Xin Yuan Castle

Contrary to popular belief staying in a minsu does not mean having to squeeze on a couch in some stranger’s house. A minsu usually has a few rooms (less than five) with a range of room types like double or trip, and suitable for a small group of travellers. Most minsu are also decorated according to themes such as beach, farm, castle, fantasy, Mediterranean or simply classic.

In the Xin Yuan Castle for example, you could live like a “king” or “queen” as the minsu has décor reflecting the lavishness of a castle, from the velvet cushions to the soft floor mats and exquisite furniture.

If you love animals then the Ilancat Country House is for you. It has four cats and a Chihuahua, belonging to the owners here.You may even get to enjoy tea with these furry hosts.

There are many minsu suitable for groups, such as the  Dew B&B, an African themed villa minsu decorated with wooden furniture and four-poster canopy beds.

However, the best part of staying in a minsu are the home-cooked Taiwanese meals provided by the owners, as well as getting to know the other guests and hosts over a drink.

How to find a minsu

Searching for a minsu is not easy as most minsu sites are listed in traditional Chinese. They are thus inaccessible to search engines, as there is a lack of online publicity and standardisation for the terms. The term “minsu” in Chinese could be translated loosely into various meanings in English, from villa, hostel, homestay, resort to even farm or motel. Thus, it is hard to search for specific minsu even in Chinese.

However, there are some English sites for travellers not well versed in Chinese. One is the Singapore-based start-up, Qiito.com, which has an inventory of about 200 minsu in Taiwan on its site. Users of the site can plan itineraries, explore the map of each minsu for places to visit, as well as read up on tips from other travellers. They can book directly from the site in English, Chinese or Japanese.

Tips: Things to note when booking a minsu

• Most minsu are located in the suburbs and are hard to find. However, they usually provide transport from the nearest train stations. Prior reservation is required.

• Be sure to check the area of the minsu before booking, and arrive early in the day to avoid getting lost.

• Check for the official registration number of the minsu to ensure it is a legal accommodation. Or book from an established site. Find out more from the official sites at Taiwan Tourism Board.

• Call or email the contact person before booking. This is to ensure that the contact details given in use, and you can check with the owners on any enquiries you might have.

• Convert your currency before leaving. Take note of additional expenses like meals, daily necessities, transport and rental.

• Some minsu might not have wifi due to their suburb locations.

• Take insect repellent especially during the rainy season, or if you are staying in a farm or nature-based minsu.

Why stay in a minsu

• Good way to travel around Taiwan on a budget and live like a local.

• Unique theme and decor, each minsu has its own personality.

• Personal touch. Most owners are self-employed, relying on word-of-mouth to get guests, and they usually go out of their way to ensure their guests have an enjobale and memorable stay.

• Culinary treat of home-cook meals by minsu owner. Food prepared in minsu is often the traditional speciality of their region.

• Cheaper than a hotel

• Security and privacy due to few guests in each minsu

• Peace and quiet