Forecast: Best Flower Conditions in Over a Decade Ahead of the 23rd “Snow Trekking & Plum Blossom Viewing” Event on the Xinzhongheng Highway

During the 21st warm-up event for “Snow Trekking & Plum Blossom Viewing,” the Pasibutbut (Eight-Part Harmony for Millet Harvest) performed by Bunun students from Xinxing Elementary School was a major highlight. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

Organizers of “Snow Trekking & Plum Blossom Viewing” demonstrated how to make the “Plum Sushi Relay” on the opening day, emphasizing mutual cooperation among high-quality agricultural producers to create distinctive offerings. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

A couple carries the prize-winning “Mala Shan 11-Degree Dark Plum Wine,” which won the gold medal just last month at the Council of Agriculture’s “2017 Rural Winery and Liquor Evaluation.” (Drinking in excess is harmful to health) (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

The “hidden scenic spot” plum blossom sea at Liujia Plum Garden is spectacular, but the Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association forecasts that “this season’s bloom will be even better.” (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

The flower sea at Waipingding in 2015. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

The blooming scene at Tuchang in 2016. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

The annual “Snow Trekking & Plum Blossom Viewing” plum blossom appreciation season in Xinyi Township, Nantou, will kick off on the 23rd at the Plum Dream Factory. On January 7th, the theme day will move to Liujia Plum Garden in Niuchongkeng, featuring a “Couple Carrying” competition where the winning couple will receive as many bottles of the nationally awarded “Mala Shan 11-Degree Dark Plum Wine” as the kilograms of the carried partner’s weight. At the 21st warm-up event, organizers have already announced: “The best flower conditions in over a decade!”

Huang Zhihui, General Manager of Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association, stated that since the start of winter this year, several cold fronts have brought ample moisture, and snow has already fallen on Yushan several times. Compared to previous years, the temperature and humidity conditions this winter are considered the most suitable for normal plum blossom blooming. Based on the bud and early bloom observations across various settlements and plum gardens, this season’s flower conditions will be the best in over ten years.

Liu Qingxiang, owner of Niuchongkeng Liujia Plum Garden—one of Xinyi Township’s key plum blossom viewing spots—also said that in fact, whether the floral conditions are good or bad at the end of each year can be roughly predicted halfway through when harvesting occurs in April or May. Plants have productive and less-productive years, and harvest quality generally cycles every three years. Though not absolute, experienced plum farmers can glean clues from the plant’s dryness and sprouting during harvest.

Liu Qingxiang said that based on plant conditions in early summer this year, it was already possible to foresee that the blossom conditions would be excellent—with at least a 50% accuracy rate. The other 50% depends on nature. If weather conditions continue to contradict the plants’ physiological needs, then even the gods can’t help. But so far, things really do look good, and a full bloom is expected.

Huang Zhihui pointed out that this series of events has reached its 18th edition this year. Looking back at its inception, it was originally positioned as a regional plum blossom viewing itinerary along the Xinzhongheng Highway in Xinyi Township. Later, with the support and attention of Magistrate Lin Mingzhen, it expanded to its current scale.

Wang Yuanzhong, Director of the County Government’s Tourism Division, said that this year’s event is part of Nantou County’s Flower Carnival and is jointly organized by Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association and Jiji Town Farmers’ Association. To deepen mutual cooperation among specialty agricultural industries, the opening event on the 23rd will integrate Xinyi Township’s green plum industry with Jiji Town’s national champion pitaya and top-tier mountain bananas, hosting a “Plum Sushi Relay.”

Li Chongqing, General Manager of Jiji Town Farmers’ Association, said that the “Make Your Own Plum Sushi, Join the Thousand-Person Relay Feast” event on the 23rd has already seen hundreds of reservations. On-site registration will also be accepted on the event day for a fee of NT$100, which includes participation in the special sushi-making activity and a bonus voucher for the Home Economics Class’s special kitchen delicacy fair.

Huang Zhihui noted that the “Sweet Burden – Couple Carrying” competition to be held on January 7th at Liujia Plum Garden has been an annual event for years and has received much positive feedback. Based on past experience, most participants are husbands carrying their wives, but if a wife manages to carry her husband and wins, the number of bottles of the premium liquor rewarded will be doubled.

He said that the reward-winning “Mala Shan 11-Degree Dark Plum Wine” just won the gold medal last month at the Council of Agriculture’s “2017 Rural Winery and Liquor Evaluation,” making it the freshly crowned national champion liquor. In addition to the couple-carrying event, there is also an “Oak Barrel Rolling” competition suitable for couples and families. Both competitions offer prizes to all who register and complete the course.

Key plum blossom viewing areas in Xinyi Township include Niuchongkeng, Wusong, Fengguidou, and the relatively newly discovered Tuchang plum area near kilometer marker 98 on the Xinzhongheng Highway. Additionally, Waipingding in Tongfu Village is also worth a visit. According to Huang Zhihui’s estimate, the prime period will be the first two weeks of January next year, with the blooming season expected to last until the end of the month.

(Drinking in excess is harmful to health)