Happy New Year! What did we do on the last day of 2022?

We traveled back south to meet my parents-in-law and sister-in-law for lunch. They found an Italian restaurant in Changhua. Actually, they had planned to go there a few weeks ago, but it was fully booked until today. The food was nice, with great pizza, gnocchi, and steaks.

Afterwards, we went around Tianwei Gardens. I had seen marjoram before but regretted not buying it at that time, so I was hoping to find it again.

Later on, my parents-in-law decided to stay longer in Changhua, so we went to the Rice Museum before heading back to their place. We didn't do anything special on this day and didn't watch fireworks either.

A&G La fusione

We also took a walk around Tianwei Highway Gardens.

Rice Museum (稻米博物館)

Finally, we visited the Rice Museum. Lianmi Enterprise built the "Zhongxing Castle" in Pitou Township, the birthplace of Zhongxing rice, in order to create a rice-themed tourist destination. It is the only rice-themed tourist factory in Taiwan and the fifth museum in the world that introduces rice culture.

Rice is the most fundamental economic crop in Taiwan, which is based on agriculture. The rice produced in Taiwan is currently exported to Asian countries, the United Kingdom, and North America.

In the green Pitou Township, there stands the "Zhongxing Gubao" that resembles a European castle. The baroque architecture is adorned with exotic decorations, creating a contrast with the local rice culture. The first floor houses the lobby and merchandise store, where visitors can discover various exquisite and delicious rice products. The second floor is the tourist factory, divided into eight themed halls. Through the factory windows, you can witness the magnificent sight of 28 rice warehouses operating simultaneously. The museum showcases ancient rice-making utensils and "glutinous rice walls" built using traditional methods, recreating the atmosphere of a traditional family dining room from the 1960s. It evokes warm memories for the elderly and allows the younger generation to experience the life and culture of agricultural Taiwan.

The Zhongxing Gubao Rice Museum has established the "Daoxiang Academy" to host DIY experience activities and provide visitors with interactive experiences. There are various activities such as making homemade popcorn and handcrafted rice balls, allowing tourists to enjoy making delicious rice snacks. The museum also invites professional teachers to explain rice cake cooking techniques and share rice cooking knowledge with the visitors.

Address:

1. A&G La Fusione: 522彰化縣田尾鄉民生路一段14號
2. Rice Museum: 523彰化縣埤頭鄉

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Yunlin and Changhua: Cactus Gardens

Changhua, a charming city in Taiwan, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and garden lovers. With its numerous gardens and vibrant flora, visitors are spoiled for choice when deciding which botanical treasures to explore. In the month of April, a special treat awaits as orchids grace the gardens with their stunning blooms, creating a spectacle of natural beauty. 

As we wandered through the garden's winding paths, we were greeted by a myriad of cacti in various shapes, sizes, and shades of green. Some stood tall and proud, while others sprawled across the ground, forming a mesmerizing tapestry of prickly wonders.

Additionally, we had the opportunity to visit a cactus garden and attend a bustling weekend event in Douliou, where an array of colorful cacti stole the show.

We also made our way to Douliou, where a lively event awaited us. The streets were bustling with stalls adorned with an array of vibrant cacti. Cacti enthusiasts and curious onlookers alike flocked to the event, eager to explore the diverse collection of these intriguing plants. From petite prickly pears to towering columnar cacti, there was something for everyone to admire and take home. 

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Changhua Travel: Visiting Sheng-Yuan Cactus Garden in Tianwei

Tianwei is famous for its 1,000-hectare garden area. I have been there a few times, but I have only visited a few of the popular gardens. Last year during this season, we visited a garden with blooming Bougainvilleas.

Sheng-Yuan Cactus Garden (生源仙人掌)

Tianwei Highway Garden in Changhua houses some special places, including the Sheng-yuan Cactus Garden. This garden specializes in cultivating cacti, and you will see hundreds of them here. While not many flowers can be seen during this season, the cacti in bloom are still beautiful. They come in different colors such as pink, red, white, and yellow.

Each cactus is a flowering plant, but their blooming depends on their age and the care they receive. Some cacti start to bloom when they are over 30 years old. The lighting conditions, watering, and fertilization are crucial factors. Generally, smaller cacti are more likely to have flowers in bloom.

Some of the cacti are truly unique, and I have never seen them before. Some grow really tall, bigger than people, and some even resemble trees. These larger plants grow outside in soil, and some of them produce flowers and fruits. Smaller species are grown in greenhouses. Many cacti have peculiar shapes and are not commonly found in other gardens.

Almost all fleshy cactus fruits are edible. The fruits can be preserved in syrup or dried, and the syrup can even be fermented to produce an alcoholic drink. One of the most popular cactus species grown in Asia is Hylocereus undatus, commonly known as Dragon Fruit. Additionally, certain species of cacti contain psychoactive agents that can cause changes in mood, perception, and cognition due to their effects on the brain. The use of some cacti species has a long history, and one of the most important is Opuntia, from which scale insects produce cochineal, a red dye.

There is also something special to try at Tianwei - cactus ice cream. Although the cactus used for these desserts is not grown in Tianwei but brought from Penghu Island, the flavor is really nice. I believe it is made from Dragon Fruit.

Behind the building, you will see a huge greenhouse where all the cacti are planted. However, we didn't go inside. We visited the area where the cacti were ready for sale, and there were hundreds of them, each with its own unique shapes and colors. Some were very strange-looking.

See also: Bougainvilleas Garden 

Address:

522彰化縣田尾鄉公園路一段269號生源仙人掌

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Changhua Travel: Tianwei Highway Garden - Colorful Bougainvillea

Tianwei Highway Garden (田尾公路花園)

Tianwei Highway Garden is a large botanical recreational area in Changhua, Taiwan. This place is known for producing the most varieties of plants. Tianwei Highway Garden covers an area of 1000 hectares and is located along provincial highway 1. The gardens span two townships - Tianwei and Yongjing.

During autumn, bougainvilleas become incredibly colorful. Their flower-like leaves can have different colors such as white, pink, purple, and orange. This plant can grow to be quite tall, reaching up to 12 meters.

If you visit any flower exhibition, you can be sure that the flowers come from Tianwei. In Tianwei, you will find numerous gardens, some of which are incredibly large and specialize in specific types of flowers. You can visit orchid gardens, cactus gardens with over 500 different species, bougainvillea gardens, and many others.

Many people in Tianwei plant different kinds of flowers, trees, and fruit trees, resulting in a vibrant mix of around 100 different plants in one place. You can either buy flowers or simply take a leisurely walk among them, as entry to the gardens is free. Along the streets, you will also find food stalls and souvenir shops. You can find everything you need for your garden, including shops with plenty of decorations, although some of them can be quite expensive. Restaurants and cafes are also available in the area, and some gardens offer special food items like cactus or jabuticaba (Brazilian grapetree) ice creams.

Renting a bike to ride around the gardens is a great idea, especially during the summer when it can be quite hot. The gardens usually open at 8 am and close around sunset. Even at night, you can still enjoy a special view created by lamps that help chrysanthemum flowers grow. If you're a fan of chrysanthemums, the best place to see them is at the Chrysanthemum Festival in Tongluo, Miaoli.

See also: Tianwei - Shengyuan Cactus Garden

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Address:

522彰化縣田尾鄉民族路一段156號田尾公路花園

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