We were real lucky to get cheap air tickets so our duo and Dad’s off to Taiwan for the very first time. For a return fare of S$120 per pax (include tax and luggage) from Singapore to Taipei, it was a steal even after factoring in the fact that we travelled off-peak.
As usual, Dad’s work schedule was the determining factor in deciding the length of our holiday. So we decided on a short 5-day trip. After deducting 2 days of travel, we enjoyed 3 full days of rejuvenating fun, which was still worth it considering the low cost of travel.
In planning the places to visit, we decided to first and foremost make the trip appealing to the kids. Hence the inclusion of farm stay, theme park and even a ride on the Taiwan high speed rail to satisfy DL and CL’s inquisitiveness, love of nature and high level of activity!
The itinerary for the trip looks like this:
Day 1:
We reached Taiwan in the evening and traveled from Taoyuan Airport to Flying Cow Ranch via private transfer arranged by the Ranch. Flying Cow Ranch (飞牛牧场) is a popular leisure ranch featuring interactive activities with the Ranch animals and DIY activities.
By the time we reached the Ranch we were just in time for dinner before the restaurant closed for the day.
Overnight Flying Cow Ranch
Day 2:
A full day on Flying Cow Ranch as we took 飞牛一号 for a guided introductory trip around the ranch, fed animals and enjoyed DIY activities.
Read more in Our Visits to Flying Cow Ranch
Overnight Flying Cow Ranch
Day 3:
Another night of stay in Flying Cow Ranch. But on Day 3, we booked a taxi (via the Ranch) for 8-hours and traveled around Miaoli County. First we visited Jiang Ma Yuan Agricultural Leisure Area, hoping to pick some fruits. The area has more than 30 sightseeing fruit farms with a variety of fruits available throughout the year. Unfortunately the fruits there were not ripened enough to be picked.
Next, on our taxi driver’s recommendation we visited Zhuolan Agricultural District. This time we managed to pick star fruits and the kids had lots of fun.
Last stop of the day was Shanshuei Organic Rice Farm, where our little ones learnt more on rice cultivation.
Read more about our day in Exploring Taiwan’s Miaoli County
Overnight Flying Cow Ranch
Day 4:
We intentionally chose a longer route to get from Flying Cow Ranch to Leofoo Resort to give our little ones an experience travelling on Taiwan’s HSR (high speed rail). Instead of heading north, we took a taxi southwards to Taichung and before taking a HSR up north to Hsinchu. Not an ideal route definitely but the kids enjoyed the ride together with a rail bento lunch experience.
Overnight Leofoo Resort
We spent the rest of the day at Leofoo Village Theme Park. I guess we visited during a off-peak day so there were few visitors within the park. We managed to get on to our rides quickly with short queues or at times, no queue. The camel rides were memorable, as well as the ‘cycling ride’ above their tiger enclosure.
Overnight Leofoo Resort
Day 5: Checked out from Leofoo Resort and headed home
With this itinerary, everyone had an enjoyable trip.
Here’s a quick summary of our 5D4N in Taipei:
Day 1: Reached Flying Cow Ranch at night
Day 2: Flying Cow Ranch
Day 3: Miaoli (Jiang Ma Yuan Agricultural Leisure Area, Zhuolan Agricultural District, Shanshuei Organic Rice Farm)
Day 4: Taichung HSR ride, Leofoo Village Theme Park
Day 5: Checked out from Leofoo Resort and headed home
Thanks to the cooling weather, getting Dad and the kids out of the resort rooms was effortless. The contrast between their enthusiasm displayed during this trip and the earlier one in March to Bangkok was as stark as the weather we experienced!
The highlight of the trip to DL and CL was unanimously our visit and stay in Flying Cow Ranch. You can say they have fallen in love with the place as they have been dreaming of a return visit the moment we left the ranch.
P.S. We’re making a return visit in December 2016. Stay tuned for updates on our 2nd visit.
Updated (Jan 2017): Read more about our December 2016 trip via this link.
How did you get from one plc to another eg flying cow ranch to leofoo? Any recommendation of reliable and good driver?
Hi Janet,
We took the HSR from Flying Cow Ranch to Leofoo. Not ideal since Flying Cow Ranch was in between Taichung and Hsinchu HSR stations. But we included the train ride for the kids’ experience. For single trips, such as from the Ranch to Taichung HSR station, we got the Ranch to help arrange taxi. From Hsinchu station, we took a street hail taxi.
We booked a driver for our 2nd family trip in 2016. You may wish to contact our driver Mr Hong at Mobile:+886 927005670. His other contact details can be found in the following link: 台灣金典車旅 Taiwan Classicai.