Jizheng Ranch

Review

Jizheng Ranch is on Section 3 of Zhongshan Road in Ruisui Township, Hualien County, a family-scale dairy farm. CommonWealth's Smile Taiwan features it in two Yuli and Ruisui travel guides, noting that the ranch owns low-temperature pasteurisation equipment rarely seen in Taiwan; its 65°C Xiuguluan fresh milk has therefore been dubbed the Louis Vuitton of fresh milk and is one of Ruisui's signatures besides its hot springs.

Low-temperature pasteurisation treats raw milk at a lower heat to preserve as much of its original flavour and nutrition as possible, so the milk tastes clean with a natural creaminess rather than the cooked note of typical high-heat milk. Besides milk, visitors recommend the ice cream, pudding and yoghurt, with a creamy ice cream texture, and a home-style lunch is served at midday. The sources give no prices, so check what is posted on site.

Fans praise the quality of the milk and yoghurt, the 65°C option for preserving nutrients and the rich ice cream. On a fine day you can sit gazing at the mountains in the breeze for hours, and some even feel it beats the better-known Ruisui Ranch. Critics point to old facilities and a confusing layout, few animals to see, and small enclosures for the ostrich and peacock that some find upsetting.

According to Google, it opens roughly 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the sources do not mention closing days, so check before a holiday visit. The ranch is in Ruisui near Provincial Highway 9, about ten minutes' drive from Ruisui Station, so driving or riding is easiest. Fresh milk is chilled, so bring a cooler bag if taking some away, or make it the last stop of the day.

It suits dairy lovers who want to avoid the crowds at the bigger ranches, and families bringing children to see cows and eat ice cream. Start with a bottle of the 65°C milk to compare, then order ice cream or pudding. With time to spare, stay for lunch and head to the Ruisui hot springs or the Tropic of Cancer marker in the afternoon.