The Alishan Flower Festival Kicks Off on March 10th！ 7 Recommended Cherry Blossom Spots & Must-Know Traffic Controls

▲ Alishan cherry blossoms. (Photo / fromStrolling in the Clouds at Alishan fan page)

Reported by Lai Wen-hsuan / Taipei

The Alishan Flower Festival will run from March 10th to April 10th. To enhance the quality of flower viewing and tourism, the festival has implemented measures such as visitor volume control and reservation-based shuttle services. In addition,the fan page “Strolling in the Clouds at Alishan”also recommends seven major cherry blossom viewing spots on Alishan. The Directorate General of Highways stated that during the first three weekends after the start of the flower season, holiday traffic management measures will be in place. Individual visitors taking public transport to enter the park can enjoy a discounted entrance ticket price of NT$150.

▲ The Alishan Flower Festival is here, with 7 recommended cherry blossom spots. (Photo / by reporter Yu □ Ru)

7 Recommended Flower Viewing Spots for the Alishan Flower Festival: (Flower Conditions as of 3/3)

1. Around the Alishan Work Station:The Kawazu-zakura and Beni-shidare-zakura are in full bloom, while the Tangshi-zakura have just begun to bloom, about 1–2%. As long as there is no strong wind or heavy rain, the floral conditions can last until the King Cherry blossoms.
2. Around Zhoupingshan Park:The Kawazu-zakura, Ryukyu Beni-shidare-zakura, and Beni-shidare-zakura are in full bloom. Some of the newly planted Yoshino cherry trees along the Alishan Poetry Path are about 3–5% in bloom, while the Tangshi-zakura at the police station and supervisor area are 5–8% in bloom.
3. Xianglin Service Area (Zhenzhen Temple):The Ryukyu Beni-shidare-zakura are 80% to fully bloomed, and the Beni-shidare-zakura are in full bloom.
4. Shop & Inn Community:The Beni-shidare-zakura and Ryukyu Beni-shidare-zakura are in full bloom, the Tangshi-zakura are 3–5% in bloom, and the Azusa cherry are in full bloom.
5. Zhushan Station:The Beni-shidare-zakura are in full bloom.
6. Erwanping Youth Activity Center:The Beni-shidare-zakura and Ryukyu Beni-shidare-zakura are in full bloom.
7. Alishan Highway:The double-petal Beni-shidare-zakura (Yaezakura) at Mituo Zen Temple are in full bloom, the Mount Zhiding and Xihe Zhenghe cherry trees are 1–2% in bloom, the Fuji cherry are 70% to fully bloomed, and the Kurobe cherry at Shizilu are 2–3% in bloom.

▲ To improve the quality of flower viewing and tourism, the Alishan Flower Festival has implemented visitor volume controls. (Photo / from Alishan Forest Recreation Area Fan Group)

Related Traffic Management Measures:

I. Visitor Volume Control:10,000 group visitors, 2,000 overnight visitors, 2,000 individual visitors, plus 2,000 people entering the mountain outside controlled hours, totaling 16,000 visitors per day.

II. Reservation-based Shuttle Services
(1) Group Tourists: Must register and make a reservation through the group visitor diversion and entry reservation system of the Chiayi Forest District Office. Then, present the ticket at the parking area 300 meters past the Wuhuliao Bridge on Highway 18, Kilometer 29, to purchase the entrance ticket.
(2) Independent Drivers (Visitors Not in Groups) During Controlled Hours
1. The public can use the HeXin Bus ticketing system available at convenience stores such as Uni-President, FamilyMart, and Hi-Life across Taiwan. Select a suitable bus schedule based on the desired date, time, and parking availability (at 88 New Shelter, Highway 18, Kilometer 61), then book and reserve a seat. Arrive at the designated time and location to transfer to the bus that will take you up the mountain.
2. The reservation system has been open for seat bookings since midnight on Thursday, February 23, 2017. Reservations can be made up until midnight the day before each controlled entry day, and many seats are still available—please make use of this service.

▲ Cherry blossoms in Alishan are in full bloom. To avoid overcrowding, traffic control measures are in place. (Photo / from theAlishan New Impressions Facebook fan page, originally taken by the Alishan Forest Recreation Area Office)

III. Passenger Vehicle Control
(1) Controlled Period: On weekends during the first three weeks of the flower season (March 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 — a total of 6 days), small vehicles from the Chiayi side are restricted from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and large buses from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. From the Nantou side, the restriction is from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
(2) Controlled Section: From the Hudi area at Kilometer 65.5 on Highway 18 (Chiayi side) to the Tatachia area on Highway 21 (Nantou side). Except for those holding relevant documentation (such as work permits or accommodation certificates) or under special circumstances (such as weddings, funerals, or celebrations), small vehicles are prohibited.

IV. Public Transport Transfer Services:High-speed rail Chiayi Station, Chiayi County Bus Office – Taiwan Railways Chiayi Station, as well as at 88 New Shelter on Highway 18, Kilometer 61, and Tatachia on Highway 21, all offer bus services for passenger transfers.