Leofoo Resort Guanshi

This cosy property is the very first safari resort with an African theme in Asia. Guests may interact with a number of herbivores just right outside their door. Blending key principals from western and Chinese traditions of service, the resort offers a professional catering service with a smile. The property comprises a total of 162 African-style guest rooms equipped with full sets of standard amenities. Facilities on offer to guests at this air-conditioned establishment include a lobby, a hotel safe, a restaurant, Internet access and bicycle hire.

The first things that will draw guests' attention in the themed bedrooms are the large floor-length windows and the hand-painted scenes on the walls. Artist Tai-Hsiang Li herself painted the sunset, tree trunks and animals in monotone colours. Her paintings use extremely simple elements and pieced together make a visual masterpiece filled with primitive energy and wild imagination. The art work is in contrast to the real wildlife outside the windows in terms of dynamic and static, brightness and darkness. The creative input in the rooms is different from room to room. All rooms come with a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer and are equipped with a satellite/cable TV, Internet access, a fridge and individually regulated air conditioning.

The dining options at the hotel are themed around Africa and Hakka cuisine. Food is delivered from local farms directly to the hotel. The toxin-free vegetables and fruits are grown in the local farms to give guests not only the feel of an eco-hotel, but also to provide them with a healthy and life-enhancing diet. This is important, as well as being part of the social responsibility of the resort, as a sustainable operation, to local people.

The 'Happy Farm' is on a small country road just next to the ostrich park. The grass for feeding animals is grown here, along with seasonal produce, such as sweet potatoes, Gynura bicolor that is rich in iron, colourful red cabbage, water spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, Chinese leeks, corn, and cabbage. Guests are encouraged to get their hands dirty and grow their own vegetables.

Guests coming by train should get off the train at Chungli and take the bus to Leofoo village on the Hsinchu bus. The journey takes approximately 90 minutes from Taipei.