Taichung Heping - Lishan Guest House (Taiwan's Highest Palace Hotel)

As Taiwan's highest palace hotel, the Lishan Guest House shares the same design concept as the Grand Hotel in Taipei and Kaohsiung. It was created in the same period and used to be a high-end hotel for hosting foreign guests in the early years. Staying here feels very much like staying in the Forbidden City. Friends who love ancient styles will definitely adore this place; every corner is like a scene from an international period drama. However, departing from Taichung city center is quite a pain, driving about three and a half hours on mountain roads with heavy fog, resembling the path to becoming an immortal. But after the dark and flowery path, it is indeed worth it. Lishan is incredibly beautiful, indescribably so. There aren't many tourist spots here, nor are there bustling shopping streets, but that's exactly what makes it feel like a true paradise. I've seen many online reviews saying that the prices here are high and that they scam tourists with fruit prices, but in reality, when you do the math, it's about the same as Taipei. Considering the inconvenience of transportation here, I personally think it's reasonable for the prices to be a bit higher. I came here because of the Kaohsiung Travel Fair. The Central Cross-Island Highway had been closed for a long time and finally reopened. Lishan Guest House sold super short-term accommodation vouchers at the fair. A double room with breakfast was 2980 NTD. This time I was assigned to stay in the annex building. The main building is more expensive, so I didn't stay there, but the two buildings are very close, and it's easy to enjoy a morning walk. I was lucky to stay in a black bear-themed room. Looking down the row of rooms, only our door had a black bear sticker on it, cute and delightful. Because the house is old, the doors and windows are still made of pure wood, which gives a sense of the era. However, it was renovated again after the 921 earthquake, with the bathroom refurbished to separate dry and wet areas, making it comfortable to stay in. It's like a blend of old and new. Although it's old, there's no musty smell in the room. Stepping out of the room, you can reach the visitor center and various trail attractions. Lishan's bustling area centers around the Lishan Guest House, making it suitable for both walking and driving. In the evening, there is a dedicated person in the Dream Library to brew Lishan tribute tea for free drinking. Outside the library, there's a platform where you can stargaze, poetic and picturesque. The restaurant's breakfast is thoughtful and of good quality (unfortunately, the fried items are baked, not crispy, but very healthy), and there's someone cooking Danzai noodles on site. The breakfast combines Chinese and Western styles, and it's a joy to eat. Staying at Lishan Guest House, even without any plans, just sitting leisurely on the readily available benches with a cup of tribute tea is very relaxing. The altitude here is high, making it perfect for summer retreats. It's long-sleeve weather even in summer; 30 degrees at the foot of the mountain, 14 degrees here, with fresh air that is refreshing and uplifting. I recommend visiting during the off-season on weekdays. Although you won't get the seasonal fruits, the fewer people make it feel like you've chartered the whole of Lishan. Hualien and Taichung can both drive here, but due to the earthquake, the Hualien road has been closed. From Taichung, it's a longer drive, so it's recommended to leave early. The darkness combined with the fog can be quite scary. Address: No. 91, Zhongzheng Road, Heping District, Taichung City