The Nantou Flower Festival officially kicks off with snow-white plum blossoms leading the way

This year’s main venues are located in two areas: Chidian Farm next to Puitai High School in Puli, and the Puli Flower Logistics Center. The former features a strip-style vibrant sea of flowers, using colorful green sculptures and vivid floral arrangements to create creative exhibition areas and themed plazas. Nearby operators, such as Taiyi Eco-Leisure Farm, have also contributed resources to enrich the floral landscape and establish a cherry blossom forest. The Flower Logistics Center exhibition area uses colorful cosmos and sunflowers to create a “Happy Flower Sea” zone. The organizers will also hold cherry blossom picnic events for the first time on January 18 at the main venues and at Shima Park in Lugu, inviting the public to enjoy delicious local food under the cherry blossoms. Each picnic set, priced at NT$399 per group, includes a picnic mat and an exclusive picnic box prepared by the renowned chef at Puli’s well-known restaurant Jin Du, using fresh local specialties such as white bamboo shoots, passion fruit, and plums. Advance online registration is required, and detailed registration information can be found on the official website.

 

For those wanting to view the expansive flower fields at the main venue, Chidian Farm, from a different perspective, or to overlook the town of Puli, hot air balloon flight experiences will be available on Saturdays and Sundays. Simply donate accumulated receipts totaling NT$2,000 during the event period to exchange for one ride voucher.

Starting now, a series of distinctive flowers across Nantou will bloom in succession. One lesser-known plum blossom spot in Ren'ai Township is located around Huzhu Elementary School, 3.5 km along Route 80, where nearly 50 hectares of plum trees are about 80% in bloom. This has become another highlight of the Nantou Flower Carnival opening and is a worthwhile new destination for those looking to avoid crowds. In addition, various townships are holding related events in sync with the flower season to create a “Flower Carnival” where blossoms can be enjoyed all over Nantou. Highlights include the New Year’s Eve party in Qingjing, Ren'ai Township — the highest-altitude location in Nantou — the thousand-person “q” kiln event in Caotun Township, the popular Liujia Plum Garden couple-carrying and barrel-rolling competitions in Xinyi Township, the cherry blossom and winter bamboo shoot season at Shima Park in Lugu Township, the orchid art exhibition at Wenchang Temple in Yuchi Township, the peony exhibition at Shanlinxi, and the cherry blossom festival at Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, among others — each offering unique and exciting attractions.

 

This year, the organizers have also prepared over 400 prizes, including a two-person trip to view flowers in Hokkaido, various 3C products, and accommodation vouchers, to give back to travelers visiting Nantou. Those staying at Nantou’s partner hotels and homestays during the event period can join the lucky draw. Photography enthusiasts hoping to capture Facebook-famous beauties amidst Nantou’s floral landscapes can participate in the Flower Goddess photo shoot tour, enjoying multiple experiences in one trip. Additionally, those who upload and share real-time flower conditions from various locations in Nantou to the Love Travel Nantou fan page may have a chance to win a NT$500 information bonus.

 

 

●   Further Reading:

Four Great New Year Travel Ideas for Exploring Taiwan During the Holiday Season