Slow Food Tour in Guanyin: Savor the Fresh Taste of Just-Picked Lotus Seeds

Many people’s first impression of Guanyin Township in Taoyuan is its elegant and enchanting lotus fields. Here, the lotuses—untainted by the mud they grow in—flourish in their own way, oblivious to worldly distractions, sprouting from the mud and blooming on the water. In this countryside that nurtures such graceful lotuses, there are hidden spaces rich in artistic beauty, such as the “Shui Lai Qing She” landscape restaurant, which transplants the architecture of Huizhou-style homes from mainland China. It infuses this low-profile yet uniquely spiritual place with a continuous vitality rooted in the local culture.

Passing through the lotus ponds and entering the secluded Shui Lai Qing She hidden within the greenery, the entrance gate is from a wealthy household dating back to the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty in Shanxi Province. The main hall is supported by thick, dark gingko wood pillars, holding up the entire structure, featuring a main beam carved with an arc-like moon, decorations of lotus and grass motifs, simple and serene fish-scale gray tiles, and bright white walls—all faithfully showcasing the captivating charm of this ancient Chinese mansion. The building itself of Shui Lai Qing She originates from an old house at the foot of Huangshan Mountain. This small flower hall, initially built during the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty, was once an ancient administrative office and private school. After being dismantled on the mainland, it was transported to Taiwan and reassembled, and the elegant Huizhou-style architecture gives one the illusion of stepping into a scene from the movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

The owner, who once ran an antique Chinese furniture business on Lishui Street, dressed in simple and elegant blue cotton clothing, slowly turns around on a hanging chair to brew tea. Relaxed and at ease, he seems to always have a smile on his lips. With Tibetan wormwood burning and the melodious voice of a female singer performing touching melodies, the owner recounts the antiques collected at Shui Lai Qing She, including Ming Dynasty Buddha statues, official hats chairs, Zhunti Fomu from the mid-Qing Dynasty, and Tibetan cabinets. Originally a local from Guanyin, the owner built this restaurant to fulfill his dream of returning home to be a farmer. The shop serves refined vegetarian dishes and only accepts reservations. Though the business operates quietly, the food is thoughtfully and solidly prepared.

Surrounding Shui Lai Qing She are lotus ponds, and not far away are crops such as star fruit, grapes, daylilies, winter melons, and bamboo shoots. These are all ingredients used in the dishes, as the owner hopes to provide guests with local, seasonal, and earthy-energy-rich food to nourish both body and spirit. The vegetarian dishes at Shui Lai Qing She are meticulously prepared with ample creativity, allowing the plant-based cuisine to showcase the depth and strength of Zen-inspired essence. The salad dressing is homemade fermented yogurt, the Korean kimchi is a signature recipe learned from a Korean master, various flavored vinegars are brewed from homegrown fruits, and the naturally sweet and fresh green papaya soup has been simmering since six in the morning. With considerable handcrafting and care, the vegetarian dishes here highlight the freshness of the season and the richness of local culinary culture.

Shui Lai Qing She
Address: No. 55-5, Xia Da Jue, 12th Neighborhood, Datong Village, Guanyin Township, Taoyuan County
Phone: (03)498-9240, (03)282-5517
Business Hours: 11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:00 (Closed on Mondays, reservations required on holidays)
Price: NT$500 per person

Further Reading: Try a Matcha Ice Cream with Red Bean Ice (provided by Tripass Scenic Spots)