Xinshe Lavender Cottage is a Provence-style herb garden founded in 2001 by two friends, Zhan Hui-jun and Lin Ting-fei, on a hillside in Xinshe District, Taichung, growing lavender, rosemary, and other aromatic plants alongside an on-site restaurant and accommodation; it draws large crowds each year during the April-to-June bloom season.
Lavender Cottage was founded on 9 November 2001 by two friends, Zhan Hui-jun and Lin Ting-fei, who built the first garden on a Xinshe hillside in Taichung with NT$2 million in starting capital; the site's address is No. 20, Zhongxing Street, Zhonghe Village, Xinshe District. Co-founder Zhan Hui-jun died of lung adenocarcinoma on 14 January 2013 at age 44; co-founder Lin Ting-fei has since led the brand's expansion into related hospitality brands such as 'Slowly' and 'Xunlu'. Note: sources disagree on the exact elevation (figures ranging from about 550m to 700m appear across different sites), so no single verified elevation figure is stated here.
What to see at Lavender Cottage
Lavender Cottage was founded in 2001 by two friends who chose the Xinshe hillside for its cool climate on the eastern side of the Taichung Basin — conditions more suited to growing lavender. Lavender is difficult to grow in Taiwan's lowlands due to high summer temperatures, but Xinshe's elevation of 550 meters provides conditions somewhat closer to a Mediterranean climate. The garden design incorporates European-style wooden chalets, archways, and stone-paved paths; combined with the mountain mist, it creates a visually immersive foreign-feel experience.
Lavender blooms from roughly April to June, with timing varying slightly by cultivar. Some herb plants have ornamental periods in other seasons as well. The on-site restaurant specializes in herb-infused cuisine, serving lavender-related dishes and herbal teas. Weekend visitor numbers are high and parking demand peaks during busy hours. It is advisable to visit on a weekday or at the very start of the bloom season, when crowds are smaller but the flowers are still in good condition.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there & timing
- Drive from Taichung city via the Zhongtou Highway or following signs toward the 921 Earthquake Museum and then on to Xinshe. The mountain road winds — drive slowly.
- Public transport in the Xinshe mountain area is limited; self-driving is recommended. Parking is tight on flower-season weekends — arrive before 9 a.m. to secure a spot.
- Opening hours and admission prices follow the garden's own announcements. Tickets are typically higher during lavender season than in the off-season; check the official website.
Nearby connections
- Xinshe District has several flower farms and leisure farms. The annual Xinshe Flower Carnival (around October to November in autumn) adds another reason to visit — plan around the season.
- Heading west and down the mountain takes you to Wufeng District, where you can visit the 921 Earthquake Museum or the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion for a mountain-and-culture half-day trip.
Sources: contextual facts compiled from the Wikipedia entry on Lavender Cottage. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own images.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Lavender Cottage and when?
It was founded by two friends, Zhan Hui-jun and Lin Ting-fei, on 9 November 2001 in Xinshe, Taichung, with NT$2 million in starting capital for the first garden.
When does the lavender bloom?
Lavender blooms roughly from April to June each year, with timing varying slightly by cultivar; check the garden's official website before visiting to confirm that year's bloom status.
What other brands has Lavender Cottage expanded into?
Co-founder Lin Ting-fei has continued to grow the brand into related hospitality ventures including the 'Slowly' and 'Xunlu' guesthouse brands.
Sources
- 薰衣草森林 - 維基百科 — 創立日期、創辦人資訊
- 薰衣草森林台中新社官方頁面 — 官方地址資訊
- 薰衣草創辦人詹慧君逝 林庭妃：不能接受這事實 - ETtoday — 創辦人詹慧君逝世資訊