Exploring Shanzhongketing: A Serene Mountain Retreat

Taipei generously gifted us lots of sunshine over the past week, which is rare during its typically wet and cold winter months. With the threat of winter rain looming, we decided to make the most of the last sunny weekend by going on a little afternoon getaway somewhere outside of the city.

Time: March, 2023

Location: New Taipei, Taiwan

@shanzhongketing 山中客廳 (translation: living room in the mountains)

A few months back, I stumbled upon this semi-hidden spot on a photography account and immediately had it saved on my to-be-visited list. That sunny Saturday felt like the perfect timing to go, so we proceeded to reserve a spot the night before and embarked on a scooter journey into the mountains the following day.

Note: run by a friendly couple, they only open on weekends with limited reservation spots, ensuring each visitor feels special and at home.

Cruising up the mountain roads had me grinning from ear to ear. For me, there's no better way to tackle those winding curves than being on a scooter/motorbike, as the wind gracefully navigates each bend and turn.

a few motorbikes lazily parked in the front yard

The afternoon started with coffee, tea, and dessert, surrounded by the company of their adopted dogs and lush greenery. The breeze in the mountains felt so soft and gentle against the skin that it left me pleasantly drowsy as I immersed myself in reading.  

cold brew, litchi hydrosol oolong tea, and chocolate basque cheese cake 

the afternoon sunlight glistened and bathed the land in golden hue

With plenty of outdoor seatings, customers could freely choose their preferred spot-- whether on the chair or there's simply the option to sprawl out on the grass with the dogs for a laid-back experience. After all, the essence of the place is to bring people closer to nature.

first glance when stepping into their abode

The indoor setting welcomed us into a cocoon of warmth and cosiness, heightened by the calming fragrance of incense lingering in the air. As we explored the charming details of the house, pleasant surprises awaited us in nearly every nook and cranny. The owners' personal touches included sketches and paintings, along with a captivating photography collection showcasing their lives both before and after marriage. I especially love the slanted doorway that leads to the main coffee bar, adorned with an entire wall dedicated to cherished memories. 

It felt like a spontaneous visit to a childhood friend's place, where the only plan was to lounge on their couch and do nothing at all. Time seemed to stretch endlessly in the embrace of nature. 

As we began our descent down the trail from the mountains, I took another glance at the house; nestled amidst the peaks, it appears like a scene lifted from a whimsical folktale.

Journeyed through this mountain retreat, the seamless blend of nature and hospitality left me feeling refreshed and inspired. Have you ever stumbled upon a hidden gem that felt like a sanctuary away from the hustle of everyday life? What elements make a place truly special and memorable for you? I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences, have a lovely day.

xo,

Little Update!

First day of school in front of Korea University.

Hello lovely people, I seriously cannot believe it is almost the end of July already. It's half past eleven now but I really want to just randomly write down a short post cause I've been gone for so long.
My summer vacation started last month and I've came back to Taiwan for a few weeks now. The weather is unbearably hot here.. I kind of want to go back to Korea already.

Speaking of school, over the past four months I've been living my life in a total different way compared to what I used to be. I'd say the whole semester was so much better than I thought it would be. Made lovely friends, participated in all kinds of activities, and I also have a regular music club practice every Tuesday and Thursday which takes up a huge part of my school life. Stay tuned for my future posts about what club I joined and all fun stuffs I've encountered at school!
So.. yeah, I seriously feel so bad for not posting in forever, really need to put myself together and stop being a lazy butt.

Are you guys having a great summer? Hope you have a great day!

xo,

A New Journey Begins Here

After a few days of platform choosing, name deciding, code typing.. 
Winona's wanderlust is finally settled down.

I've been thinking of doing this for a while. The biggest reason that really made me go for it is because I'm moving to Seoul, Korea next month to begin my freshman year in Korea University. It is something I've been desperately looking forward to for a long time. Living in a foreign country, I thought I could share my new chapter of life by blogging so that I am able to look back at all the great memories I enjoyed.

This is going to be my little space mostly consisting of daily life, travelling, beauty, food, and everything I find interesting to share. I'm super excited about this and I can't wait to start posting more!

Guess that's about it for this very first post. Nothing too fancy but I promise there will be more in the near future. Not the best writer but I hope you will enjoy reading my blog and find inspiration in it. Feel free to comment down below if you have any questions, I'd be pleased to read and reply. Have a great day!

xo,