Travel Weekly / Cherry Blossom Frontline – A Romantic Pink Explosion in Northern, Central, and Eastern Taiwan

Travel Center / Taipei Report

This year’s several cold fronts have arrived early, causing cherry blossoms across the country to bloom ahead of schedule. In Wulai, Nantou, Yilan, and Taitung, you can see beautiful cherry blossoms swaying in the breeze. Make the most of the weekends before Lunar New Year when crowds are still light and go cherry blossom viewing. With the misty mountain scenery and the pink cherry blossoms, the entire garden is filled with the breath of spring — a wonderful holiday begins right here.


▲The cherry blossoms in the park have already bloomed, showcasing a very charming light purple hue. (Photo by Hsieh Ju, Taiwan News)


[Wulai Yunxian Amusement Park Cherry Blossom Season]
From February every year, cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and Wulai’s mountain cherry blossoms are also in bloom. The mountain cherry, a native species of Taiwan also known as the Taiwan cherry or Formosan cherry, can be admired along the way from Xindian entering Xinyi Road. They can be seen at Yunxian Amusement Park, Waterfall Park, Lovers’ Path, Sirokan Road, Xinyi Road, and the Mountain Loop Road.

Event Dates: January 20, 2013 ~ March 31, 2013
Event Location: Wulai Yunxian Amusement Park (No. 1-1, Waterfall Road, Wulai District, New Taipei City)

[Grassland Head Cherry Blossom Season – A Feast of Flowers and Tea]
Nantou County’s Xinyi Township “Grassland Head Cherry Blossom Season” kicked off on January 19. The public enjoyed the cherry blossoms under the influence of guzheng music and fine tea. On the first day of the event, many people rushed to be among the first to admire the flowers. Traffic along the route was smooth, and spirits were high. Many visitors said the cherry blossoms were truly beautiful, calling it a hidden gem for cherry blossom viewing.

Xinyi Township’s Grassland Head Yushan Sightseeing Tea Garden has over 3,000 flowering trees. In addition to blooming cherry blossoms, there are also plum blossoms, peach blossoms, and azaleas. This year, a shuttle bus service has been added from Shenmu Village, so visitors don’t have to drive all the way up the mountain.

Feast of Flowers and Tea Events:
January 26 (Sat) 14:00–16:00: Symphony of Guzheng and Tea
February 2 (Sat) 14:00–16:00: Dialogue of Sound and Cherry Blossoms
February 3 (Sun) 14:00–16:00: Symphony of Guzheng and Tea
February 12 (Tue) 14:00–16:00: Bunun Dance Greeting the Spring Breeze
February 13 (Wed) 14:00–16:00: Dialogue of Sound and Cherry Blossoms
February 14 (Thu) 14:00–16:00: Bunun Dance Greeting the Spring Breeze
February 15 (Fri) 14:00–16:00: Symphony of Guzheng and Tea
February 16 (Sat) 14:00–16:00: Bunun Dance Greeting the Spring Breeze
February 17 (Sun) 14:00–16:00: Dialogue of Sound and Cherry Blossoms

[Magao Cherry Blossom Season]
Recently, cherry blossoms and plum blossoms have successively bloomed at Qilan Villa in Yilan County, kicking off the “Magao Cherry Blossom Season” featuring tens of thousands of cherry blossoms along Provincial Highway 7 in the area. During the flower season, there is a “Falling Cherry Blossoms” music concert both in the morning and afternoon every day, performed right under the cherry blossom trees. Qilan Villa also offers special accommodation package deals.

In previous years, the Magao Cherry Blossom Season had to wait until the Lunar New Year period for the cherry blossoms to bloom. This year, due to several cold fronts, the blossoms have arrived early. Visitors to the slightly higher-altitude Qilan Villa will immediately notice that not only are the cherry blossoms in full bloom, but the plum blossoms are too. From January 21 to the end of February, Qilan Villa holds one-hour “Falling Cherry Blossoms” music concerts at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM daily, featuring live performances by bands under the cherry blossom trees.

Event Dates: January 21, 2013 ~ February 28, 2013
Event Location: Qilan Villa (No. 6, Section 4, Tayal Road, Datong Township, Yilan County)

[Zhiben Flower Sea]
Not sure where to go now that winter vacation has started? The Zhiben Flower Sea event organized by Taitung County Farmers’ Association kicked off on January 19. The flower sea area covering a total of 2.7 hectares is planted with more than 10 types of flowers including cosmos, begonias, baby’s breath, crepe myrtle, and blue lace flower — perfect for family outings and spring walks.

Dai Cheng-tung, General Manager of Taitung County Farmers’ Association, said that the annual winter flower sea in Eastern Taiwan always attracts large numbers of tourists to the valley and east coast to enjoy the blooms. This year, to allow Taitung residents and visitors to enjoy flowers nearby, in coordination with the Council of Agriculture, a “flower sea area” has been planned on a plot of farmland near the Zhiben Dongyou Festival. The 2.5-hectare area features year-round flowering plants such as Everred and cosmos, as well as themed installations like character models, heart-shaped gates, and flower-viewing paths made with potted plants and straw. Due to the extended planting period this year, the flower viewing period will last until March, with the flowers at their most lush during the Lunar New Year holiday.

Event period: January 19, 2013 ~ March 31, 2013
Event location: Beinan Township, Taitung County

  
▲From now until March, cherry blossoms across various regions will gradually become more lush. (Photo / Reporter You... [Note: character rendering issue])