Rotary International Group

Toucheng Farm was graced with five American visitors, all members of the Rotary Group Study Exchange. They were accompanied by the President, Mr. Anton Ku, and other members of the Taoyuan Rotary Club. They stayed for a half day visit last April 28, 2009.

They all joined the activities offered by Toucheng Farm including picking fresh, organic yellow tomatoes, kumquats, citrus, etc.

Here are some pictures taken as they explore the comfortable, clean, picturesque scenery of Toucheng Farm. Mailani took more pictures, Megan, tell me how you feel, OK?

Toucheng Farm is a member of Taiwan Hostelling Association and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation.

Please visit www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp for more information.

"Love birds" from Singapore

Have you ever been in love? "When you are in love, it's the loveliest night of the year!".. so the song goes... Joreen and Cris surfed the net before they visited Toucheng Farm. And last April 28Th was just the perfect date! They felt the warmth of the employees and visitors around, plus the cool, fresh environment of Toucheng Farm. Besides joining all the activities offered, they also savored the delicious traditional Chinese cuisine and snacks, Cris had a close encounter with the Formosa Blue Magpie, which mistook him as an intruder to its nest and newly hatched chicks!

This "love birds" from Singapore will surely remember those memorable memories and as they travel to another destination, Toucheng Farm"s will continue to create a smile on their young faces.

Good luck, Joreen and Cris!

please visit: www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp

Little Farmers at the Farm

A bi-lingual (Chinese-English) speaking kindergarten School from Taipei suburban area brought some of their students to Toucheng Farm. These children experienced the cool, pollution- free environment and relaxing atmosphere of the Farm with their teachers, this weekend.

Who says we can only play or sing or dance?, We too, can do the Farmer's job even for just 2 days!



It was a rare experience for these fortunate children, which could imprint in their young minds a lasting memory. Here are the pictures I collected and share with you:


while feeding the water buffaloes.



As they collect fresh eggs from the chicken coop.




while feeding the goats






or "singing" along with the turkeys!






Can you tell who's the real "scarecrow"?





While cheering for their teacher as she re-plant rice seedlings in the rice paddy.





while erecting a kiln ( dry mud oven).



or building a fire to roast eggs, sweet potatoes or whole chicken, underneath.




After a tired morning from the field,they are ready for a sumptuous lunch and a farewell group picture.



Toucheng Farm is a member of the Hostelling Association of Taiwan and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation, usually in a friendly environmental atmosphere. For more information, visit our website: http://www.tcfarm.com.tw/ or call 886 39 772222.

The International students of National Central University in Taiwan

Look at these different faces, races, cultures, religions, etc .. but wearing the same "costume". Here they were at Toucheng Farm in Taiwan. Although they came from different countries of : Brazil, Belize, China, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Paraguay, Saint Vincent, Tahiti, United States of America, Vietnam, etc. They acted, felt, thought like a real farmer for 2 days!

They were at Toucheng Farm last March 21 - 22, 2009 for 2days and 1 night activities. It was so interesting and exciting to communicate with these young people in a common spoken language - English! They were so full of enthusiasm, energetic and curious.

Here are some of the pictures taken as they experienced in a first- hand manner the art of planting rice and patiently understanding the Farmer's hardship as he cultivate rice, so that there is enough rice for consumption in every dining table.

They must be singing: "planting rice is never fun, you stay all day under the sun!"


or build a kiln (dry mud oven) myself !

But a cup of milk tea, after a tired day, can dry up my perspiration away!

There were other activities, too:

Now I can make ropes out of straw!

Roof making or water transporting

or Green bag printing! Cool!

Come to Toucheng Farm and you, too, can enjoy these memorable moments!

Toucheng Farm is a member of The Hostelling Association of Taiwan and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation usually in a friendly environment.

Visit http://www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp for more information.

In the Farm

Last April 14th, some medical students from the University of Singapore, spent their weekend at Toucheng Farm. Six active, gentle, handsome young men! Look at them! Many young women will pretend sick just to get their attention!

Here they are busy, but happy decorating the bamboo crane (DIY). Goodluck, Singapore future medical doctors!

At this time of the year, fruits and flowers decorate the surroundings of Toucheng Farm. They are in full bloom and in abundance. Just to give you an idea, here's some of the pictures. Come to Toucheng Farm and gather some to taste, or enjoy the beauty of the entire surroundings.You can also bring some home to share with friends and relatives.

These crunchy golden yellow mini tomatoes.

or these sweet, juicy and ripe mulberries;

How about the attractive reddish-pink azaleas?

or the purple Tibouchina grandiflora, also called Princess flower.

For more information please visit www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp

Summer night "spirits"

At Toucheng Farm, spring and summer nights are not only limited to BBQ or sky lanterns, there are fascinating light-emitting insects flying by the mountain side, waiting for you, - fireflies or glow worms!

