New Taipei City’s Cherry Blossom Season Begins – 11 Hotspots & Event Info

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Team
 
The 2016 New Taipei City cherry blossom season has arrived. Currently, areas such as Sanchi’s Qingshan Road, Tamsui’s Hefei Cherry Blossom Avenue, Sanxia’s Xiongkong Tea Plantation, and the Taiji Ridge in Shihu District are covered in buds. Due to weather conditions, this year’s cherry blossoms are blooming later than usual. As of the 28th, only 20–30% of the blossoms have opened, but it is expected that during the Lunar New Year holiday, visitors can enjoy the full splendor of blooming cherry blossoms.

Li Wen, Director of New Taipei City’s Agriculture Bureau, stated that the city has over 150,000 cherry blossom trees. First, the pink-petaled ‘Taiwan Mountain Cherry’ heralds the season in January and February, followed by the multi-petaled ‘Yaezakura’ (double-flowered cherry) blooming brilliantly, and then the pale pink ‘Yoshino Cherry’ adorning the city in March. Cherry blossom viewing spots include Sanchi’s Dahu Road, Qingshan Road, Wooden Clog Lane, and Tamsui’s Hefei Cherry Blossom Avenue, as well as popular destinations like Shihu District’s Taiji Ridge, Wulai District’s Waterfall Park, and Shiding District’s Ergo Road.

During the cherry blossom season, various districts in New Taipei City have launched a series of cherry blossom events. First up is the “2016 Hefei Cherry Blossom Hiking Event” on January 31. The Agriculture Bureau noted that the Hefei Cherry Blossom Avenue boasts a significant number of beautiful cherry blossoms each year. This year, Tamsui District Office has combined flower viewing with hiking, organizing a fun stamp-collecting challenge with prizes. There will also be a farmers’ market and balloon performances, allowing participants to enjoy a unique holiday experience beyond just admiring the blossoms.