【台中 薰衣草森林】Lavender Forest in Taichung
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Located in the mountains of Zhonghe Village, Lavender Forest (薰衣草森林) is the dream-turned-reality of two city girls who built a flower-filled sanctuary for people who need to slow down. And frankly, that's exactly what it gave us.
This place had been sitting on my list for ages, and I finally made it out with my partner and a group of friends visiting Taiwan for the first time. We missed peak lavender season by literally a week (rude), but the place still delivered — winding hill paths lined with seasonal blooms, dreamy mountain views from every direction, and a cozy forest café we couldn't not stop at.
Below: how to get there, where to grab tickets for the best price, what's actually worth doing once you're inside, and a few tips so you can plan your day without the guesswork.
💡 TIP — Pre-book your ticket on Klook for a discount🪻
about Lavender Forest
Hidden in the mountains of Taichung, Lavender Forest (originally called Lavender Cottage) is the dream-turned-reality of two city girls — Zhan Huijun (慧君) and Lin Tingpei (庭妃) — who wanted to build a place where people could slow down and reconnect with nature.
Beyond its iconic lavender fields, the forest is a haven for nature lovers year-round. Seasonal blooms keep the gardens vibrant even when lavender isn't in season, so there's always something worth photographing.
You can wander through themed gardens like:
🌿 THE HERB GARDEN — supplies fresh herbs for the on-site café's specialty teas and desserts
🌺 GRACE'S GARDEN — a British-style garden featuring tropical plants and native Taiwanese species
🌲 THE FOREST CAFÉ — a cozy spot tucked within the trees, where you can sip herbal tea and dig into handmade treats
Wildlife thrives here too. Handcrafted birdhouses dot the forest, home to Taiwan barbets, woodpeckers, and owls. The nearby rivers host Taiwan shovel-jaw carps, and in summer, the landscape glows with fireflies dancing under the night sky. ✨
Committed to sustainability, the founders planted over 8,000 trees themselves, creating an eco-friendly retreat that supports local farmers and promotes responsible tourism. Their vision is simple: help visitors reconnect with nature, rebalance their souls, and find peace in the beauty of the earth.
getting to Lavender Forest
Lavender Forest is located in the mountains with lots of windy roads and scenic views from Taichung City. While getting there takes some planning, the journey is part of the experience!
— From Taichung —
𖡼 Private tour
Want a stress-free way to visit without having to worry about transportation? This full-day Taichung + Lavender Forest private tour takes care of everything — lunch and hassle-free transport included. ✨
𖡼 Private driver
The easiest hands-off option. Book a private driver through Klook and you can spend a few hours at Lavender Forest, then have them swing you over to Gaomei Wetlands for sunset before heading back to your hotel.
𖡼 Taxi or Uber
A taxi or Uber ride from Taichung City takes about 1 hour (without traffic) and is the most convenient option for direct access.
𖡼 Bus
Technically possible, but requires multiple transfers and significantly more time. Skip it unless you're really set on it.
𖡼 Car or scooter rental
If you'd rather drive yourself, renting a car or scooter gives you full flexibility to explore the surrounding mountain area at your own pace.
— From outside Taichung —
𖡼 HIGH SPEED RAIL (HSR)
Coming from elsewhere in Taiwan, take the HSR to Taichung Station — it's the fastest, easiest way to reach the area.
𖡼 TAXI OR UBER
Once you're at Taichung Station, grab a taxi, Uber, or book a private driver to head straight up to Lavender Forest. ⚠️ swap this tinyurl for new affiliate
— Parking —
If you decide to drive to Lavender Cottage, a convenient paid parking lot is available right past the entrance.
where to buy tickets
There are three ways to buy tickets:
1. At the front entrance
$200 TWD (~$6.25 USD) — this includes a Lavender Coin for $100 TWD off purchases
2. The official website
$12.98 USD — which is surprisingly more expensive, and frankly, not worth it.
3. Klook
$6.05 USD — the best deal! 🪻Buy your Lavender Forest tickets here
things to do
Gift shops
There are 2 separate gift shops in Lavender Cottage. The first one is located by the entrance and the other one is located by the Herb Garden.
My personal recommendation?
Create your own bath salt container at the main entrance gift shop. There’s an array of color hues with unique smells — perfect for gifting!
Ride the carousel
香草步道
Lavender Path
Walk alongside the Lavender Path and admire vibrant flowers year-round.
