Known as the “Fruit Kingdom,” Taiwan boasts many leisure farms, primarily the tourist orchards scattered throughout Hsinchu Country. These pick-your-own farms offer diverse fruits, including strawberries, oranges, star fruits, peaches, apples, grapes, tomatoes, guavas, dragon fruits, bell fruits, passion fruits, persimmons, etc.
Please watch the following video for more interesting images of orange-picking leisure farms in Taiwan’s Hsinchu County.
While the specific fruit selection may vary based on the season and location, visitors can always revel in the delightful experience of hand-picking seasonal fruits directly from the tree or vine. Set against picturesque landscapes, these orchards provide a welcoming environment with friendly farmers and ample opportunities for education and recreation. Engaging with nature in this way is fun and offers a unique insight into Taiwan’s rich agricultural heritage.
Tourist orchards
Hsinchu County, located in the northwest of Taiwan, benefits from favorable climatic conditions, soil, and water resources, making it an ideal region for cultivating a variety of high-quality mandarins. The cultivars found in Hsinchu include Tankan (Citrus tankan 桶柑), Tangor (Hairi hort 海梨柑), Ponkan (Citrus poonensis or Chinese honey orange 椪柑), Clementine mandarins (砂糖橘), and Murcott (Honey tangerine 茂谷柑).
Covering a total cultivation area of approximately 2,348 hectares (5,802 acres), Hsinchu produces over 43,000 tons of mandarins annually, with a market value of NT$1.4 billion (US$46.6 million). The mandarin oranges from Hsinchu stand out due to their excellent quality, vibrant color, and high sugar content. They are a delicious fruit enjoyed during fall and winter and an ideal gift for the Lunar New Year.
Every year, from December to March, picturesque mandarin orange orchards blanket the landscape, providing a delightful sight for visitors. These orchards serve as popular destinations for families and nature enthusiasts who wish to experience the beauty of mandarin orchards up close and enjoy the fruit right where they are grown.
Picking mandarin oranges
Visitors can indulge in the simple joy of picking fresh mandarin oranges at Hsinchu County’s tourist orchards using nothing more than a plastic basket and a pair of scissors. The process is straightforward and inclusive, making it an ideal outing for families to bond over. Moreover, the orchards provide a picturesque backdrop for photographers to capture the moment’s beauty.
The abundance of fruit and the pristine environment surrounding them make Hsinchu County’s orange-picking farms attractive. The orchards are meticulously maintained, creating a clean and inviting atmosphere. The lush greenery surrounding the area enhances the overall experience, making it an ideal setting for families to bond while connecting with the beauty of nature.
Children, in particular, find immense joy in this hands-on experience as they pluck ripe oranges straight from the trees. It offers a valuable lesson in agriculture and nature, allowing them to appreciate the journey from tree to table. The sensory delight of feeling the citrusy aroma, the warmth of the sun, and the rustling of leaves underfoot make mandarin orange picking a multisensory adventure.
Admission to these pick-your-own farms is usually a modest NT$100 (US$3.20) per person, making it an affordable and accessible activity. After paying the entrance fee, visitors can eat as much as they can pick from the fruit trees on the spot but must pay extra for any produce they take away. The cost of mandarins is determined by their weight, ranging from NT$45 (US$1.30) to NT$70 (US$2.10) per catty (0.6 kg).
Kilning sweet potatoes at Hsinchu County’s leisure farms
One of the side activities along the mandarin orange picking trip is kilning sweet potatoes at some of the leisure farms in Hsinchu County. This activity adds a touch of tradition and flavor to the typical fruit-picking experience.
The adventure begins with visitors digging a hole in the ground. Dried clods of mud are then carefully piled to form a pyramid-shaped tower with an opening at the bottom. This structure serves as the kiln for the cooking process.
Once the kiln is ready, firewood is carefully placed into the chamber through the bottom opening. The fire is lit and allowed to burn until the clods turn a vibrant red. This is the cue to put sweet potatoes, chicken, and corn on the cob wrapped in aluminum foil into the chamber. Maintaining the space between the clods is essential to allow smoke to escape from the kiln.
With the pyramid-shaped clod tower acting as a temporary oven, the sweet potatoes and other food are buried within its confines. The residual heat from the kiln works its magic, slowly and thoroughly cooking the ingredients. The entire process usually takes about an hour, allowing ample time for the flavors to meld and intensify.
After the allotted cooking time, it’s time to unearth the buried treasure of perfectly kilned sweet potatoes, aromatic chicken, and corn on the cob. Visitors can participate in the hands-on process of building and tending to a kiln and enjoy the delicious results of their culinary efforts.
