March 24 - Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area (太平山森林遊樂區)

We drove further west to visit Cueifang Lake National Walking Trail (翠峯湖國家步道). Again it rained, therefore, we had to carry our umbrella to hike around well built wood-deck  walking trails. There are more dirt road trails which were impassable during rain.  However, we were able to walk far enough into the trail to see the Cueifang Lake (翠峯湖). 

Then, we went back to Taipingshan Vliia (太平山莊) trying to do a little more hiking around there and to have lunch.  Even in the rain, we were able to see wonderful Taiwan cypress trees (台灣檜木-紅檜及扁柏) along the well built wood-deck walking trails.  The mood and feeling were definitely different with seeing these beautiful natural sceneries in the rain. 

One of the attractions in Taipingshan is "sea of cloud" (雲海). If the day after rain is sunny, then the chance of seeing "sea of cloud" is very high.  Unfortunately, it was raining for 2 consecutive days when we visited, we can only look the photo Charles took when he visited previously and saw the "sea of cloud".

After lunch, we visited Chingshui Geothermal Water (清水地熱) and Changpi Lake Scenic Area (長埤湖風景區)。At Chingshui Geothermal Water, the geothermal water is an alkaline spring with 95 Celsius and slightly yellowish sulfur spring water. They sell eggs, corns and yams; and rent out baskets to allow you to cook them in their hot spring water pools. We did cook all 3 items and it was a new experience. Changpi Lake is a camping ground with lake and hiking trails. Unfortunately, the rain prevented us to do any hiking.

We drove back to Jiaoxi (礁溪) again and stayed at the same Jiaoxi Chuangtang Spring Spa Hotel (礁溪川湯春天溫泉大飯店).  We were able to enjoyed the hot spring spa one more time.  

There is a famous restaurant serving Cherry Valley Duck dish in Yilan.  We went there and had a nice dinner at Cherry Valley Restaurant (櫻桃谷 - at 72, Section 7, Jiaoxi Road, Jiaoxi, Yilan).  At first, the name of the dish attracted our attention (we were on our way to Japan to see the cherry blossom later), then we found out it has nothing to do with cherry tree; it is special breed of ducks in Sansing Township (三星) with its pollution free water and advantageous environment.   This is a variation of roast duck dish by servicing a duck in three different ways, and one of them looks like sashimi. The Cherry Valley Duck has also been recognized as the topnotch mouth-watering crispy duck gourmet delicacies in Yilan.