No longer free! Cherry blossom hotspot with 4,000 blooming trees bans utility poles from photos

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled Report

The grassy hilltop of Taoyuan Tou in central Taiwan is home to around 4,000 cherry blossom trees, which create a stunningly romantic spectacle when in full bloom, attracting many visitors for sightseeing and photography. However, utility poles often creeping into the frame tend to spoil the idyllic scene for tourists. To address this, Xinyi Township Chief Shih Chiang plans to raise funds for undergrounding power lines by introducing an entrance fee.

The Taoyuan Tou Cherry Blossom Festival, now in its eighth consecutive year, has introduced a 50 NTD admission fee. Visitors have generally supported the policy once they understand its purpose, embracing the idea of "user pays" and improved tourism quality. Those wishing to admire the cherry blossoms are advised to plan their visit during the Lunar New Year and winter break to enjoy the early blooms.

【Info】

Nantou County, Xinyi Township — Taoyuan Tou Cherry Blossom Festival

Duration: January 27 to February 28, 2018

Location: Taoyuan Tou Aquatic Park

Address: No. 1-113, Taiping Lane, Xinyi Township, Nantou County

Phone: 04-9270-1583

Shuttle Bus Hours: February 3, 4, 10, 11, 16–20, 24, 25 | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

(Shuttle Pick-up: Ai Yu Bridge on Provincial Highway 21 <->Yushan Sightseeing Tea Garden Archway)

Sanitation / Entrance Fee: 50 NTD
 

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