【Friday Fun in Taiwan】Sky Lantern Police Station Debuts, Best Time to View Cherry Blossoms at Tianyuan Temple This Week

Taiwan’s mountain cherries, double-flowered cherries, and Yoshino cherries take turns blooming romantically across various districts in New Taipei City, the city of romantic cherry blossoms. March is the prime season for the elegant and romantic pink Yoshino cherries. According to updates from the Tamsui Tianyuan Temple Flower Condition Report fan page, due to recent heavy spring rains, many blossoms have fallen, leaving only about 60% of the Yoshino cherry blossoms remaining at Tianyuan Temple this morning, while around 40% of the trees have started sprouting green leaves. Visitors hoping to catch the peak bloom should hurry.

 

Additionally, due to the limited width of Beixin Road, to avoid traffic congestion and safety risks on the way to Tianyuan Temple, flexible traffic control measures will be implemented every weekend holiday from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM from now until March 31. It is recommended that cherry blossom viewers use public transportation whenever possible.

 

Location: Wujitianyuan Temple, Tamsui District, New Taipei City

The second phase of the “1,600 Pandas World Tour – Taipei” public art exhibition will officially debut today (14th) at the Arts Square of the National Theater and Concert Hall. In addition to the original 1,600 paper pandas, 200 paper Taiwanese black bears—iconic local protected animals—have been added. When the first phase of the “1,600 Pandas World Tour – Taipei” was displayed at Taipei City Hall Plaza, it attracted nearly 1.04 million visitors. The second phase will be exhibited at the Arts Square of the National Theater and Concert Hall from March 14 to March 30. The public is welcome to come and see it.

 

Location: Arts Square of the National Theater and Concert Hall

Date: March 14 to March 30

The “New Taipei City Police Department Ruifang Precinct Pingxi Substation” (Sky Lantern Police Station), featuring the large exterior design of a sky lantern, will officially open on March 14. To highlight Pingxi’s local characteristics, the New Taipei City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau commissioned the architectural team of Chang Che-Fu—who has designed distinctive buildings such as the “Kaohsiung MRT Central Park Station,” “Qingshui Rest Area,” and “Minneapolis Walker Art Center”—to create the Sky Lantern Police Station. In addition to maintaining local public safety, once operational, it will offer tourism consultation, scenic viewpoints, a bike station, restrooms, and light meals. The uniquely large “Police Sky Lantern” also allows visitors to make personalized wishes and enjoy an hourly sky lantern show. To complement the inauguration of the substation, the Tourism and Travel Bureau has also launched a series of activities such as the “Romantic Sky Lantern Release,” “Light Up Happiness Package,” and “Pingxi Mini Trip,” aiming to provide visitors with a unique and memorable travel experience.

 

Location: No. 141, Section 2, Jing’an Road, Pingxi District, New Taipei City

On March 10, the Chiayi Forest District Office under the Forestry Bureau held the opening ceremony of the Alishan Flower Festival at Zhapin Park within Alishan National Forest Recreation Area, marking the official start of the one-month spring flower season. The “King Cherry Blossom” in front of the Alishan Work Station has now bloomed by 80%, signaling that the best time to view the blossoms is approaching. In addition, to better serve flower-viewing tourists, the Chiayi Forest Management Office has innovatively launched the “Alishan Cherry Blossom Fun – Mobile Guide APP” for the first time this year. Through Android smartphones or tablets, visitors can access popular flower-viewing routes, the latest events, and blossom conditions within the Alishan park area. The app also provides helpful planning tools such as temperature forecasts, sunrise times, and the forest railway schedule.

 

Location: Alishan National Forest Recreation Area