Camping out in Taichung's Guguan

By Daniel White
Translated by Anna Yang

I have loved camping since I was very young and have gone camping several times a year, almost every year since I was about 5 years old. Thankfully, I've been able to continue this tradition in the Taichung area, which provides some great camping spots, as noted below.

Before you set out, there are some basic things to remember about local camping. The first is to plan for rain. It rains a lot here but, with some preparation, you can actually enjoy a better camping trip in the rain than in bright sunshine. Many camping sites offer covered camping areas that might cost a little extra but, if you're really into roughing it, make sure that your tent has a good rain fly that doesn't touch the inner walls of your tent. You'll also want to lay a ground sheet of heavy plastic under the tent to prevent ground water from seeping in, and digging a small trench around your tent can also help keep the water away.

Many Taiwanese campsites do not allow campfires, so you'll want to pack a small stove or bring food that you don't need to cook. Personally, I absolutely need to have some kind of flame-cooked meat when I camp, even if I can't have it roasted over an open campfire. If you're camping for longer periods, meat tends to spoil after a day or two unless you pack it in a very good cooler with lots of ice. I usually go vegetarian after the second morning, or bring canned food. Also don't forget to bring enough water, or a means of purifying water while you're in the wilderness.

The best campsites are generally close to great hiking trails, national or provincial parks, or hot springs. When you decide on a place to go, check online to see if there are any recreational areas or activities you'd be interested in. It might make a good trip really memorable. There is so much natural beauty in Taiwan, and I'm always amazed by the wonderful sites and scenery that I find when I leave the city.

On my latest trip, I chose to head east of downtown Taichung towards the mountain town of Guguan (in Heping district) and ended up camping at a small site owned by a very accommodating man named Oubin and his wife. The trip takes close to two hours via motorscooter, though I would recommend a stop-off in Xinshe district on your way, as there aren't many rest areas between downtown and Guguan.

We took the Rt. 129 (DongShan Rd.) through Dakeng Scenic Area, to the Rt. 中93 (XieZhong St.) through Xinshe, then switched to the Rt. 8 provincial highway. If you do plan to stop for snacks here, there is a very good fried mushroom shop across the street from the 7-11, and another one a little further down the street on the left. Both offer light snacks for around NT$50, including deep-fried battered mushrooms (Xinshe's specialty) that are incredibly fresh and great fuel to keep you going for the rest of your journey.

Rt. 8 will take you right to Guguan and, to get to Oubin's camp, you'll want to turn right just after passing through town. You'll see a chain-link fence covered in signs behind a signpost with two deer on the top--turn right here. You'll have to climb a fairly steep, but fairly short, road up the mountain, keeping to the left at three forks in the road until you see the campsites on the right. Oubin owns the lowest site and his brother owns the campsite just past it.

We paid NT$800 for a spot on a raised wooden platform, nicely sheltered under a large tree. There are hot showers, bathrooms and electrical outlets available for campers, plus an onsite barbecue if you forget to bring your own. The mountain view was breathtaking, the air was clean and carried the scent of blooming flowers, and birds happily sang throughout the day I was there. It rained off and on, creating an exquisite vista of hazy mountains looming behind thin clouds that wafted around the towering peaks with steam gently drifting up from the saturated flora in the valleys.

If you would prefer to stay lower in the mountains, there are two other campsites of note in the area, both a little west of Guguan, right off the Rt. 8 highway. The first you'll come to roughly translates to "Guguan Warrior Princess Camping" and offers camping sites from NT$800 to NT$1000 in a large lot next to Dajia River (大甲溪). Sites vary with some outdoors, uncovered on the grass, covered under a small roof, or indoors in a large room for those wanting extra shelter from the elements. You can rent a tent here for NT$500, and an extra canopy for NT$100. Reservations are generally recommended.

A little further up the road is Law Kah Campsite, a smaller camping site, but one of the few I've found that will provide firewood and allow proper campfires on its grounds. Camping here costs NT$800 per tent on the grass, and NT$1000/tent under the roofed area. Law Kah is also right on Dajia River and offers pretty spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

While camping, you might want something to do during the day and, fortunately, the Guguan area has a lot going on. If you like hiking, Baxianshan Forest Recreational Area offers many great trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Nearby Butterfly Valley has a good trail leading to an amazing waterfall and swimming hole (see an earlier article I wrote on Butterfly Falls at www.taiwanfun.com for more details). If you prefer something a little more relaxing, you can also join the many people fishing in the Dajia River, or sample Guguan's famed hot springs.

Guguan District Law Kah Campsite
247, DongGuan Rd, Sec 1, Heping Dist, Taichung City
Tel: (04) 2595-0178, mobile: 0970-302-399

Warrior Princess Camp Site
400-1, DongGuan Rd, Sec 1, Heping Dist, Taichung City
0980-618-791

Oubin's Campground
124-4, TaiDian Lane, DongGuan Rd, Sec 1, Heping Dist, Taichung City
0958-225-999