Jiuhu Forest Recreational Farm (Tongluo Tea Factory)

Jiuhu Forest Recreational Farm (Tongluo Tea Factory) is located in Tongluo Township, Miaoli County, and is one of the five tea factories of Taiwan Agricultural and Forestry Corporation in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. Situated on a hilly plateau with acidic, sticky red clay soil, it experiences large temperature differences between day and night and high humidity, producing robust tea leaves with a rich aroma. Tongluo Tea Factory primarily produces Oriental Beauty Tea, Honey Scented Black Tea, Green Tea, and Oolong Tea. Oriental Beauty Tea (commonly known as 'Pengfeng Tea') is particularly representative of the local area. The tea gardens mainly cultivate the Qingxin Ganfu tea variety, which is best suited for making Oriental Beauty Tea. The main harvesting period is around the 'Mangzhong' (Grain in Ear) solar term in the lunar calendar each year. Every year, the tea factory participates in national and Miaoli Oriental Beauty Tea appraisal competitions, consistently winning various major awards. The tea garden covers an area of 30 hectares and is cultivated naturally according to weather conditions, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable tea garden. It is also a composite tea factory that currently operates tea production while also offering visitors the experience of tea picking and tea making. Travelers can book DIY tea picking and making experiences in the tea garden, personally experiencing the joy of picking 'one bud, two leaves' and hand-rolling their own unique tea leaves. It's a zero-distance tea garden experience, a journey to engage all five senses in the daily life of a tea artisan. Visitors can also participate in activities organized by Tongluo Tea Factory that integrate local elements, exploring the environment of Tongluo Lishan through ecological adventures and discovering the wonders of ecological coexistence in this land. Through this adventure, travelers can not only enjoy tea but also learn to cherish and protect our land. Alternatively, they can participate in handicraft activities that combine local culture, such as weaving their own straw sword from dry straw after the harvest season, or engaging children in art combined with observations of nature.