新社莊園 (Hsih-Sueh Manor)

I heard this place while I visited Taichung for a presentation in China Medical University early May. A friend then told me there is a "castle" in the area with great view and food which have been the outdoor scenes for several Taiwan-made dramas. Being curious, I made my trip to this place during this Duanwu holidays. Even though crowds paced everywhere over the entire place, they still can not bring down the great achievement by the architect and landscape gardener of Hsih-Sueh Manor. The estate area is so beautiful and well-organized, and well-balanced among the manor, water, and garden. This place reminds me the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, the largest home in America. Even though I believe this place can still be improved in several aspects, especially in its management, which can make this place not simply have a beautiful landscape rather a place have its own style and spirit.