Travelling in and around Chingjing late Feb

I%26#39;m going for a night%26#39;s stay in Chingjing in 1-2 weeks%26#39; time. Thanks to experts who%26#39;ve listed suggestions, I%26#39;m still looking through the potential minsu to stay. This trip is rather last minute but hope there should be no problem booking accomodation during this low season?

I%26#39;m intending to do Taipei-Chingjing-Taichung-Taipei can will appreciate if anyone can advise on the feasibility of this route.

- Depart Taipei to Puli / Puli to Chingjing

- Arrive Chingjing; stay overnight one night

- Leave Chingjing in the afternoon for Taichung

- Drop by Taichung for shopping

- Return to Taipei late night by bus

How long does it take from Chingjing to Taichung on the return leg? I saw many Chingjing accomodation actually ask for a deposit. Will they make it an exception for foreigners? And is pickup typically available from where the bus stops?

Besides the recommended Green Pasture, what are the activities that is suggested (besides hiking)? I read that sheep shearing is only available on weekends except during winter vacation (which is year end?). The earliest I can reach Chingjing is Sunday... When is the earliest time i can possibly reach Chingjing from Taipei?

Thanks in advance for all the expert advice!

Travelling in and around Chingjing late Feb

Hi,

I juz went to ChingJing last Nov. I took the e-go bus. Bus fare to Chingjing - twn $2600 (2 pax) on sun. No need to change bus at Puli - fuss free. Understand that sat bus is more ex.

Book the ticket in advance in the website and they will send u a form to fill up (state payment when board bus). Pls email back to them after filling up. Payment made when u board the bus.

Book bus ticket: http://taiwanbus.emmm.tw/?ptype=info. Bus departs at 645am. Suggest that you stayed near Taipei train station the nite before departure to chingjing.

You will reach chingjing abt 1130am. I called the Starry resort to pick us after alighting at Clouds resort.

I stayed at Starry (http://starry.nantou.com.tw)

觀星園景觀山莊. No deposit reqd. Juz email to them. It%26#39;s located on top of ChingJing, nice view. Only twn1620. Suggest that you stay 2 nights in chingjing. Can go for Hehuan san - beautiful scenary. I think you can see snow now.

The boss at Starry can provide free pickup and dropoff at green green grass. Ask them to plan your itinerary. They provided free steamboat dinner for foreigners.

Since Starry was quite high in Chingjing, i decided to stay another nite near the busy area, 7-11, starbucks. So I also stayed at 清境愛力家生活村 (Energy). However, i would suggest that you stay in http://www.shangrila-resort.com.tw/intro.htm. It%26#39;s next to Energy. The decor is quite nice.

I%26#39;m not sure abt chingjing to taichung, but you can ask Starry boss.

Rgds,

Low

Travelling in and around Chingjing late Feb

Thanks Low, really appreciate your advice

I%26#39;ve sent an email to Starry and see what they say!

Can I check what is your itinerary like for your 2 days%26#39; stay? Unfortunately I only have 2 days free this trip for Chingjing and unable to make it a 3D2N. What can we do at Mt. Hehuan?

Is the temperature lower at Chingjing lower than in the city areas?

Hi,

Yes, temperature is lower at Chingjing. Mt hehuan is even cooler - abt 5C. It%26#39;s a half day trip. The boss happens to be free and brought us up to hehuan san. We paid him abt twn1500. It%26#39;s very scenic at hehuan san cos can see sea clouds. I think you may see snow.

After we reached chingjing on 1st day at 1130am, the boss send us to the green green land abt 2pm. However, it was raining so the sheep show was cancelled. We explored the area around there.

The nx morning, since it was a fine day, we went to mt hehuan at 10am and return abt 1pm. You may want to go to your nx taichung after 2 or 3pm.

Low

Thanks for sharing. That sounds very good! Yes your suggested line-up is what I%26#39;d love to do... I%26#39;ve sent an email to Starry and see what they say. Hope there are rooms available for us! :)

If its not too much to ask, what are the recommended visits? As in exploring in and around Green Green, the must-do and must-see activities?

Hi,

For green green, i think the sheep show shd not miss. (although i didnt manage to see)

Juz explore around green green, u can see many sheeps roaming around and can get the sheep food and feed the sheeps.

There are some walk routes that u can explore. I like the walk route near the Energy resort. Maybe can ask Starry boss to recommend the walking routes.

Thanks for the prompt reply!

The e-go service looks reasonable price too. Think i will try that out too.

Appreciate all the advice! :)

Hi,

I can send you some pixs of Chingjing over the wkend. Send me your email address.

Sure i send u a message with my email. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and taken a load off my last minute planning! :)

Dear sflow, may I know if the bus stops in between for short breaks or breakfast? Where does it actually stops in Chingjing? Do we have to get down at Clouds Resort if we want to get to Starry resort?

What about the return trip from Chingjing to Taipei? Do you know where to wait for the bus and how to get there? Any good and cheap restaurants around that area? Sorry for asking so many questions. Just want to have some details for planning purposes. Appreciate some advice. Thanks!

Hi Ck-mal,

There are 2 stops from taipei to chingjing. One of the stop has something like 7-11 in singapore. No stop at Puli.

I guess you need to bring your own breakfast. Each stop about 15mins.

If you go to this page(…nantou.com.tw/taiwanbus/bus-order-form.htm), you can select your departure destination and arrival destination. I chose cloud resort cos it%26#39;s nearer to Starry.

For my return trip to taipei, i chose guobin guesthouse cos Energy resort was nearer. For return trip, there%26#39;s a half hr stop at Puli for shopping.

As for nice food, no special recommendation. I liked the steamboat at Starry, must-try. If you wish to try other food, pls ask the minsu there.

Low