From the start of the plum blossom season to Meiling, you can admire the blossoms, enjoy plum-based treats, and even play games.

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

As cold fronts arrive one after another, the plum blossoms—flowers that bloom even colder—have begun their peak season. Chen Jufeng, vice-chairman of the Nansi Leisure Agriculture Promotion Association, said that this year’s plum blossoms in Meiling are blooming slightly later than usual and are expected to gradually flourish after January, with the peak period around January 8 to 10. The plum viewing season will continue all the way to the Lunar New Year. To welcome the plum blossom season, the Siraya National Scenic Area Administration and Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau have launched the “Plum Blossoms on Branches: Plum Viewing in Meiling” event this weekend. Visitors to Meiling can enjoy live music performances under the plum trees during specific time slots, as well as participate in fun, free challenge games.

Visitors who come to Meiling with their smartphones during the event period, take a photo with the snow-white plum blossoms, and share it on FACEBOOK via their phone’s internet function, can exchange it for a limited-edition Siraya figurine keychain at the service desk. There is a daily limit of 150 keychains, available until they run out. Even more special, the organizers have invited Yang Yuxiu, chairman of the Tainan Calligraphy Society, to personally teach visitors calligraphy from 14:00 to 16:00 on event days at the Meiling Information Station, allowing everyone to get a head start on the festive New Year atmosphere.

The Siraya “Plum Blossoms on Branches: Plum Viewing in Meiling” event will be held at the Meiling Scenic Area starting at 10:00 AM on December 31 and January 1 of the year 101. On December 31, there will be three challenge stations set up at the Fulaicun Century-old Plum Garden, and on January 1, three challenge stations will also be set up at the entrance parking lot of Meifeng Ancient Trail and along the trail itself. Shops in Meiling also offer various discount deals for plum blossom viewers—please check online for details.

Siraya National Scenic Area: www.siraya-nsa.gov.t