“May Snow” Blooms Nationwide as Phoenix Trees Flourish & “Phoenix Tree Joy Festival” Kicks Off This Saturday

Reported by You t
ru / Taipei

As spring arrives, phoenix trees across Taiwan are in full bloom. The New Taipei City Hakka Phoenix Tree Festival, themed “Phoenix Tree Joy,” will commence this Saturday (April 27). Five districts—Tucheng, Shenkeng, Ruifang, Sanchih, and Sanxia—are all hosting phoenix tree-related events. Keelung’s Phoenix Tree Festival will also take place at the Boy Scouts Activity Center in Nuannuan District. Across northern Taiwan, “May snow” is falling, creating a romantic scene.


▲ Phoenix trees in full bloom in Shenkeng District, New Taipei City. (Photo / Courtesy of the Hakka Phoenix Tree Festival Facebook Page)

This year’s Hakka Phoenix Tree Festival in New Taipei City adopts the theme “Phoenix Tree Joy,” featuring creatively designed phoenix tree appreciation activities in Tucheng, Shenkeng, Ruifang, Sanchih, and Sanxia districts. On April 27, the opening ceremony in Tucheng will feature a “Phoenix Tree Snow Launch Ceremony.” Visitors who capture the touching moment of phoenix blossoms fluttering through the air can receive a special happiness gift related to the flowers.

On April 28, “Eternal Bond of Phoenix Hearts, Love Set in Ruifang” will be held at Fuxing Temple in Jiqing Li, Ruifang District, unveiling another hidden gem preserved since the Japanese colonial era—the Sijiaoting Fort. On May 4, in Hengshan Li, Sanchih District, activities will combine waterwheels and phoenix blossom trails to create a “Sanchih Love Song,” integrating the Hakka Phoenix Tree Festival and guided tours of six waterwheel parks to form a one-day sightseeing loop. Additionally, there will be the “New Taipei Phoenix Joy, Cyclists Chase Hakka” event, encouraging the public to cycle and enjoy the phoenix blossoms in Tucheng and Sanxia districts, with rest stops offering refreshments and stamp-collecting opportunities. Those who collect five event stamps on the day can redeem an 80 NT$ voucher for use at stalls at the final stop.

On May 5, the “Phoenix Blossoms & Tofu Love in Shenkeng” event will be held at Tianlong Temple Square in Shenkeng District. In addition to enjoying a flower-lined walking trail, visitors can savor creative tofu dishes inspired by the festival, such as “Black Bean & Mulberry White Phoenix Blossom Tofu.” Those interested in a “One-Day Phoenix Blossom Tour” may refer to the various tour routes and blooming updates available and admire the springtime spectacle of “May snow” blanketing the sky.


▲ Current status of phoenix tree blooms across Taiwan. (Photo / Courtesy of the 2013 Hakka Phoenix Tree Festival Website)