Recently, Yoyo has been getting close to nature and transforming into a mountain enthusiast. She loves hiking and dreams of staying on the mountains. Earlier this spring, she stayed in the Hinoki Cabin at Taipingshan. The pure concentration of natural phytoncides is more fragrant than anything else. Plus, the entire wooden cabin exudes the aroma of hinoki wood—it’s impossible not to fall in love after just one stay! A few days after returning to Taipei, Yoyo still had an itch to challenge herself by staying in the more challenging “Bianbai Cabin.” We planned our trip to coincide with the two days before the Dragon Boat Festival, and unexpectedly, two weeks prior, someone released a reservation for the Bianbai Cabin. How could we resist such a stroke of luck? Thanks to the gods of fortune, we finally fulfilled our wish to stay in the Bianbai Cabin.
Departed around 10:00 in the morning and first headed to Zhuangwei to dine at a well-known local restaurant called ‘掌上明珠’ (translated as ‘Pearl in the Palm’)—a restaurant without a menu. After a satisfying meal, we worried about encountering the rainy season and drove straight to Taipingshan. We successfully arrived at a building marked as ‘Taipingshan Lodge’ (not the accommodation area), which serves as the administrative and service center for the entire Taipingshan National Forest Area
Before checking in to the various types of wooden cabins at Taipingshan, we also completed the check-in registration procedures here.
Next to us, there was a small shop that resembled the convenience stores we frequented during our student days. Before checking in, we stocked up on various snacks, instant noodles, and drinks there. After 8:00 PM, Taipingshan becomes pitch dark, with no other shops in sight. It truly lives up to its status as a nationally protected mountain, allowing us to completely escape light pollution and noise.
The purple maple trees flanking the central staircase in Taroko National Forest Recreation Area are currently in full bloom. On clear days, the blue sky accentuates the beauty of the lush purple maple branches and leaves. As you climb the stairs, you’ll be treated to a visual feast of red autumn foliage. This scene is truly a seasonal gem in the mountain. 🍁🌳
As you ascend the central staircase, you’ll pass by the Cloud Sea Café, restaurants, and the Red Cypress House. Many of the rare and exclusive views on Mount Hehuan unfold along both sides of the central staircase.
In this season, the purple maple trees showcase a delightful array of hues along the staircase. The exquisite imitation maple leaves near the café are truly breathtaking! 🍁🌳
f you continue heading up towards the Bong Bong Train Station, you’ll see signs pointing to the Cypress Cottage.
Amidst a row of cypress cottages, you’ll find the Tai Ping Mountain staff dormitory, and inexplicably, it exudes a sense of tranquility.
Having strolled past a line of wooden dormitories, the eagerly anticipated Cypress Cottage finally came into view. To my delight, it turned out to be even more spacious and charming than I had envisioned. This secluded wooden villa exudes a sense of tranquility, perfect for a relaxing vacation. Its ideal distance from other guests ensures privacy, making it a perfect fit for Yoyo’s taste.
Mount Taiping, situated in Taiwan, played a crucial role as a timber source during the early Japanese colonial period. Whenever I stay there, it feels like I’ve been transported to Japan. The window frames, constructed from a row of cypress wood, evoke a fleeting sense of being in Kyoto.
The entrance also boasts a private royal garden, where you can observe bees buzzing around flowers, diligently collecting honey. Experiencing this natural spectacle right at your doorstep feels truly luxurious.
Anticipation builds as I approach the entrance. The room’s size exceeds my expectations. The central area invites guests to use it freely, with the living room on the left and the bedroom on the right. Sliding open the doors reveals three interconnected rooms, creating a spacious and seamless flow.
Ideal for family outings, children staying here will undoubtedly have a great time. They can jump around freely without concern for disturbing others, as the neighboring rooms are quite distant. During this vacation, Yoyo and her husband brought their second child, and the three of them are relishing the tranquil ambiance of this cozy mountain retreat. Even their typically energetic son has adopted a more leisurely pace.
On the low cypress wood table, guests will discover red tea and green tea bags, ready for their enjoyment. An electric kettle is also conveniently provided.
Living here provides comfort for several reasons. From this vantage point, you’ll notice that the room boasts ample ceiling height and excellent ventilation. The floor-to-ceiling windows are equipped with screens to keep mosquitoes and insects at bay, and when you slide them open, fresh outdoor air streams in. Having previously stayed in Japanese-style rooms akin to those in Kyushu and Jiaoxi Yilan, we’ve seamlessly adapted to this bedding arrangement where we make our own beds. While some people might find bed-making a hassle, for us, it feels invigorating, and we experience particularly restful sleep.
The host was very considerate and provided an electric blanket. During our visit in early summer, the nights were still quite chilly, so we needed to use cotton blankets. My husband is particularly sensitive to the cold, so the electric blanket came in handy right away.
The bathroom here has a shower, but no bathtub. If you want to soak in a bath, you can head down to the Jiuzhihze Hot Springs. Tai Ping Shan Zhuang is an eco-friendly hotel, so they don’t supply toothbrushes, toothpaste, or big bath towels. But don’t worry, they do offer basic shampoo and shower gel. Just remember to bring your own skincare products!
The weather is still early, so my husband, who enjoys a cup of coffee in the afternoon, and I went to Yunhai Coffee together for a hot latte. Not only does drinking coffee here on Tai Ping Shan feel refreshing, but the beans are also quite good (no jitters after drinking). Don’t forget to use the coupon!
The dinner arrangement here follows a set-menu style, where a dedicated staff member delivers individually portioned meals directly to your table. The dishes are adjusted based on seasonal ingredients. While it may not feature extravagant delicacies, the meals are actually nutritious, well-balanced, and delicious.
The next day’s breakfast is self-service, and it still offers a healthy variety of vegetables. They also provide soft-boiled eggs, white rice porridge, multigrain porridge, black tea, and hot coffee. ☕
After our morning exercise, the three of us returned to the room and enjoyed a cup of hot tea. I read a novel while my husband and son relaxed by scrolling through their phones. We’re getting ready to check out at 11:00 and head back to Yilan City for some delicious food. I’m sure that in a few days, I’ll be urging my husband to go online and book a room for our summer vacation!
