Pink rays adorn the mountaintops — the cherry blossom forest is as enchanting as a hidden paradise.

Text and photos by /Gui Xiaosun


Dazhong’s Zhusui Alley, a cherry blossom secret spot that has gained popularity in recent years, was somewhere I finally made time to visit on its very first opening day this year. The weather during the Lunar New Year was quite nice, but it started to turn this past week. Yesterday morning, I woke up an hour earlier than usual, just to take advantage of the still-decent weather — at least it wasn’t raining — and head out quickly.

After doing some research, I drove to the Dazhong Jingbuku Parking Lot, which is also the Yuanshan New Village bus stop. Arriving at the parking lot in the morning around eight, there was already a crowd. The huge parking area was about 60–70% full, and the cherry blossom shuttle buses — small 20-seater vans — were running non-stop, with long queues of people waiting.

But because there were so many people, it took about 15 minutes from queuing to actually getting on a bus (based on the queue situation on 2/8). I also noticed many visitors from out of town, including quite a few elderly folks — grandparents who moved at a slower pace. Watching them, I couldn’t help but admire their spirit of traveling well into old age. It’s truly wonderful.



Taiwan’s weather always changes about a day later than the north. So while the north was seeing rain and turning colder the previous day, Taichung was still enjoying a bit more time with the better conditions. That’s exactly why, on Saturday morning, I had no excuse not to seize the best timing and come here to wait for the shuttle bus.

If you’re used to taking the bus, you can also take a bus here and then transfer. The trip from Jingbuku Parking Lot to Zhusui Alley takes about 20 minutes, and the return trip isn’t the same route, taking roughly 10 minutes. Because the mountain roads are narrow, traffic control is in place along the route — generally, vehicles aren’t allowed in after 6 a.m.

This ensures the shuttle buses can run smoothly in both directions. When you arrive at the entrance to the Zhusui Alley cherry blossom woods, be sure to take a photo of the panoramic view. Because the exit you’ll use later isn’t here, and if you miss it, you’ll have to wait until next time (the shuttle bus pick-up and drop-off points are different, as are the entrances and exits!). At this moment, looking at this sea of cherry blossoms, the pink trees stand one by one like they’ve been stuck into a vast green field — their vivid hues and the surrounding crowd blend into a beautiful scene that makes you want to step right into it.




Judging by the proportion of people, the spots where you’re standing may not seem that far from the blossoms, but there is actually some distance. So at first glance, I didn’t think the cherry blossom woods were particularly dense. But once you get inside, you’ll realize the bloom is so breathtaking that you won’t want to leave.

This is my first year here, and I overheard people who had visited before saying, “It’s even prettier this year!” The walking paths are well built, and the viewing platform is definitely not to be missed. Walking through it myself, I can’t really compare, but I must tell everyone — you have to go up to that “viewing platform,” because the view from up there is absolutely amazing.




As you walk along the path, you’ll first come across Shanben Rock, a small temple. I imagine this land probably belongs to them, and I’m happy they’ve given us the chance to enjoy this beauty together. So remember to cherish this land — don’t touch the beautiful cherry blossom trees, neither the blossoms nor the trunks. Don’t leave any trash. Never let human greatness turn into the most arrogant kind of selfishness. We should strive to become better, and make sure everything we do is good.




There are small vendors at the intersection selling rice dumplings, bowls of [unclear], and a cup of something sweet [unclear]. The food isn’t expensive, and the stall inside the junction also sells drinks. Whether you want water or coffee, there are also cold drinks and other items available. I hope you’ll remember to try them.



As soon as you enter the walking path, your eyes will light up. The first section of the cherry blossom woods here is really beautiful and spectacular — it’s also the part I found the densest and tallest. There were already many people gathered here. Remember to pause and take photos with your family or friends when you see something you like, because as you continue along the path, you’ll be heading toward the exit and won’t be coming back the same way.




Was I just lucky, or did I have a new mission — to share these beautiful things with everyone, so that even if they can’t come and walk here themselves, they can still see the beauty of Taiwan through these small actions of mine. I asked myself this as the weather forecast predicted worsening conditions, yet the sky gave me a whole morning of sunshine and blue.

Standing under the cherry blossom trees — no, I actually crouched down — because the sunlight filtered through the cherry blossoms and shone on the grass below, radiating a kind of eternal glow. I crouched there for a few minutes, still, but breathing deeply.




The early bird gets the worm, and the same goes for the people here. There were quite a few visitors, even more elderly than I expected, and plenty of solo travelers. If Japanese cherry blossoms are captivating, don’t forget — Taiwan has its own charming little spots too. To love anything, you must first learn to love yourself. Including the country you live in.







