Head to Xinyi Township to “Seek Plum Blossoms in the Snow” – the Perfect Time to Admire Plum Blossoms and Soak in Hot Springs

The Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association’s “Seek Plum Blossoms in the Snow” event features an oak barrel rolling competition. (Photo by Liao Zhihuang)

The Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association’s “Seek Plum Blossoms in the Snow” festival kicks off at Liu Family Plum Garden in Niuchongkeng. (Photo by Liao Zhihuang)

The highlight of Nantou Flower Carnival series — the Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association’s “Seek Plum Blossoms in the Snow,” featuring oak barrel rolling and the couples’ piggyback race, kicked off on the 7th. Due to consecutive days of winter rain making the ground slippery, the couples’ piggyback race has been changed to a mixed competition of adult and youth groups, adding even more fun. Xinyi Township’s plum blossoms are now in full bloom, so enjoy the floral scenery and then head to Dongpu for a relaxing hot spring soak – your body and mind will thank you.

Now in its 18th year, the “Seek Plum Blossoms in the Snow” event featured fun competitions at Liu Family Plum Garden in Niuchongkeng. Despite recent rain making the grounds damp, a large crowd turned out to join in the fun and enjoy the plum blossom viewing experience.

Huang Zhihui, General Manager of the Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association, stated that due to weather conditions, this year’s plum blossom season is about one week later than usual. However, with recent rainfall and dropping temperatures, the plum blossoms have gradually begun to bloom, and are expected to be in full bloom over the next two weeks. He welcomes the public to come to Xinyi Township to admire the flowers and also encourages visitors to purchase high-quality agricultural specialties from the area.

Huang Zhihui explained that, due to the slippery ground and in order to prevent participants from falling and ensure safety, the competitions were adapted into a fun format. The couples’ piggyback race no longer divided participants into youth and adult groups but combined all into one. Simply “completing” the course was enough to finish the race. The top three prize-winning bottles of plum wine were evenly distributed among all participants.

Although changed to a fun format, participants in the couples’ piggyback race still gave their all after the start, racing along the course back to the finish line. Chen Jia’en from the original adult group and Hong Guoyu from the youth group tied for first place.

Chen Jia’en, who has won the championship for four consecutive years, expressed gratitude to the Xinyi Township Farmers’ Association for organizing the “Seek Plum Blossoms in the Snow” event, bringing everyone together each year. Hong Guoyu said he was happy to compete and tie for first with the multi-year champions in this mixed-format race with the adult group.

Gu Daohong, Chairman of the Dongpu Hot Spring Tourism Promotion Association in Xinyi Township, noted that Dongpu Hot Springs originate from the springs under Yushan Mountain and are the oldest hot spring area in Nantou County. They are sodium bicarbonate springs, which not only nourish the skin, but also benefit overall health. The area has seven hotels and six homestays, all legally operated, ensuring safety and quality. Various promotions are offered by the businesses on non-holidays, and visitors are welcome to come soak in the hot springs of Dongpu.

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