The Yangmingshan Flower Festival is in full bloom — Yoshino cherry blossoms and daffodils make their grand finale appearances

Text by MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported

 

The 2014 Yangmingshan Flower Festival runs from now until March 9. Throughout the various themed scenic areas of Yangmingshan Park — including the Floral Clock, fountains, cherry blossom groves, the visitor center, and the statue of Wang Yangming — a dazzling array of flowers are in full bloom, creating enchanting scenery. The park is home to nearly 3,200 cherry blossom trees of various types, including double-flowered cherries, mountain cherries, Showa cherries, and Yoshino cherries, which bloom in relay fashion one after another.

Each year, the two most anticipated highlights of the Yangmingshan Flower Festival are the "Yoshino Cherry Blossom Explosion" in front of the Visitor Center and the simultaneous blooming of over 8,000 daffodils by the lakeside pond at Hushan Green Space, forming a fragrant "white daffodil field." Current observations suggest that the blooms are about 50–60% open, with the peak expected to occur between February 22 and February 28. The main Yoshino cherry blossom areas within Yangmingshan Park are located in front of the Visitor Center, the lawn area opposite the fountain, and along the trail from Section 1 of Hushan Road leading to Yangmingshan Park. Meanwhile, the “White Daffodil Field” at Hushan Green Space is situated along the pedestrian-only route from the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal (on Section 1 of Hushan Road) leading to Yangmingshan Park.

 

The Park Office announced that on February 28, Zhongshan Building will offer free admission. From 9:00–10:00, there will be a guided park tour with a maximum of 300 participants. From 10:00–12:00, in the Cultural Hall of Zhongshan Building, a concert titled “When the Floral Clock Chimes,” performed by the Taipei Municipal Chinese Orchestra, is scheduled. Interested individuals can download the registration form from the official Yangmingshan Flower Festival website to sign up.

 

Traffic control on Yangde Boulevard is in effect from now until March 9. Extended controls are in place on weekends and national holidays lasting two or more consecutive days. Uphill traffic is restricted from 6:00–16:00, while downhill traffic is restricted from 14:00–18:00. Controlled areas: uphill entry points are at Fuxing Bridge and the alley at Section 2, Zhishan Road, No. 1 Lane; downhill exit points are at the intersection of Yangming Road and Zhongheng Street. For those traveling uphill to view the flowers, it is recommended to use public transportation, including taking the Tamsui Line of the MRT to Jiantan Station and transferring to Red 5, or to Xinzhuang Station and transferring to bus 230 to the final stop. Other bus options include bus 260, holiday leisure bus 109, 111, and the Flower Festival shuttle bus.

 

 

●  Extended Reading:

Railway cherry blossom tour fun: TRA’s cruise-style train to Alishan in March

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