If you plan to visit during lavender season, it blooms from November to May, with peak blooms in January and February.
Although we missed the lavender season by just a week during our visit, the Lavender Path was still incredibly beautiful.
🪻 TIP 💭
To protect the flowers, take photos from the path instead of walking through them.
許願樹
Wishing Tree
If you have a wish on your mind, don’t miss out on the Wishing Tree!
For a small fee of $30 TWD ($1 USD), you can make your dreams come true by tying your wish on the tree.
肖楠之境
Forest Gallery
秘境步道
Forest Path
Take a walk on the Forest Path, with both subtle and bold art pieces on the side while you’re perusing through nature.
Bathroom
In case you need to go, there’s an outdoor bathroom in Lavender Cottage for you to use.
The sink is on the other side, while the toilets are facing towards the mountains.
The toilets have open windows overlooking the mountains, providing a unique experience. Don’t worry, no one will be able to see you!
森林咖啡館
Forest Cafe
Even though we were still full from breakfast, the enticing aroma of the Forest Cafe's offerings was too hard to resist! We decided to treat ourselves to a cozy coffee and tea sesh before exploring Lavender Cottage.
Gabriel and I ordered the Iced Lavender Milk Tea (薰衣草奶茶), a refreshing twist on the classic milk tea. The lavender flavor was subtle but soothing.
For snacks, we couldn't pass up the Ice Cream Waffle with Honey (森林冰淇淋鬆餅). The lavender-infused ice cream complemented the sweet honey-glazed waffle perfectly.
We also decided to treat ourselves with the Sweet Potato Fries & French Fries with Ketchup (卡茲卡茲雙料脆薯), a dream come true for potato lovers! I didn't think I would like the sweet potato fries, but they actually tasted really good!
🌟 TIP
If you're planning a visit to Lavender Cottage, make sure to go on an empty stomach to try their Forest Cafe offerings!
what's nearby
know before you go!
🎟️ ADMISSION | The entrance fee is $200 TWD. Each entry ticket includes a Lavender Coin worth $100, allowing you to enjoy a discount on any purchase. Kids under 12 years old enter for free!
☀️ BEST TIME TO VISIT | The peak bloom for lavender in Taiwan is from January to February 🌿 From November to May, you’ll still find beautiful seasonal flowers planted throughout the gardens. We visited in late October, and while there was no lavender, the garden was still stunning with other colorful blooms!
Also, visit during weekdays (Mon–Thurs) = fewer crowds + better photos!
🍽️ DIETARY REQUEST | Vegetarian and some vegan options available
👕 DRESS CODE | Keep it cute and casual! Given the mountainous terrain and lots of walking, wear comfortable flat shoes such as flats, sandals, or sneakers.
💳 PAYMENT | Cash & cards accepted
🌟PERFECT FOR | Friend groups. Family. Couples.
🐾 PET POLICY | Pets are welcome! Just be a responsible pet parent and pick up after your pet 💩
⏱️ DURATION | 1 - 3 hours
FAQ
When is the best time to visit Lavender Cottage?
Lavender blooms in Taiwan from November to May of the following year. January and February are the prime months for viewing lavender.
How much time should I spend in Lavender Cottage?
Plan for one to two hours to fully enjoy Lavender Cottage. During our first visit, we spent two hours exploring the garden, trying the Forest Cafe, taking photos, and enjoying nature. This doesn't include the travel time to and from the cottage.
final thoughts
We visited at the end of October, and it was still very hot. I expected the Lavender to be blooming, but sadly, it wasn't in season. (I thought maybe it would bloom a bit earlier. 😅)
Regardless, it was still a beautiful experience with different types of flowers planted alongside the path.
When you purchase your entry ticket, which is $200 TWD, at the front entrance, they give you a Lavender Coin that you can use to take $100 TWD off any purchase.
They also have an amazing mosquito spray that they make themselves, and it smells like lavender at the entrance. Sadly, they don't sell their lavender mosquito spray at the gift shop, which is a big bummer! If they sold it there, I would totally buy it!
I would love to come back again and visit when the lavender is actually in bloom!
My recommendation when visiting is to go early! Wear comfortable, cute clothes and flat shoes, and visit the flowers first. That way, you can avoid the crowds and have the flowers to yourself first. Afterward, go to the Forest Cafe to grab some food. Once you're done eating, you can walk around and explore the whole place!
visit info
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Travel Taichung: Lavender Cottage
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