Only found in fairy tales—a "forest-themed homestay" just a 5-minute walk from Brown Highway!

▲ "The Crops Are Ripe" is the first homestay in Chishang, with deadwood and creeping plants covering the old house, making it look like a dream cottage from a fairy tale.

Reported and photographed by Peng Huaiyu, Taitung correspondent

The vast plains and relaxed lifestyle of Taitung draw city folks in droves. Located at the midpoint between Brown Highway, Heaven’s Road, and the "Chen Guangqi Tree," "The Crops Are Ripe" is the first homestay in Chishang. The old house is covered with deadwood and climbing plants, resembling a dream home that might appear in a fairy tale.

▲ "The Crops Are Ripe" features a lush garden and classic Chinese architecture that leaves a lasting impression just from the exterior.

"The Crops Are Ripe" is a brick house homestay transformed over two years by owners Wei Wenxuan and his wife from an old rice storage building. Though the sign isn’t prominent, the green garden and classic Chinese-style architecture make a strong visual impact. It is now managed by caretaker A-Bang, who also mentioned that there are three other branches in Chishang, with plans underway for a fourth.

▲ Items like conical hats, straw raincoats, bicycles, and rice evoke the rural life of early Taiwan.

Upon entering the first floor of "The Crops Are Ripe," tools such as conical hats, straw raincoats, bicycles, and rice showcase early Taiwanese rural life. Locally grown Chishang rice and other farm produce, all self-produced and sold by the owner, are displayed throughout the homestay. When you have time, pick a book from the full bookshelf, sip coffee, and gaze at the rice field scenery outside the window—it’s pure enjoyment.

▲ Farm produce such as Chishang rice, self-produced and sold by the owner, are displayed and available for purchase in the homestay.

Climb the uniquely designed wooden staircase to the second-floor terrace, where endless green rice fields stretch out with the Coastal Mountains in the distance. The unobstructed view is a major draw for many guests. Spend your days sipping tea in the breeze, or your nights stargazing and chatting—the scenery takes all worries away.

▲ From the second-floor terrace, the view is dominated by green rice fields with the Coastal Mountains in the background—many come here just for this view.

The loft-style design uses plenty of natural wood and includes five rooms, named after the farming seasons: Spring Plowing, Summer Tending, Autumn Harvest, Winter Storage, and Bumper Crop. It’s as if the beautiful scenery outside has been brought inside.

▲ The loft-style design uses plenty of natural wood and includes five rooms, named after the farming seasons: Spring Plowing, Summer Tending, Autumn Harvest, Winter Storage, and Bumper Crop, as if bringing the outdoor scenery indoors.

Another highlight of "The Crops Are Ripe" is the next morning’s breakfast. The five-color handmade rice steamed buns are made by a local elderly woman—they’re chewy without being overly sweet, and you can even taste the rice grains inside. Paired with rice milk, rice pudding, and fruit, the breakfast fully showcases the charm of Chishang rice specialties.

▲ The five-color handmade rice steamed buns are made by a local elderly woman, chewy and not too sweet, with visible rice grains inside, served with rice milk, rice pudding, and fruit.

The Crops Are Ripe Homestay
Address: No. 1-2, Lane 1, Wan’an Village, Chishang Township, Taitung County
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