Taichung Lychee Mini-Trip: Pick, Eat, and Take Home 3 Pounds of Fresh Lychees

▲Taichung Lychee Bus Fruit-Picking Fun. (Photo / from the “Big Fun Taichung” Facebook page, the same below.)

Reporter Chen Hanyin / Compiled Report

A quintessential summer memory in Taiwan is that bunch of bright, glistening red lychees. Peeling back their shells to reveal plump, crystal-clear flesh makes it hard to stop at just one. To promote local fruit and boost tourism, the Taiping District Farmers' Association in Taichung has launched the “Lychee Bus Fruit-Picking Fun” event, allowing visitors to experience the joy of harvesting right at the source.

▲Both kids and adults can enjoy the fun of picking fruit.

To provide an in-depth travel experience for visitors from all over, the Taiping Farmers' Association has partnered with local lychee growers to launch a one-day fruit-picking tour by bus. Led by guides, tourists will try their hand at indigo dyeing, visit Moshi Dun Story Island to learn about bees, see a 300-year-old camphor tree, explore old-style farms, and finally each person can harvest 3 pounds of lychees to take home.

▲You can also take home a bounty of lychees.

Travelers who prefer independent travel can also book a spot on the lychee-picking activity. There are five sessions per day, each limited to 50 people, where you can pick and eat sweet lychees fresh off the tree. Due to climate conditions and damage from stink bugs, this year’s lychee yield is much lower than last year’s, so those looking to taste these sweet fruits early should seize the opportunity.

“Lychee Farmers’ Tour Bus Itinerary”
Dates: June 24 (Sat), June 25 (Sun), July 1 (Sat), July 2 (Sun)
Fee: NT$990 per person (original price NT$2000)

“Independent Travel Lychee-Picking Activity” (by reservation only)
Dates: June 24 – July 2, daily at 9 AM, 10 AM, 2 PM, 3 PM, 4 PM * Each person can take home 3 pounds of lychees
Fee: Limited to 50 people per session; adults NT$150 each, children (under 12) NT$50 each * Adults can take home 2 pounds of lychees, children can take home 1 pound of lychees.