Taiwan’s Most Beautiful Romantic “Running Track”: Five Thousand “Cold-Weather Cherry Blossoms” in Full Bloom at Sun Moon Lake’s Nine Tribes

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

The 2013 “Sun Moon Lake Cherry Blossom Dance Lakeside Fun Run” is set to grandly commence on February 24th. During the event period, the cherry blossoms around Sun Moon Lake are in full bloom. Combining a fun run with a cherry blossom festival, this offers the most picturesque and romantic running course in Taiwan. Not only can participants enjoy the beautiful spring scenery of Sun Moon Lake, but they can also take a boat ride on the lake to admire the blooming cherry blossoms from a unique perspective.


▲ Experience the joy of tea ceremony under the cherry blossom trees. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Bureau)

The Sun Moon Lake Administration and the Republic of China Sports and Leisure Promotion Association are hosting the “Sun Moon Lake Cherry Blossom Dance Lakeside Fun Run” for the first time this year. The event is divided into a “29K Lakeside Loop Group,” a “12K Challenge Group,” and a “3K Family Group.” Participants will depart from the Xiangshan Visitor Center and embark on a stunning journey along the lakeside road, featuring continuous beautiful mountain and water views. The 3K group will finish at the Shuishe Pier; the 12K group’s finish line is at the Ita Thao Pier, where they can take a shuttle boat back to the Shuishe Pier.

The Lakeside Loop Group spans 29K, requiring runners to circle Sun Moon Lake once to complete the race. The route is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and a profusion of falling cherry blossoms. After completing the 3K and 12K courses, runners will walk along what was voted one of the world’s top ten cycling paths by CNN GO, returning to the main Xiangshan event venue. The Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration warmly invites people from all over the country to join in the healthy, cherry blossom-filled experience at Sun Moon Lake and enjoy a slow jog in the heart of the lake.

Now in its 13th year, the Sun Moon Lake Nine Tribes Cherry Blossom Festival is considered Taiwan’s largest cherry blossom event and a top choice for springtime blossom viewing. It is also East Asia’s earliest cherry blossom festival. The breathtaking sight of over five thousand bright red cold-weather cherry blossoms in full bloom in the park is truly astonishing. The floral season is beautiful both day and night—during the day, the fluttering cherry blossoms offer an incredible view, and at night, the romantic illumination show of the night blossoms is absolutely captivating. With special discounted tickets during the flower season at just NT$580 (original price NT$780), and night cherry blossom afternoon tickets at only NT$450, plus a round-trip Sun Moon Lake gondola ride included.


▲ Drinking tea under the cherry blossom trees. (Photo / Provided by Tourism Bureau)

It’s particularly worth mentioning that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the cultural exchange between the Sun Moon Lake Nine Tribes Cherry Blossom Festival and the Japan Cherry Blossom Association. The Japan Cherry Blossom Association has recognized the Nine Tribes Cultural Village as a “Japanese Overseas Cherry Blossom Destination” and has specially issued a commemorative plaque. This is the first and only overseas cherry blossom destination to receive such certification from the Japan Cherry Blossom Association since its selection of the “Japan’s Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots” in 1990.

In the vicinity of Sun Moon Lake, besides the Nine Tribes Cultural Village and the area en route to Wushe where visitors can closely admire cherry blossoms, the National Chi-Nan University—with its flat terrain and convenient transportation—has planted thousands of Taiwan mountain cherries and Japanese somei-yoshino cherry trees on its large lawn, making it a top cherry blossom spot in recent years. From February 20th to February 28th, the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Administration and Chi-Nan University are jointly hosting the “Sun Moon Lake & Chi-Nan University Cherry Blossom Tea Gathering.” On February 20th and February 24th at 2:00 PM, two special cherry blossom tea gatherings combining humanities, art, tea ceremony, and traditional Chinese music performances will be held. On February 24th, the cherry blossom tea gathering will feature 20 tea stations, where tea masters will provide live tea ceremony experiences for visitors. Pre-registration is available for 200 visitors, who will also receive a limited-edition cherry blossom commemorative teacup (registration fee is NT$200 per person; registration forms can be downloaded from the Sun Moon Lake Scenic Area Administration website).