It’s so hot in summer that people feel sluggish and flowers don’t grow well, leaving everyone feeling lethargic. Yet the giant waterlily thrives in the heat, and this year it’s growing faster and better than ever, with leaves even having the chance to break the 100-kilogram weight-bearing record.
In the morning, head to Guanyin Township in Taoyuan to admire the lotuses and take photos sitting on the lily pads – a fun mix of activity and stillness. Then stay at the “Southern Manor” in Zhongli for some water play and a night market stroll, sampling Beijing-style leek pancakes. The next day, visit Jiudou Village in Xinyi for trampoline jumping, water fights, and sand sculpting. This two-day Taoyuan trip offers flowers, sand, water, and food, guaranteed to tire out the little ones, ensuring a good night’s sleep afterward.
■ Hot Weather Boosts Growth, Challenging the 100-Kg Record
The closest lotus-viewing area to northern Taiwan is Guanyin Township in Taoyuan, where the giant waterlily steals the spotlight. Originally from the Amazon River basin in Brazil, the giant waterlily is the “strongman” of the lotus world, hence its grand name, also known as the “Emperor.” Recently, the giant waterlily has shown its imperial strength, with leaves capable of supporting people weighing around 50 kilograms, and even up to 80 kilograms – truly the cream of the crop.
Giant waterlilies bloom from July to September each year. While ordinary lotuses are usually the stars and their leaves play a supporting role, the opposite is true for the giant waterlily – the leaves take center stage, not the flowers. Wu Jinchang, owner of Zhenglong Leisure Farm, said: “The leaves live for about two weeks and can grow up to two meters in diameter. Visitors can even sit on them. Two years ago, one leaf supported a visitor weighing 98 kilograms. This year, with the ‘great weather,’ we expect to break the record, aiming for 100 kilograms.”
■ Growing Rapidly, Flowers Turn from White to Red
The growth rate of the giant waterlily is astonishing. Once the small leaves float to the surface, they grow an average of 20–30 centimeters per night. “While humans grow an inch a day, the giant waterlily grows a foot a day,” said Wu Jinchang. While everyone focuses on the star leaves, the giant waterlily flowers are also quite fascinating. “They last about five days – the first day they’re white, the second day they turn red, and in just 24 hours, it’s like a woman completely changing her look.”
Besides the giant waterlily, Zhenglong Farm also features various types of lotuses, water lilies, and recreational activities such as feeding sheep and fish, gourd painting, and fishing, as well as offering lotus-themed meals.
(For more travel reports by Lee An-jun, visit
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