Written by Administrator

One thing that has always disappointed me about working out in Shoufeng Township at Dong Hwa University over the past three years was that there isn’t a pub either on the campus or in the neighboring village of Jhihsyue (Zhixue) where you can have a quiet beer after work. However there is one that has been there the whole time, only I didn’t know it existed until very recently. Head south on Highway 9 until you pass the 215km marker. Turn left at the 7-11 on to what the students call Jhihsyue St which runs down to the back gate of Dong Hwa University. Half way down is a large supermarket on the right. Turn left just before this and go down a long country lane. Café 9803 is on its own a couple of hundred meters on the right situated in nice countryside with a great view of Liyu Mountain from the large windows.

Café 9803 is a coffee shop during the day which then doubles as a bar in the evening. It is built in the style of a lounge bar and has a wide selection of bottled Belgian beers including Hoegaarden at NT$120 a bottle. The clientele of course is mainly comprised of Dong Hwa students but they’re not quaffing ales like western students would be in such a place, but rather drinking tea or coffee or working in small groups on assignments! However for me it’s a great place just to mellow out, listen to some relaxing music and have a beer.

The manager is a pleasant fellow called Albert, a native of Suao in Ilan who graduated in Chinese Literature from Dong Hwa three years ago. Albert tells me that a new menu is in the pipeline as well as outdoor seating which would make for a very nice beer garden. He also says that in the near future on Friday nights cocktails will be on special.

So next time you’re out for a bike ride, stop by Café 9803, sit back and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Shoufeng countryside and sip an ice cold Belgian beer!

No.22 Rong Guang St.
Jhihsyue Village
Shoufeng Township
Hualien County
03-866-1985

Opening Hours: 1pm-1am daily
No Smoking inside
Closed during summer and winter vacations.