look into the vibrant ecology, and you can benefit from interaction with animals on the ranch. The hands-on activities are extensive and varied, from painting cow figurines to making your own egg pancakes and ice cream. Homemade dairy products are not to be missed here: the rich taste of milk and ice cream as well as the one-of-a-kind pudding balls will only leave you asking for more!

ActivityAttractionsStay

Chateau in the Air

Chateau in the Air (天空之城), hidden in the mountains and forests of Miaoli, is a castle-like living space meticulously created by its owner, using various shades of greenery, ponds, rocks, and iron carvings. It is not just a restaurant; the surrounding scenery changes almost every season to create anticipation for visitors. From the top floor, one can enjoy the deep blue sky and overlook the shimmering lake. The Liyu Lake Reservoir is located just below Chateau in the Air (天空之城). A visit here will make you understand why it is called Chateau in the Air (天空之城).

Admission to Chateau in the Air (天空之城) is $250 per person, with two tickets valued at $100 and $150, totaling $250. The admission ticket can be used individually for consumption inside the ancient castle restaurant. This is not just a visually appealing themed restaurant; the food is also excellent! You can order typical Western-style set meals, pickled pork knuckles, or seafood set meals. If you are vegetarian, they also offer a variety of creative dishes, such as Thai curry, Italian risotto, or hot pot. If you're not very hungry, there are also plenty of flower tea drinks and other beverages for you to enjoy while admiring the scenery.

FoodAttractions

Dahu Strawberry Picking

Dahu Strawberry Picking (大湖採草莓) in Miaoli is the top choice for tourists to pick strawberries, earning it the title of ""Strawberry Kingdom."" Dahu produces 80% of Taiwan's strawberry yield, with three main varieties: Fragrant Strawberry, Abundant Fragrance Strawberry, and Honey Fragrance Strawberry. The best time to visit for strawberry picking is typically from November to April, with the peak season falling between December and February.

The price of strawberries fluctuates depending on the seasonal yield and the condition of the strawberries. During the chilly winter season, there are plenty of options for strawberry picking, so it's recommended to check online beforehand to compare prices. For those interested in picking strawberries, it's advised to visit the farms right when they open, as the first batch usually offers the most and best-quality strawberries. As the day progresses, the quantity and quality of the strawberries available may diminish.

Activity

Lion's Head Mountain Scenic Area

The Lion's Head Mountain Scenic Area (獅頭山風景區) is located in five townships: Sanwan and Nanzhuang in Miaoli, Zhudong in Hsinchu, and Beipu and Emei in Hsinchu. It is part of the Tri-Mountain National Scenic Area and is famous for its resemblance to a lion's head. The area boasts rich tourism resources including natural landscapes, cultural heritage, ecology, and local cuisine. It is also a renowned Buddhist sacred site with numerous temples along its trails.

Lion's Head Mountain is well-known in northern Taiwan for its hiking trails. It used to be an important route between Hsinchu and Miaoli, mainly through the Lion Mountain Ancient Trail spanning Nanzhuang in Miaoli and Emei in Hsinchu. There are two main entrances for hiking, one in Lion's Head Village in Nanzhuang and the other at Sheliaokeng Bridge in She-liao, Hsinchu, connecting several hiking trails. Four ancient trails are particularly worth visiting, including the Lion Mountain Ancient Trail, Shuilian Cave Trail, Tengping Trail, and Liuliao Trail, with the ancient temple settlement along the Lion Mountain Ancient Trail being especially famous and attracting many visitors.

In addition to hiking, the area also attracts many believers to its temples and palaces, such as Tiangong, Quanhua Hall, Kaishan Temple, and Lion Rock Cave (Yuanguang Temple), which are built in harmony with the mountain terrain and exude a solemn and serene atmosphere. The Beipu Old Street area is full of Hakka flavor, while the indigenous culture in the Nanzhuang area adds to the diverse cultural landscape of Miaoli.

Attractions

Flower Home Farm

Essential oil is very settling to the emotional heart and an excellent choice to relieve stress, anxiety and depression, leading to its growing usage in the modern era. For those who suffer from hectic lifestyles, a visit to the one and only essential oil museum in Taiwan will definitely help you relax and unwind.

The Sanyi Township of Miaoli is home to the greatest number of castles in Taiwan, including Château in the Air and Yundong Villa, while Flower Home Farm settled in an oak barrel-shaped castle is a guesthouse and museum with interactive exhibitions that guide you through the making of essential oils. There are only eighteen rooms in total, so booking early is highly recommended.

Having a nice stroll through the aromatic garden that covers an area of three hectares and is alive with an abundance of fragrant herbs and flowers will help uplift and improve your mood. No need to fly all the way to Aix-en-Provence to appreciate a soothing sea of lavender, visiting the lavender garden here will make you feel just like in the south of France. The rainforest-themed restaurant boasts a tropical ambiance and brings a different vibe to Flower Home Farm.

Attractions

Hakka Compound

As 60% of the population is Hakka, the county of Miaoli is a great place to explore the local Hakka culture. Located within LOHAS Tung Blossom Park (桐花樂活公園), Hakka Compound was built in 2010 and originally served as an administration building. However, with the creativity of traditional craftsmen and contemporary architects of our time, this nostalgic courtyard house flaunts a surprisingly harmonious fusion of classical and modern details. No doubt, it has become a well-known landmark and popular tourist spot in Miaoli.

A courtyard house, commonly known as “sanheyuan” (三合院), is the traditional bungalow architecture in the early days of Taiwan. It could accommodate a large, extended family of more than fifteen, which was quite common then. These typical residential houses can still be seen in the countryside today, but most of them are not equipped with modern facilities.

Tung blossoms, also known as “may snow,” are much loved for their appearance of pristine white petals and red filaments with yellow anthers. Every April and May, the Hakka Compound will be drenched in snow white tung flowers, giving a romantic touch to the visit. And it is not just about these eye-dazzling flowers. A visit to the Hakka Compound will also help you better understand the traditional Hakka culture in every aspect.

Attractions