Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
And there is more: once a typical mid-altitude rice-growing area, Sixty Stone
Mountain (
Liùshí Dàn Shān; 952m
) became a centre for growing day (tiger) lilies(jīn-
zhēn)a few decades ago. The orange-coloured lilies are popular with Taiwanese
consumers who eat them fresh or dried in tea drinks and a host of other products.
During the harvest time from August to early September the plateau is carpeted
with orange blossoms and this already dreamy landscape turns pure wonderland.
There are a number of guesthouses at the top of the mountain should you wish
to stay the night. Try
Wangyou Yuan Guesthouse
(Wàngyōu yuán mínsù xiǎo zhú; 03-882
1368;
http://60stonedaylily.hlbnb.tw
;
d/tw NT$2000/3000, 20% discounts midweek)
if you want to
make a reservation during the busy day lily season.
You need your own transport to get here. The turn-off on Hwy 9 is just past Yuli
at Km308.5. Look for the sign reading 'Lioushihdan Mountain'.
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Loshan (Luoshan) Scenic Area
Just south of Sixty Stone Mountain, in an area called the rice barn of Taiwan, lies this
stunning valley (Lóshān) that Hakka farmers have transformed into the centre of the or-
ganic rice industry in Hualien. Loshan is rural Taiwan at its best: bucolic splendour run-
ning in every direction, with green rice fields lying between not just one but two dramat-
ic mountain ranges. Ride up the main road through the valley toward the steep and
densely forested Coastal Mountains and minute by minute, curve by curve, the landscape
changes. A few stops to make include the quaintly photogenic villages, the 120m-long
Luoshan Waterfall
(
Lóshān Pùbù
) and a number of small bubbling mud volcanoes.
The
visitor centre
( 03-882 1725; 8.30am-5.30pm)
runs a free campground. Call
ahead (Chinese only) to reserve a tent platform. You can also rent bikes for free here.
The centre can help with homestays and with joining a group to make the area's speci-
ality cuisine: 'volcanic tofu'. A good nearby option for sleeping is at the spacious
Luntian Recreation Area
(Lǜ Hǎitiān Jì Dùjià Cūn; 03-884 6099;
http://greencurb.hlbnb.tw
;
d/tw incl breakfast NT$3040/3840, 25% discounts midweek; )
. The duplex cabins feature a
high level of comfort, and an open airy design that allows natural light to flood in. To get
to the area turn right off Hwy 9 just past Km309 and follow the signs for about a kilo-
metre.
If you are looking for a quick bite, the giant agricultural association building just north
of the Loshan entrance has good lunchbox meals for NT$80 to NT$100.
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