A European-style house nestled amongst the woods in Xitou, Nantou County, Yazhu is a great place to stay if you are looking for a relaxing stay with nature, or a convenient location to explore the many attractions nearby – Monster Village 妖怪村, Neihu Primary School 內湖國小, Xitou Nature Education Area 溪頭森林遊樂區, 忘憂森林, 杉林溪, 八卦茶園, 鳳凰谷鳥園, Assam Tea Farm 日月老茶場, etc. – oh so many! It is also just beside Shui Keng Bus Stop 水坑站 which is served by most of the public buses in the area.
On our way to Yazhu!
You can easily spot its signage along the road
We are finally here! :)
Yazhu was originally built by a Chinese doctor as his retirement home. He decided to turn it into a minsu so that more people can come and take a respite away from their busy urban lives.
What a cute dwarf!
A spacious dining area where you can hang out in between meal times greeted us. Coffee and tea is provided 24/7. Did I mention the most important of it all – there’s wifi! :)
The 3-storey building houses 10 rooms of various sizes which can accommodate up to 6 pax in a room.
A simple breakfast, but I have to say this was one of the BEST food I have tasted in a minsu. The ingredients were freshly prepared and so tasty! I can still remember the taste of the crunchy bun and juicy filling… One of us had a vegetarian meal, and she was all praises for it as well.
What a cute cup holder! You can feel the effort put in by the minsu owners to make their guests feel comfortable from the little touches prevalent throughout the house.
Say hello to Cai da-jie 蔡大姐 the minsu owner :)
She is so friendly and down-to-earth we felt like living in a real home. Her husband, who is in the real estate business, is also the one who built most of the minsu in Cingjing area, so we can be sure no effort was spared to built Yazhu.
We loved the hand-made rabbits ‘playing’ nearby :)
These rabbits were made by Cai Da-jie’s friend; I thought they added a fairytale touch to the place, like Alice in Wonderland.
Off to view our ‘nests’ for the night!
Super spacious I must say…this room is particularly popular with honeymooners
Oooo…there’s a balcony :)
What a wonderful view! Having a leisurely tea here must be such a luxury.
What a big dressing area!
Looks like I will have a great snooze in this place ;)
A Japanese-inspired room
It’s not often a toilet can surprise me, but this one did – there’s a Japanese bathtub!
Water comes from the nearby hot spring, and the minsu provides onsen salts for an awesome soak. This must be the next best thing from going to Japan! Wondering what’s the kawaii yellow ducky? It’s a thermometer for you to measure the water temperature :)
Snacks and drinks when you get hungry at night
The minsu provides transport (from Sun Moon Lake and even Taipei) and sight-seeing services if you need. The van can take up to 6 pax plus luggage. Enquire with the minsu when you book.
Exploring the surroundings…ribbit
The minsu is surrounded by much greenery and life just slows down to a relaxed pace.
I noticed a lot of butterflies frolicking around, happy!
The Xitou Nature Education Area 溪頭森林遊樂區 is located in a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides. It has abundant natural resources and ecosystems, including a bamboo forest, divine trees, ginkgo forest, mountain trails, tea farms, and fireflies.
Come during the month of April when it is the Lugu firefly season 鹿谷鄉螢火蟲季 and witness this magical scene. In fact, you can see the fireflies at a grass area just in front of the minsu, no need to look for them!
Idyllic stroll amongst nature
What a glorious morning stroll :)
There are some interesting professions around the area, just like this traditional floral signboard maker. I was pretty intrigued.
When it was time for us to leave, Cai Da-jie gave us a part of the minsu to remember by – a pair of rabbits! :) Dottie and Peaches are now happily living in my home, and I look forward to bringing them back to visit Yazhu during firefly season :)
Yazhu – a home away from home :)
雅筑小站 Shito YaZhu Villa
Address: 南投縣鹿谷鄉興產路45號 (近溪頭風景區)
Tel: 049 275 1600
Reservation Hours: 8:00AM – 10:00PM
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook
Website: www.yazhu.tw
Getting There
By Bus
You can take a bus from Taichung Gancheng Station 台中干城車站, Taichung train station台中火車站, Taichung HSR台中高鐵站, Zhu Shan Bus Station 竹山車站and Sun Moon Lake Shuishe Tourist Centre 日月潭水社遊客中心 towards Nantou, Xitou line 溪頭線.
．台灣好行 >">>">>" target="_blank">http://www.taiwantrip.com.tw/Besttour/Info/?id=9 Alight at 「內湖國小」站或「溪頭妖怪村」站
．南投客運 http://www.ntbus.com.tw Alight at「內湖國小」或「溪頭妖怪村」站
．高 鐵 http://www.thsrc.com.tw Alight at 「內湖國小」或「溪頭妖怪村」站
．台 鐵 http://www.railway.gov.tw Alight at 「內湖國小」或「溪頭妖怪村」站
．統聯客運 http://www.ubus.com.tw Alight at 「內湖國小」或「溪頭妖怪村」站
．員林客運 http://www.ylbus.com.tw Alight at 「有水坑」站
By Car
1. 高速公路國道三號（中二高）→下竹山交流道（244K）→右轉接台3線往竹山方向→於台3線230.5K處左轉接投151甲線→接151線往鹿谷→過內湖國小後約1.7公里即抵達雅筑小站（151縣道14.9公里處）。
2. 台21線往水里方向→於水里接台16線，往集集、名間方向→於名間接台3線，往竹山方向→於台3線230.5K處左轉接投151甲線→接151線往鹿谷→過內湖國小後約1.7公里即抵達雅筑小站（151縣道14.9公里處）。
