Xiaobantian Leisure Agricultural Area Development Association

The Xiaobantian Leisure Agricultural Area Development Association (小半天休閒農業區發展協會) is a community-based organization that promotes and coordinates the Xiaobantian Leisure Agricultural Area in Lugu Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. The association operates as the marketing, booking, and information hub for a rural tourism zone spread across three villages — Zhulin, Zhufeng, and Heya — in a mountainous, low-plain landscape where residents live in clustered settlements. Its official website presents the area's attractions, agricultural experiences, seasonal itineraries, homestays, restaurants, and news, and provides contact details for visitor inquiries. The Xiaobantian area is known for two nationally significant agricultural products: tea seedlings, with an annual output of roughly 10 million plants, and ginkgo afforestation, covering about 100 hectares and described as the largest ginkgo plantation in Taiwan. The zone also has rich ecological resources, including protected species such as the Swinhoe's pheasant (藍腹鷴). Visitor attractions include the Dexing Waterfall, the Bantian Bridge, and the Mengzong bamboo forest historical battlefield, which was used as a filming location for a SK-II advertisement featuring international actress Cate Blanchett. The association promotes year-round tourism: cherry blossoms at Shima Park in January and February; spring tea and spring bamboo shoots in March and April; firefly viewing in May and June; summer retreats at Dalun Mountain in July and August; ginkgo foliage and sea-of-clouds scenery in September and October; and winter tea and winter bamboo shoots in November and December. According to the association's own account, the name Xiaobantian derives from early settlers who, looking east from Dongpuna, saw the mountain frequently shrouded in mist as if suspended halfway in the sky; upon climbing it they found only a small plateau, hence "Xiaobantian" (little half-sky). The area was reportedly settled by Su and Lin families migrating from Fujian in 1682. The association's website lists 43 legal homestays and 13 restaurants within the zone, along with Wuxiu Leisure Farm, and notes that in 2005 (Republic of China year 94) the area was selected as one of the most beautiful communities in Taiwan. The association is based at No. 174-7, Guangfu Road, Zhulin Village, Lugu Township, Nantou County, and can be reached by phone at 049-2677213 or by email at a2011.b0829@msa.hinet.net.

The Xiaobantian Leisure Agricultural Area Development Association is a community organization tied to the rural area of Xiaobantian in Lugu Township, Nantou County, Taiwan. According to the association's own historical account, the name Xiaobantian originated with early Han settlers who, looking east from Dongpuna, saw the mountain often wrapped in mist as if suspended halfway in the sky; upon climbing it they found only a small plateau, and so named it Xiaobantian. The account states that in the 36th year of the Yongli reign of the Ming dynasty (1682), Su and Lin families migrated by sea from Fujian and settled in Xiaobantian. Earlier, in 1668, Zheng Chenggong's subordinate Lin Yi had led troops to open and settle the Shuishalian area; after an attack by indigenous people in which Lin Yi and more than a hundred of his men died, Han forces regrouped, defeated the indigenous forces, and extended Han influence into Lugu. The modern Xiaobantian Leisure Agricultural Area is distributed mainly across three villages — Zhulin, Zhufeng, and Heya — in a mountainous, low-plain landscape where most residents live in clustered settlements. The area contains Wuxiu Leisure Farm, 43 legal homestays, and 13 restaurants. In 2005 (Republic of China year 94), the area was selected as one of the most beautiful communities in Taiwan. The area has two nationally significant industries: tea seedlings, with annual output of about 10 million plants, and ginkgo afforestation, covering about 100 hectares and described as the largest in Taiwan. It also has rich ecological resources, including protected species such as the Swinhoe's pheasant. Attractions include Dexing Waterfall, Bantian Bridge, and the Mengzong bamboo forest historical battlefield, which was used as a filming location for a SK-II advertisement featuring international actress Cate Blanchett. The association operates an official website (lugu.org.tw) that presents the area's attractions, agricultural experiences, seasonal itineraries, homestays, restaurants, news, and contact information. The site's copyright notice covers 2016–2024, indicating the current web presence dates from at least 2016. The association promotes a year-round calendar of activities: cherry blossom viewing at Shima Park in January and February; spring tea and spring bamboo shoots in March and April; firefly viewing in May and June; summer retreats at Dalun Mountain in July and August; ginkgo foliage and sea-of-clouds scenery in September and October; and winter tea and winter bamboo shoots in November and December. It also promotes micro-film content, including a first installment on winter bamboo shoots. The association is based at No. 174-7, Guangfu Road, Zhulin Village, Lugu Township, Nantou County, with a customer service line at 049-2677213 and email at a2011.b0829@msa.hinet.net.

• 2016

  The association's official website copyright notice begins, indicating the current web presence dates from at least this year.

• 2005

  The Xiaobantian area was selected as one of the most beautiful communities in Taiwan (Republic of China year 94).

• 1682

  Su and Lin families migrated by sea from Fujian and settled in Xiaobantian, according to the association's account.

• 1668

  Zheng Chenggong's subordinate Lin Yi led troops to open and settle the Shuishalian area; after an indigenous attack in which Lin Yi and over a hundred men died, Han forces regrouped and extended influence into Lugu.

A community development association positioning the Xiaobantian area as a year-round rural tourism destination known for tea seedlings, ginkgo forests, bamboo shoots, fireflies, and mountain scenery.

• Tea seedlings

  Annual output of about 10 million plants, described as the largest tea seedling propagation area in Taiwan.

• Ginkgo afforestation

  About 100 hectares, described as the largest ginkgo plantation in Taiwan.

• Spring and winter tea

  Seasonal tea tasting promoted in March–April and November–December.

• Spring and winter bamboo shoots

  Seasonal bamboo shoot harvesting and tasting promoted in spring and winter.

• Agricultural experiences

  Hands-on farm and rural activities offered within the leisure agricultural area.

• Seasonal agritourism itineraries

  Year-round itineraries built around cherry blossoms, tea, bamboo shoots, fireflies, ginkgo, and cloud seas.

• Homestay accommodations

  43 legal homestays listed within the area.

• Local restaurant dining

  13 restaurants listed within the area.

1. 1小半天休閒農業區發展協會官方網站lugu.org.tw
2. 2關於我們 - 小半天休閒農業區發展協會lugu.org.tw
3. 3Wikidata Q133444170wikidata.org