Catch a glimpse of Tainan’s “most beautiful flower avenue in the world” — the cotton tree blossoms now only 20% in bloom, expected to peak mid-March

▲ Currently, the Lin Chu Pi Cotton Tree Avenue in Tainan has only around 20% of its blossoms open, scattered along the pond's edge. (Photo / Screenshot fromBaihe District Office, Tainan Cityofficial Facebook page)

Reported by Cao Yuehua / Interview & Writing

It’s that time of year again when the “most beautiful flower avenue in the world” bursts into bloom. Tainan’sLin Chu Pi Cotton Tree Avenuehas seen its popularity soar since being ranked among the top 10 dreamy streets worldwide by a foreign website in 2015, attracting over 300,000 visitors annually on pilgrimage.Currently, only about 20% of the cotton tree blossoms have opened. The Baihe District Office of Tainan City is urging the public to wait patiently, estimating that mid-March will be when the trees are at their most resplendent.

▲ Photo shows partial blossom conditions as of February 23. (Photo / Screenshot fromBaihe District Office, Tainan Cityofficial website)

Although currently only around 20% of the blossoms are out, Lin Chu Pi Cotton Tree Avenue still sees a fair number of visitors. However, as the leaves on the main street haven’t fully fallen yet, the area remains mostly green. To see the vibrant orange-red cotton tree blossoms in full bloom, you’ll need to head to the edge of the Lin Chu Pi pond — though only a couple of trees there have begun to flower. The district office estimates that if the weather clears up in the coming days, it will take roughly another 10 days for the buds to gradually bloom, spectacularly decorating the several-kilometer-long avenue with their brilliance.

▲ Though the peak bloom season in mid-March is still a little ways off, many visitors are already heading to the avenue to take photos. The lush green street offers a different kind of beauty. (Photo / Provided by IG, please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)@sunn1225Provided content. Please do not reproduce or take photos without permission to avoid infringement.

This year’s cotton tree blossom season officially kicks off on March 11 (Saturday). In line with its mission to nurture natural landscapes, the Baihe District Office will not hold events on the main street. However, at the information desk, activities such as free sapling giveaways, photo check-ins, and uploading pictures to receive promotional gifts will be available. For instance,this year they’re collaborating specially with the post office — simply upload a photo to receive a postcardto share the beauty of the cotton tree avenue with others.

▲ In past years, the Lin Chu Pi Cotton Tree Avenue was dyed in large swaths of orange-red as the blossoms reached full bloom. (Photo / Screenshot from Tainan Tourism official Facebook page)

In response to the opening of the International Orchid Show this year, the district office will begin placing traffic cones around the cotton tree avenue startingMarch 1 (Wednesday), and from March 4 (Saturday) to March 5 (Sunday), traffic control will be implemented at the T-junction of the cotton tree avenue, prohibiting visitor vehicles from entering the avenue.Visitors are asked to enjoy the blossoms on foot or by bicycle, to not disturb local farmers at work, and to help maintain the quality of the blossom-viewing experience, truly embodying the ideals of slow tourism.

Lin Chu Pi Cotton Tree Avenue
Location: Lin Chu Pi, Yufeng Village, Baihe District, Tainan City (you can navigate to “Baihe Lin Chu Pi Cotton Tree Avenue”, “Baihe Yufeng Elementary School”, or “Baihe Dazhu Elementary School”)
Phone: 06 840337
Bloom period: March 11 – April 4 (subject to bloom conditions)
※ For real-time bloom updates, check the Baihe District Office, Tainan Cityofficial Facebook page
※Except for walking and cycling, no other motor vehicles or motorcycles are allowed inside.
"Bicycle Rental Service"
1. No. 3 Kapok Road (on the Kapok Road of Lin Chuh-Pi); Phone: 0938619027
2. Manman Bike Rental - Houbei Station Head (next to Houbei Railway Station); Phone: 0935033043