Weekend Getaway in Kaohsiung's Mountain Towns

　During the winter months, mountain towns near Kaohsiung attract visitors seeking sunny, natural weekend escapes. Begin your trip in the Shanlin District, where, from late winter to early spring, flower fields burst with vibrant blooms of zinnias, sunflowers, and cosmos flowers that cover the foothills. It's often called a sea of flowers and is truly one of the best places to see them in southern Taiwan. Hot pink hues and soft blushes mixed with orange yellow hues dot the landscape. The best time to visit is mid-February when they are in full bloom.

　Next, visit the century-old Huang Family Hakka Compound, then stop at Jinsiang Pastry Shop（進香餅舖）, a well-known family-run bakery with over 60 years of history. Inside, find traditional pastries baked using rare local techniques. Master baker Tian Yun-cheng（田雲程）continues to create sugar pagodas and handcrafted fengpian cakes, which are commonly used in Hakka rituals and life ceremonies. These reflect the community's dedication to preserving its cultural traditions.

　Stay overnight at Starry Valley Leisure Camping Farm（星空幽谷休閒露營農莊）, situated between Liouguei（六龜） and Meinong（美濃）. With only a few tents available, this rustic campsite provides a peaceful, nature-centered experience where you can marvel at clear, starry skies at night and wake up to the sunrise over Weiliao Mountain（尾寮山）.

　From vibrant flower fields and longstanding family bakeries to quiet nights under the stars, Kaohsiung's mountain villages provide an easy, unhurried escape. Ideal for a weekend trip, the region's mountain scenery offers a laid-back, refreshing travel experience.

來去山城住一晚 繽紛花海輕旅行
文/李曉萍
攝影/Cindy Lee

冬日的高雄山城，陽光正好。從杉林區繽紛的花海出發，漫步小鎮街道，造訪傳承一甲子的「進香餅舖」，夜晚再前往六龜與美濃交界的「星空幽谷休閒露營農莊」，與星空共眠、迎接尾寮山的第一道曙光，讓山城獨有的慢步調，緩緩滲入身心。

每逢冬末春初，杉林迎來最燦爛的時節。百日草、向日葵與波斯菊在月光山腳下鋪展成南部規模最大的花海色帶，桃紅、嫩粉與澄黃隨風流轉，彷彿大地翻動著彩色織帶。2月中旬是最佳賞花期，柔和光線為花瓣鑲上金邊。看完花海，順道走訪百年歷史的黃家伙房，感受山城的古樸韻味。

走進開業超過六十年的進香餅舖，滿滿外地遊子想念的家鄉味。田雲程師傅守護著瀕臨失傳的「糖塔」技藝，並以古法揉製「鳳片糕」，這些不僅是客家祭儀和生命禮俗的必備供品，也是對傳統文化的珍視。

夜晚住進山裡，與星空與日出為鄰，星空幽谷露營農莊以限量帳數與低度開發，保留純淨自然。清晨時分，尾寮山日出灑落金色光芒，與昨夜星空、白日花海，一同拼湊成一段溫柔而完整的山城記憶。