The Huxin Winter Plum Blossom Festival opens in Ren'ai Township, kicking off a 16-day event

▲ Plum blossoms are gradually blooming around Huzhu Elementary School in Ren'ai Township and in the Xibo Plum Area, with next week expected to be the best time to admire them. (Photo by Yang Shuhuang)

▲ Due to the warm winter, this year's plum blossom season in Ren'ai Township has been slightly delayed. Many plum orchards have only just begun to bloom, but thanks to the recent cold snap, they are expected to be in full splendor next week. (Photo by Yang Shuhuang)

The "Winter Plum Blossom Festival" is an annual highlight in Ren'ai Township. To encourage visitors to explore the remote tribal areas during the plum blossom season, the Ren'ai Township Office held the opening ceremony of the "2017 Ren'ai Huxin Winter Plum Blossom Festival" at Huzhu Elementary School on the 6th. A series of celebratory activities have brought joy and liveliness to the tribes along Ren'ai Township’s Qingliu Line.

The Qingliu, Zhongyuan, and Meiyuan tribes, along with Huzhu Village, are the main settlements of the Seediq and Atayal peoples. In the Xibo Plum Area within these tribes, besides the native wild plum trees scattered across the mountains, there are also organically cultivated plum trees tended by local farmers. Every winter when the plum blossoms are in full bloom, they attract a continuous stream of visitors.

This year’s Winter Plum Blossom Festival officially commenced on the 6th with an opening ceremony presided over by Township Chief Jiang Zixin. The event featured a special performance by the Naka Hala Seediq Cultural Art Troupe from the Baran Community in Zhongyuan, showcasing captivating indigenous dances and Seediq warrior dances. The Dumi Princess team was also invited to perform at the opening, drawing large crowds of tourists.

Township Chief Jiang Zixin stated that this year’s "Huxin Winter Plum Blossom Festival" is jointly organized by the Ren'ai Township Office and the local Zhongyuan, Meiyuan, and Qingliu tribes. The festival runs from the 6th to the 21st, spanning 16 days. Free shuttle bus services are available every weekend, along with in-depth tribal guided tours. On the 13th, there will also be a tea-tasting event under the plum blossoms, among other diverse activities. Visitors can experience the hospitality and warmth of Ren'ai Township’s indigenous peoples under a shower of falling plum petals. All are welcome to visit Ren'ai to admire the plum blossoms, enjoy tea, and explore the new hidden gem of "plum blossom" scenery in the tribal countryside.