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When Portuguese sailors happened upon Taiwan in 1544, they dubbed it “Ilha Formosa,” or beautiful island. Yet today the province is better known for its industrial output and its sovereignty tussle with China. The worst of crimes? Visitors often stick to bustling Taipei or the east coast — entirely sidestepping Tainan County, the island’s cultural and gastronomic wonderland, in the south. But now a new bullet train links Tapei to the ancient capital of Tainan City, while its bucolic hinterland has been reborn by a burgeoning crop of “leisure farm” resorts. The idea: leave your worries in the city. Kick back in the countryside. See some farm animals. Take a dip. And eat authentic Taiwanese homecooking like it’s going out of style. Among the top agrotourism destinations is Da-Keng Farm, home to a natural hot-spring spa, freshwater pool and duplex log cabins. You can also enjoy a 10-course meal featuring rosemary pork sausages and beansprout-stuffed flowers. Another contender is the hilltop Xianhu Farm, where city slickers can commune with nature while sampling a spot of wild boar, or sushi with dragon fruit.