Taitung｜Chulu Ranch—packing the greenery of the Rift Valley and the aroma of fresh milk into the afternoon breeze 🐄🍦

#9月好去地方2025

Chulu Ranch is more than just check-in white cows and ice cream. Stand on the vast grassland and gaze out towards the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range, with a sea of grass waving in the wind between. In the barn, black and white dairy cows leisurely chew the cud. The ice cream shop serves freshly made soft serve ice cream, each bite a taste of the Taitung sunshine. It's fun for families, couples, and those on their own, and 2-3 hours is just the right amount.

• Name | Chulu Ranch
• Location | No. 1, Mingfeng Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County, 954 (approximately 20-30 minutes by car from Taitung City)
• Hours | Typically 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (subject to official website/on-site announcements)
• Admission | Approximately NT$200–250 (including discounts); ample parking
• Recommended Stay | 2–3 hours (meadow walk + cowshed visit + ice cream)
• Suitable for Groups | Families, casual dates, photography, picnics

The Ranch's Past and Present | From a "milk-producing ranch" to a "storytelling tourist farm"

Chulu is located on the river terraces in the southern section of the Hualien-Taitung Longitudinal Valley. With ample sunshine and a large temperature difference between day and night, the grass grows quickly and the cattle thrive comfortably. Initially focused on fresh milk production for the eastern market, the past decade has seen it evolve into a ranch offering both educational and recreational opportunities. The farm features a design that allows visitors to approach the cows without disturbing them, and provides simple explanations of pasture, milking, and milk processing, allowing them to learn about the dairy industry while strolling. The main characters of the farm are the black and white Holsden cows, with mountain scenery and a vast meadow dominating the skyline, creating a scene as clean as a tablecloth.

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My Real Route

① The Great Meadow and the Solitary Tree: Open Your Heart First

Upon entering the farm, I headed straight for the meadow, leaving 1/3 of the horizon and 2/3 of the sky. The clouds resembled soft, windswept brushstrokes. There's no need to rush into portraits—let the greens and blues wash over you first. Sitting in the shade, watching children chase bubbles, the distant mountains resemble painted, deep green outlines, and my mood is automatically refreshed.

② Slow Moments by the Cowshed

Approaching the cowshed, the black and white cows leisurely ruminated in the shade. Staff members will periodically explain the cows' daily water intake of 50–100 kg, their diet of grass and a TMR mixture, and the milking and quarantine procedures. Please only use the feed sold in the park, and hand-feed through the fence to avoid indiscriminate feeding that could cause gastrointestinal upset. Children can also learn the importance of gentle approach.

③ Ice Cream Time—Turn Sunshine into Soft Cream

Back in the ice cream section, I ordered fresh milk soft cream and fresh milk coffee. The soft cream wasn't overly sweet, but rather had a refreshing milky aroma with a subtle herbal note. It melted in the mouth, leaving a clean finish. I took a picture standing in front of the logo wall. The white background, blue text, and the cow silhouette perfectly matched the image; both the picture and the picture were very Taitung.

④ The Final Step: Checking Out the Taitung View

Back at the viewpoint on the grassy slope, the grass stretched all the way to the base of the mountain, and the wooden boardwalk felt like a line leading into the distance. I set my phone to -0.3EV to bring out the layers of clouds; this picture has become my favorite wallpaper of the trip.

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10 Reasons I Recommend Chulu Ranch

1. The View is Incredibly Soothing: Grassland + Mountains + Big Sky – It's a Wallpaper for Every Moment.

2. Friendly Routes: The flat terrain is easy to walk on, perfect for families and families alike.

3. Knowledgeable: The milk production process from grass to fresh milk is clearly explained.

4. Delicious Food: The soft serve ice cream and coffee are genuinely delicious.

5. Great for Photography: The single tree, the cowshed, the logo wall, and the white railings create natural and clean compositions.

6. Weather Lessons: Observe the wind, the clouds, and how light and shadow are cast on the grass.

7. Convenient Location: Close to downtown Taitung, it can be combined with a day trip to Luye Highland/Beinan Archaeological Site.

8. Perfect Pace: The tour can be completed in 2–3 hours, no need to squeeze in too much time.

9. Close but Not Intrusive: Feeding and visiting the animals is done at a distance, and the animals are friendly.
10. Local Brand Spirit: From fresh milk and yogurt to souvenirs, you can bring home the flavors of Taitung.

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Food Review (Address is required)

Chulu Ranch Dairy Shop / Ice Cream Department
Address: No. 1, Mingfeng Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County (within the park)
Recommended: Fresh milk soft serve ice cream, fresh milk coffee, and fresh milk steamed buns.
My experience: The soft serve ice cream has a light milky aroma, just the right amount of sweetness, and melts quickly—remember to take a picture before eating; the coffee and milk are a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. Convenient for both dine-in and takeout, and the lines are fast.

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Practical Tips & Pitfalls (Please Save)⚠️
• The sun is strong: bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and 500–1000ml of water; in summer, it is recommended to enter the park in the morning or evening.
• Maintain a respectful distance from the cows: feed according to park regulations and do not feed human food; children should stay inside and keep their fingers out of the stalls.
• Take your own trash: Taidong's winds are strong, so light objects can easily fly. Please separate cups and bowls after meals.
• Ticket discounts: Check for more ticket stubs to get discounts on park purchases. Horseback riding or DIY activities require separate lines.
• Rain preparedness: In case of a shower, visit the dairy inn and the sales area first, then explore the grasslands and cowshed after the rain stops.

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Photography cheat sheet (take great photos with your phone) 📱
• Grassland panorama: Lower the horizon 1/3 and increase the sky 2/3; use an EV of -0.3 to preserve clouds.
• Check in at the logo wall: Stand in the right 1/3 of the wall, holding a soft serve ice cream in your left hand. This creates a comfortable and uncluttered space.
• Cowshed interaction: Place the railing in the foreground for scale, and focus on the cows' eyes for the most vivid look.
• Running and jumping photos: Use the S-shaped path in the grass as a guide, with the subject running towards the light, for a naturally vibrant photo.

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Half-Day/Full-Day Itinerary (Apply Directly)

Half-Day Relaxed Version
Depart from Taitung City → Stroll through the Grasslands at Chulu Ranch → Visit the Cattle Barn and Feed the Cattle → Ice Cream Inn → Return to City for Dinner/Listen to Music at Tiehua Village

Full-Day Rift Valley Version
Morning at Chulu Ranch → Lunch (Return to City or Luye) → Afternoon Cloud Watching and Paragliding at Luye Highland → Evening Blues at Taitung Seaside Park → Overnight in Taitung

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Real Thoughts: I sat in the grass for a long time, watching the wind ruffle the grass. Cows graze slowly nearby, children chase butterflies in the distance, and my soft serve ice cream melts quickly, while I eat it slowly. This is probably the beauty of Taitung—doing nothing feels just right.

Chulu Ranch | Chulu Ranch Dairy Inn (No. 1, Mingfeng Village, Beinan Township, Taitung County) | Luye Plateau | Taitung Seaside Park | Tiehua Village | Blue Dragonfly Fast Food (No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City)
#Taitung #Chulu Ranch #CHULURANCH #Huadong Rift Valley #Fresh Milk Soft Cream #Parent-Child Travel #Daily Ranch Life #Taitung #Picnic #Taitung Travel 🌾🐮🍦