Be sure to stand under the trees and experience the beautiful and fragrant Chiayi "Neem Tree Green Tunnel"

Text and photos byDouglas Fang　Visit date: 2016.4.5

ThisNeem Tree Tunnel in Liujiao, Chiayiwas actually something I’d heard about last year, but I never got the chance to go. I took the opportunity to visit on the last day of the four-day Qingming holiday. I set off early from Douliu, first went to the cherry blossom avenue in front of Makuang Junior High School in Tuku, then made a detour to Beigang for some snacks before heading toward Liujiao. This year, the cherry blossom avenue in front of Makuang Junior High School in Tuku has quite a lush bloom, and the flowering period also roughly falls within this one or two weeks. It can be combined with the neem tree tunnel in Liujiao for a one-day trip around Yunlin and Chiayi, along with stops at the National Palace Museum Southern Branch, trying chicken rice in Chiayi City, and visiting Beigang Old Street.

Last year, there was also a golden trumpet tree trail next to the Liujiao neem tree tunnel, but unfortunately, the golden trumpet trees across Taiwan weren’t in great bloom this year.

The location of this green tunnel isn’t hard to find. Coming from Beigang, head toward Xingang, and when you see Provincial Highway 37 (the one parallel to the high-speed rail), turn right. After driving a short distance, turn right onto Chiayi Route 166, then about one kilometer later, turn left onto Anwan Bridge. Once you cross Anwan Bridge, the neem tree green tunnel will be on your left. If you’re using Google Maps, just search for “Liujiao Anwan Bridge,” and this neem tree green tunnel is actually a flood prevention road located beside the Puzi River embankment.

I don’t know much about neem trees. In spring’s colorful floral world, the flowers of the neem tree aren’t particularly eye-catching—white with a hint of purple, which is quite unique. Perhaps the neem tree isn’t as showy as cherry blossoms or azaleas, but its fragrance is very captivating to me.When taking photos in the neem tree green tunnel, what impressed me most was that fragrance. The impression that fragrance left on me was even stronger than the beauty of the green tunnel itself. It’s hard to describe in words—you really have to be there in that environment to understand what I mean.

The length of this neem tree green tunnel is quite long. I personally think the most beautiful part is near the side closer to Anwan Bridge, because the height and density of the neem trees there are both excellent. The entire neem tree green tunnel is perfect for parking your car to the side and slowly strolling through the greenery. However, it is still a road, so do watch out for traffic.

Even when fully bloomed, the neem tree flowers remain rather understated, and you could easily miss them if not paying attention.

Shooting from the embankment angle gives a different feeling. That day, a very kind older gentleman recommended that I definitely come up to the embankment to take photos.

The Liujiao Neem Tree Green Tunnel is not far from Chiayi City or Beigang. Nearby, you’ll also find the National Palace Museum Southern Branch and the Suantou Sugar Refinery.

My itinerary that day was: Douliu → Houwei Cotton Tree Road → Tuku Cherry Blossom Avenue → Beigang Old Street (Ah Feng’s Mianxian and Rixingtang) → Liujiao Neem Tree Green Tunnel → Taibao National Palace Museum Southern Branch → Chiayi City Heping Fire Chicken Rice. This route flowed quite smoothly, but the cherry blossom avenue and the neem tree tunnel are likely only in bloom for at most another two weeks, so everyone should hurry up and plan a trip while you can!!!

Neem Tree Green Tunnel
Liujiao Township, Chiayi County – Flood Prevention Road Along Guogou Embankment (Search “Liujiao Anwan Bridge” on Google Maps)

Douglas Fang
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