Bicycle groups and teammates are everywhere. Bikes lying casually on the slopes have a very free, laid-back vibe. Taking photos of them along with the cherry blossoms is like making a statement about life. As we go through the four seasons together, those brief moments represent deep perseverance.




I’m not a professional photographer, nor have I vowed to use top-tier cameras and lenses. I’m not even sure I could handle such equipment. I don’t know what counts as a perfect composition, or what kind of scenery could move everyone. But I do know I still love doing things my way — framing and capturing scenes from angles I enjoy.

Even if it might not be professional, I think it represents me, my perspective. I don’t aim to move everyone, just those who understand. Walking through the cherry blossom woods, I enjoy being among the crowds because I’m not an ecologist or wildlife photographer. What I want to record is “life” — our lives.








From all kinds of angles, I’m not just photographing individual cherry blossom trees. Beautiful blossoms are fleeting, but our steps will carry the joy of those fleeting moments. Look at the man who looks up because of the cherry blossoms, the children who crouch down because of them, the grandparents holding hands because of them. What could be more enchanting than that?






Remember to use the cherry blossoms as a foreground, and as a background. You’ll discover that different angles tell different stories — just like life’s problems, where different perspectives reveal different answers.




The light filters through the petals, which are like very thin, pinkish paper — so delicate a drop of water could soak through. This gathering is the magnificence of the yaezakura (double-flowered cherry), with 5,000 trees scattered across this not-so-secret secret spot, like a forest of blossoms, like a dreamy valley of cherry blooms.






With all kinds of expressions — because the weather is so nice, because it’s so easy for anyone to smile in a cherry blossom wood. If the beauty of cherry blossoms only lasts a week, how can we forget to find a favorite blossom and pause for it, just for that one week?





On the grass, you can bring a picnic mat or even just a raincoat, sit down with someone next to you, and enjoy the cherry blossom woods. The pink glow beneath the trees — bring a tripod, bring a camera, and capture a memory: the beautiful Dazhong cherry blossom woods of 2014.




If you’re here alone, take slower, gentler steps. Walk on the stone stairs as lightly as a bird tiptoeing. Because this is a wonderful spring outing just for you. Of course, everyone should learn to be alone — whether you’re married or in love — because knowing how to be alone helps you learn how to love yourself and others even more.



I highly recommend something you absolutely can’t miss: the “viewing platform”! Look up and search for it — it’s at the edge of the woods. It’s just a few steps up, and you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the entire cherry blossom forest.
 



The viewing platform was newly built this year. I’m really grateful to whoever put in the effort, allowing us to enjoy the cherry blossom woods from even more angles. Stepping onto it, the view you see is different from the panorama you saw when you first got off the bus. I personally prefer this angle — the cherry blossoms look closer, denser, and more dreamlike.





Looking at all the different angles below — the mountaintops, the walking paths, the edges of ponds... all of it is so lovable. From different vantage points, my shutter couldn’t stop clicking away photo after photo. But I really can’t show you everything, because it’s all continuous — more than 180 degrees of breathtaking view spread out right in front of you. This is truly a cherry blossom forest, I told myself.






People are appearing and disappearing under the cherry blossom forest—so enchanting. The pink blossoms overhead seem to cast dappled shade over the pedestrians strolling along the path, yet they all cherish this magical sense of partial concealment. It’s as if you’re photographing an entire sea of cherry blossoms, but you can’t help but wonder how many people are hidden within that story. So don’t miss this spot—it’s a truly one-of-a-kind viewpoint.



As we descended from the viewpoint and prepared to leave, we slowly made our way toward the exit. The crowd along the path was even larger than when we arrived, and everyone’s joyful laughter filled the air—it was pure happiness. The atmosphere of group photos felt like one sweet treat after another, melting into our hearts with warmth. The cherry blossom season is just one fleeting moment, but cherishing every such moment in life makes it richer and more vibrant, moving us beyond being mere work-driven individuals. We all deserve to treat ourselves kindly.






Here, I’d like to express my heartfelt thanks to the caretakers of this land and to the Taichung City Government, who provided convenient shuttle services for all of us, allowing us to easily access this breathtaking, soul-soothing cherry blossom haven. We look forward to its blooming splendor every year and to the continuation of these beautiful stories.

Author of this article:[Life is delightful when you embrace it. – Guo Xiaosun]  

[Daking Zhuoshui Lane Cherry Blossom Grove]