Dacun Grape Orchard Area is a major Kyoho grape production zone in Dacun Township, Changhua County, where cultivation began around the 1960s after farmer Lai Bingfang brought seedlings from Taichung and planted six Kyoho vines in front of his home. Vineyards now spread widely across the township, with two harvests each year: summer fruit from mid-June to August and winter fruit from December to January. Several agricultural experience zones allow visitors to pick grapes in the orchard, and some farms also offer winemaking experience courses. It is one of Changhua County's representative agricultural tourism areas, combining natural surroundings with local farming culture.
Kyoho grape cultivation in Dacun Township began around the 1960s, when local farmer Lai Bingfang brought seedlings from Taichung and planted six Kyoho vines in front of his home; cultivation later spread to neighboring townships such as Xihu, Puxin, and Yuanlin. Today, roughly one in every two grapes grown in Taiwan comes from Changhua County, with Dacun ranking among the county's top-producing townships. The harvest splits into two seasons: summer fruit from mid-June to August and winter fruit from December to January.
What to see in the Dacun Grape Orchard Area
Dacun Township sits in the center of the Changhua Plain, with well-draining soil and ample sunlight. Kyoho grapes were introduced here in the 1950s and the area has since become a major Kyoho grape production zone in Taiwan. Rows of grape trellises cover the agricultural zone; in summer the clusters are full and heavy, while in winter the grapes deepen to a dark purple. Both harvest periods have their own distinct visual character. Farm roads through the orchard zone are open to visitors during picking seasons, though some farms require advance reservations.
In addition to fruit-picking, some farms offer winemaking experience courses that take visitors through the full process from cultivation and harvesting to fermentation. Most farming families in the area maintain traditional trellis cultivation methods, and the agricultural landscape is well preserved. It is also a direct way to learn about Taiwan's lowland fruit-farming industry.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & timing
- Dacun Township is about 10 minutes by car from Yuanlin City. Driving or riding a scooter into the orchard zone is recommended. The individual farms are scattered around the township with no single fixed entrance.
- Fruit-picking experiences are limited to harvest seasons (July–August and December–January). Outside those periods, visiting the orchards is possible but there is no picking activity. Confirm farm opening conditions before visiting.
Nearby connections
- Dacun Township is adjacent to Yuanlin City. Combining it with Yuanlin Baiguo Mountain makes a day of agricultural experiences in Changhua.
- Yuanlin City has a traditional market and a snack street; after fruit picking, heading to Yuanlin for a meal is a natural next step.
Source: Changhua County Agriculture Bureau, Dacun Township Office agricultural records. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did grape cultivation begin in Dacun Township?
It began around the 1960s, when farmer Lai Bingfang brought seedlings from Taichung and planted six Kyoho vines.
How significant is Dacun's grape production in Taiwan?
Roughly one in every two grapes grown in Taiwan comes from Changhua County, and Dacun ranks among the county's top-producing townships.
When is the grape harvest season in Dacun?
The harvest splits into two seasons: summer fruit from mid-June to August and winter fruit from December to January.
Sources
- 大村鄉的葡萄－臺中區農業改良場 — 賴炳芳引進種苗年代（民國50年代／1960年代）與後續推廣
- 葡萄產區與產期簡述－農業知識入口網 — 夏果、冬果產期範圍佐證