The plum blossom forest at Qilan Villa resembles a snowy wonderland, drawing visitors from far and wide

▲ A plum blossom forest that looks like snow. (Photo / Provided by Makau Ecological Park)

Reported by Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

No bitter cold, no sweet fragrance. Winter is the season of plum blossoms. Starting in December, plum trees across Taiwan begin to bloom one after another. At Qilan Villa in Makau Ecological Park, the plum blossoms also start flowering around mid-December. Currently, about 50% of the blossoms have opened, creating a plum blossom forest that looks like a snow-covered landscape, attracting many visitors who come specifically for the sight.

The plum blossom forest at Qilan Villa consists of old plum trees that are 40 to 50 years old, planted back during the early period of the Veterans Affairs Nursery. Every year when the blossoms are in full bloom, the plum blossom tunnels and the snow-white petals falling like snow make Qilan Villa the most famous plum blossom viewing spot in Yilan. This year’s plum blossoms bloomed about half a month earlier than usual, and the area is now covered in white, making it the perfect time for flower viewing.

Welcoming 2014, the Makau Spring Flower Season has officially begun. From January 4 to February 28, 2014, Makau Ecological Park is launching a “One-Day Flower Viewing Tour,” departing every Saturday and Sunday (including Lunar New Year holidays and February 28), with pick-up at Exit 4 of Taipei’s Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall MRT Station, including full transportation and guided tours.

%The plum trees that visitors will see are all 40 to 50 years old. (Image / Provided by Makau Ecological Park)