A half hour break from your delicious BBQ corn-on-the cob or grilled chicken wings to watch this night "spirits" is indeed rewarding!
Toucheng Farm's fireflies, are the aquatic specie Luciola ficta olivier, which are very numerous here. They become an entertaining sight at this season of the year.

Why do they live here in abundance? Because here, the water is fresh, clean and clear. Besides, they feed on a snail which also live here and grows abundantly.

The presence of countless fireflies (or butterflies,etc.) in an area, is an indicator of the state of the environment.

To sustain their presence and life, we have to understand why they survive here and what eliminates them.
1st, their habitat: the fresh, and clean water of the Farm, plus the abundant snails.
2Nd: pesticides kills and diminish their numbers. Here in the Farm, no pesticides or chemical fertilizer are used.
3rd: no artificial lights in the mountain area, so as to attract more fireflies which makes them visible to tourists.

The warm and humid temperature of late spring and summer is the perfect time for watching these spectral luminescence insects.

Fireflies are interesting nocturnal objects, not only for children, but casts some spell to many photographers, artists, scientists or historians.
Rabindranath Tagore wrote "The fireflies, twinkling among the leaves, makes the stars wonder".
A vice chairman of the Firefly Conservation Association also wrote " They float like night spirits amid the darkness, rekindling a sense of wonder. Hopefully, they will always illuminate our evening skies with their enchanting beauty".

But a warning: The extinction of some creatures like fireflies in our environment, may eventually affect mankind's fate!

We can learn lessons from Toucheng Farm on how to conserve and protect our living environment.

Our website has pictures of the transformation of the life cycle of a firefly. The pictures I have taken are too dark nor too far to identify them to include in this blog, sorry.

Toucheng Farm is a member of the Hostelling Association of Taiwan and Hostelling International, the largest
network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation usually in an environmentally friendly atmosphere.
Surf the net www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp to get more information. or call 886 39 772222

Toucheng Farm at springtime

Toucheng Farm at springtime is never a dull place! While walking around the Farm, one can regularly catch a glimpse of the Formosa Blue Magpie (Urocissa Caerulea). It was voted as Taiwan national bird, but is not officially announced. They are now building their nests among the trees, preparing to lay eggs. Their nests are high, safe enough for human encounters. I can't reach a higher place to get a closer picture.

Formosa Blue Magpie is sometimes called "the long-tailed mountain lady". Another author described it as a "long-tailed fairy of the forest".They have a longer tail than their European counterpart.

This is a colorful bird, which makes them so attractive. Red - its bill, feet and legs; Black - its head, neck and breast; its plumage is dark blue to purple. While its iris is yellowish. It could be very noisy with its high pitch cackles of kyak, kyak,kyak!

To see this fascinating bird, come to Toucheng Farm and you will see a flock of five to ten at a time!

Another attraction in the Farm, is the Parasol leaf tree (Macaranga Tanarius). It is a common sight in the mountain and now in full bloom. they are cultivated in tropical regions all over the world. Look at these two trees, both are of the same species, but why is the one at the right has no flowers? Do you know why? Trees have males and females, too! The female tree blooms green-yellowish flowers in spring and has a heart-shaped

foliage. Interesting indeed! Next time you come to Toucheng Farm make sure to identify this special tree. In Chinese it is named "blood" tree, as it "cries" a red juice when a branch is cut.

Toucheng Farm is member of the Taiwan Hostelling Association and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation since 1986.

The website is www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp or tel. no. 886 39 772222

Suggestions for an exciting, healthy and safe summer

Do you have any plan for the coming summer? Whatever it is, I have some suggestions for you.

The north-east coast of Yilan County can offer to anyone, young and old alike, a variety of activities in a safe, exciting and healthy manner.

I spent a night at Toucheng Farm, a hostel with comfortable rooms and meals included, in a reasonable price, and a walking distance to the coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. After participating in all activities of the Farm, I was curious of the other scenario's around the area and these are what I found:

Botanists will have to spend a week or more at Toucheng Farm, to really identify all the trees, grasses or herbs growing around the mountain, Toucheng Farm has numerous specimens for that.

Going to the beach, which is just a walking distance from the Farm, I caught this sight: young people learning the skills of surfing! It's only the end of spring, how much more during summer? What if you like snorkeling? Great! There are colorful fishes swimming around and some corrals underneath if you are a scuba diving lover!

See these yacht? they can tour you around the Turtle mountain isle or watch whales or dolphins at summertime which occasionally jumps out of the blue sea, to the excitement of spectators! Interested? The Wu shir Port, where the yacht are docked is just 10 minutes away from Toucheng Farm!

