A while back, while scrolling through my phone, I stumbled upon the "Twilight Forest" guesthouse in Jiufen on Instagram.
This is a detached wooden house tucked away deep within the winding alleys near Jiufen’s Old Street. Though it’s only a five-minute walk from the Old Street, it exudes a sense of seclusion and tranquility. Next to the cottage stands a red-brick structure that resembles a ruin, with all manner of wild plants growing freely within. Though natural, it is not cluttered; it feels as if the old and the new have been misplaced in time, creating the impression of an exquisite building nestled amidst ruins.
Deep in the residential area of Jiufen
"The Hidden Forest," a secluded, stand-alone bed-and-breakfast
After booking a room online, a representative from Hidden Forest will contact you via LINE. Before your departure, they’ll not only provide pre-trip instructions but also a list of recommended local shops in Jiufen.
When we arrived in Jiufen during the day, my friend and I first went to the famous “Shi Bu Yan” to try their renowned dried fish, then headed to “Wild Herbs Gallery,” a café recommended by our host, for coffee. It wasn’t until 3:00 p.m. that we took a leisurely stroll to check in.
After arriving at the Hidden Forest, the butler came to meet us and gave us a quick, brief tour of the house’s amenities. As soon as he left, my friend and I couldn’t wait to jump onto the big, soft bed and start enjoying our little getaway to Jiufen.
Spacious open-concept layout
Blending the warmth of wood with the ruggedness of concrete
The interior features an open-concept design, with the spacious layout seamlessly blending the warmth of wood tones with the rugged charm of industrial-style concrete. Scattered throughout are metal accents, dried flowers, potted plants, and exquisite home decor items, which together create a rich, lived-in atmosphere with depth and character.
The interior is divided into living, dining, sleeping, and bathroom areas. One wall features a large floor-to-ceiling window, offering a unique view of the neighboring ruins, Green plants grow wildly amidst the rain and mist of this mountain town, thriving endlessly and brimming with lush greenery, making one feel surrounded by nature that seems to exist beyond the mundane world.
The cabin has two double beds separated by a low concrete wall and can accommodate up to four people. However, the nightly rate of 5,500 is based on two guests; any additional guests will incur an extra charge.
On the small table outside the inn’s entrance, the beautiful candlelight flickered gently, and the aromatherapy diffuser quietly released an enchanting scent; inside the cabinet, there were other scents of essential oils to choose from.
The caretaker at the Hidden Forest has also provided umbrellas, a first-aid kit, hand sanitizer, and a machine for drying shoes and socks; the cottage is fully equipped with everything you need.
Taking a bath in front of floor-to-ceiling windows
Relax with a milk bath and a face mask
There are two bathrooms in the cottage; the smaller one has only a toilet and a sink, while the larger one has a beautiful bathtub.
As soon as we opened the door to the large bathroom, my friend and I both couldn’t help but gasp in awe. The bathroom’s design gave it the feel of a cave, Outside the large floor-to-ceiling windows, plants of varying heights swayed in the breeze, and natural light streamed into the room, casting a soft, luminous glow on the white bathtub. The scene was truly refreshing and uplifting—it made us want to run a hot bath right away and sink into the tub to enjoy the moment.
The Forest of the Hidden Gods came with two packets of milk bath salts and two face masks, That evening, for the first time in a long while, I soaked in the bath while applying a face mask. I closed my eyes and listened to the wind whistling outside and the gentle sound of rain hitting the leaves, feeling my skin enveloped by the warm yet gentle water. I felt my soul relax deeply and sink to the bottom of the tub, while the purified, crystalline essence of my spirit floated lightly upward, transforming into the white mist rising from the surface of the hot water and dispersing into the refreshing cool air.
Taking a bath here was such a treat. Even though my friend and I only stayed one night, we both took a bath once in the morning and once in the evening—and we still wanted more.
Making breakfast with friends in the morning light
A table full of delicious food gives you a real sense of accomplishment.
Breakfast at the Hidden Forest is quite unique. The butler has stocked an antique-style cabinet with a full set of cooking utensils and filled a small refrigerator with milk, juice, bread, kiwis, butter, jam, eggs, coffee beans, and other ingredients, so guests can prepare their own breakfast.
My friend and I got up early, took a bath first, and then made breakfast together in the beautiful morning light.
My friend and I chatted as we divided up the tasks. After grinding the coffee beans, I brewed the coffee by hand using hot water, while my friend used the cute breakfast maker to fry eggs and sausages and toast bread. Before long, the entire cottage was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, the scent of sizzling sausages, and the simple, rustic smell of toasted bread. Next, we sliced some kiwis and arranged the piping-hot food on plates. In an instant, a bountiful and sumptuous breakfast spread before us, giving us a great sense of accomplishment.
In a mountain town shrouded in misty rain
Spend an unforgettable day and night
At night, we went for a walk on the old street. There were few people around, and the red lanterns cast a magical glow over this mountain town. It began to rain in sporadic showers, and we stopped at Auntie A-Gan’s for some piping-hot red bean and taro balls while gazing out the window at the misty, rain-shrouded nighttime seascape. When we got hungry, we headed to A-Mei Teahouse for a bite to eat, then strolled leisurely back to the Hidden Forest.
This little getaway, which we squeezed in amidst our busy schedules, lasted only a day and a night, but it brought me closer to my friends and deeply rejuvenated both my body and mind. When we left, we were all radiant with renewed energy.
A Day Magazine
Date of Report: February 8, 2022