A hidden café nestled in the mountains—its relaxing vibe is perfect for family outings

Text and photos byPurple Smile

We have a couple of friends who, just like us, love to travel. They’re amazing—they actually discovered this little café in the mountains. This unique café, called Jidu Café, is located deep in the woods and is only open three days a week (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). It’s like a hidden gem in the mountains, and visiting it for the first time really feels like discovering a treasure trove.

On holidays, drive along the mountain road toward Hanxi. Starting from the roundabout near Meihua Lake, it takes about ten minutes to get there after passing the Dajin Leisure Agriculture Park, Hanxi Elementary School, and then heading further in to Jidu Café. It’s not too far, but there aren’t many buildings around here. The Hanxi area is originally home to the Atayal tribe, so it has a bit of an off-the-beaten-path feel.

Jidu Café, located in the mountains of Hanxi, isn’t very large, but its grounds blend seamlessly with the surrounding forests and fields. The café and the landscape around it are almost perfectly integrated.

There are lounge chairs by the pool—what a relaxing atmosphere~~~ But take a closer look~~ the size is really mini. These were originally dug out by the owner for their kids. Later, when they opened the café, they wanted a place for kids to play in the water during summer, which is how this mini splash pool came to be. The lounge chairs nearby are for parents to relax on.

In front of the café entrance, there’s a patch of lawn. This little addition brings a bit more connection to nature. This grassy area is well-maintained since the café is only open four days a week, with three customer days. Walking barefoot on the grass feels really nice.

The lounge chairs are also a super popular spot^^

Jidu Café is still under development. There’s a large piece of land next to it that also belongs to them. If they planted seasonal flowers like cherry blossoms or maple trees, business would definitely boom when the seasons change. But the owners want to preserve the area’s lack of light pollution, where fireflies can be seen twinkling in the forest in summer. They even refused help from public authorities to install streetlights—just to keep things natural.

Hmm, this part is special. Cafés are common, but ones that grow and roast their own coffee beans? Not so much.

We came in the afternoon, and there was a group of guests sitting on the sofa, quietly watching the kids playing on the lawn. This kind of family-friendly café is exactly the vibe the owner was going for.

Like we always say, seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces makes it all worth it.

The scene is so peaceful and relaxing, and it puts you in a holiday mood too.

See that? As soon as our little Beiguang came in, he couldn’t wait to run over—he spotted all the little toy cars on the table. Luckily, they belonged to the café owner’s kid, who generously let Beiguang play with them and even brought out more toys to share and play together.

He kept saying~~ Cars, cars, cement truck, excavator....

Yay~~ Which one should I play with first!!!???

It was like heaven for him. He sat there for nearly two hours without getting up.

The main structure of the café is an old bungalow that’s been renovated. Under the newly added eaves, there are several sets of tables and chairs. Aside from enjoying the view of nature in a relaxed way, it’s also convenient for parents to keep an eye on their kids.

Isn’t this corner nice?

Christmas is coming, and the shop decorations have added a festive touch.

The interior features a popular rustic style, with a yellow-green color scheme that’s very soothing.

There are a few books on the wall. Haha, it would be even better if there were a sofa in the corner to curl up on.

The café sells its own roasted beans.

Souvenirs

Homemade cookies

Currently, the menu focuses on light meals, and of course, there’s their own-brewed coffee Up. The owner said they’re still developing new dishes, so there will be more surprises in the future...

We ordered a fragrant bagel (with Makau chicken) along with a drink and coffee.

The Makau bagel with a side salad is beautifully plated, fresh, delicious, and tasty.

Sweet and tangy strawberry yogurt, with actual strawberry bits that you can taste.

Single-origin coffee roasted in-house, served with homemade cookies — this is the best way to enjoy the coffee’s natural flavor. Adding sugar enhances the coffee’s taste even more, making it even better.

It’s late, the kids should be heading home~~~ Little Bei really played to the point of exhaustion. We had to pull him away, and he still didn’t want to leave.

This is the story of Jidu Coffee. I think the reason it’s so popular is just as they say — it’s quiet, laid-back, and feels like a secret childhood hideout!!!!

Jidu Coffee
Address: No. 22, Lane 1, Gulu Lane, Hsianhsi Village, Datong Township (Neighbor 13)
(Walk straight for several hundred meters after passing Hsianhsi Elementary School to get there)
Phone: (03)951-7388
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 – 19:00
http://www.gitu.com.tw/history/history.aspx
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We are Ben & Jean, and we love food, travel, photography, and 3C.
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