There are sandy beaches around the area, where water sports like beach volleyball or badminton can be played, or just lie down sunbathing or fishing along while the children are happily making sand castles.

If you are of the religious type, temples of various sizes abound here, with intricate architectures and Deities you'll find interesting. They are situated along the coastal highway very close to the Farm.

Hikers will delight the walking trails at the nearby mountainous area, many of them have historical background and memories of Taiwanese ancestors. Many former Yilan residents bring their children here to retell their stories.

If you are culturally minded, a Lanyang ( Yilan 's original name) Museum is almost complete for operation, it will tell you what you want to know about Yilan County. A Lion Museum is also a short distance away, whose founder has been collecting lion- related statues for 30 years and are on display. A Crab Museum is closer, where crabs of different sizes can be viewed, alive!

Here is the Pei Kuan Tidal Park, with telescopic instruments provided for a better view of the Turtle Mountain Isle, a must-see attraction in Yilan County, which can also be viewed at Toucheng Farm platform.

Anglers will find varieties of fishes of their choice around the north-east coast, plus the luxury of the panoramic view of the majestic Turtle Mountain Isle, while patiently waiting for catch.

A group of hikers just passed by, fully dressed with attractive vest, complete with head wear and backpacks. You, too, can enjoy biking while breathing the sea breeze or stop by to take a closer look of the Turtle Mountain Isle.

For epicures who want to savor local Taiwanese cuisine especially fresh delicious seafood. There are good restaurants nearby. Four fishing harbors are along the coast to guarantee the freshness of the fisherman's daily catch. Toucheng Farm has a winery right inside the compound, where one can sip a special fermented fruit wine while delighting the seafood meals prepared by experienced chefs.

None of these interests you? Many physicians will recommend a walk around the lush mountain area, just to breathe fresh air, or listen to the birds or cricket singing as a therapy for a lonely depressed patient.

Toucheng Farm is a member of the Hostelling Association of Taiwan and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation since 1986. It has been serving guests who likes to explore nature at their own pace.

Whatever interest you have, inquire at the Toucheng Farm, they are most willing to assist you to plan a pleasant and fruitful summer.

Here is the website: http://www.tcfarm.com.tw/ or call 886 93 772222.

Then you can guarantee an unforgettable summer!

The prolific bamboo at Toucheng Farm

Inside Toucheng Farm's vast land of more than 100 hectares, is a bamboo forest. The most numerous of its species is the Phyllostacys makinoi hayata, (named after the Japanese botanist Dr. Makinoi).

During springtime around April to May, these bamboo grows abundant edible shoots, and it is the perfect time for harvesting them. Every year, visitors flock the bamboo forest to get the first taste of these nutritious and delicious shoots in the Farm and bring home their bountiful harvest to share with relatives and friends.

Are bamboos trees or grass? It is the fastest growing woody plants in the world! It can grow as high as 121 cm. in 24 hours! Bamboo is one of nature's miracle, an extremely useful grass. Take a look around your house, surely you'll find an object made of bamboo. It can also check erosion and conserve soil. That's why it is prolific!

Even poets are inspired to write about bamboos. One famous poet of the Sung Dynasty wrote: "There are bamboos ten thousand feet high, if you view their shadows by the moonlight"

China or Japan's rich artistic articles of the ancient times has only one ingredient: the paper, the brush, and the subject - the bamboo!

There are many other information about bamboos, come to Toucheng Farm, to find answers to your questions about it. Other species also grow in the Farm, but not as numerous as this specie.

What are you waiting for? call Toucheng Farm at 886 39 772222 or visit www.tcfarm.com.tw/en/news/news.asp


Toucheng Farm is a member of the Hostelling Association of Taiwan and Hostelling International, the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accommodation, usually in an environmentally friendly atmosphere. Toucheng Farm has been a member since 1986, and will continuously cater to the public needs.

Po Ai Elemenary School in Taiwan

Remember when you we're a fourth grade elementary school pupil? Curious about many things,and loves to go to a picnic or field trips? These agile, cute, noisy but curious kids learned many lessons today. They are on a field trip at Toucheng Farm. Even just a half day tour, but saw, knew, and even tasted different kinds of fruits, they actually picked from the fruit trees.

Here they are picking organic golden tomatoes.
Or picking mulberries from the mulberry trees.

How about climbing these tree houses, isn't it fun!

Here are Henry and Ian playing with soap bubbles!

How about that?, Next time you plan a trip, make sure to include Taiwan in your itinerary plus a stop over at Toucheng Farm.

Toucheng Farm is a member of the Hostelling Association of Taiwan and Hostelling International, which is the largest network of quality, budget, hostel accomodation since 1986.

Their website is www.tcfarm. com.tw or 886 39 772222