Spring is here—time for a romantic rendezvous with flower seas!

Spring is the season of blooming flowers, with flower appreciation events taking place one after another across the province. From Yangmingshan and Alishan to the colorful flower fields of Huatung Valley and the annual International Orchid Show, the festivities keep coming. And the highly anticipated cherry blossom seasons in Japan and Korea will arrive in late March, while the tulip-filled Keukenhof Flower Exhibition in the Netherlands kicks off on March 24. These vibrant hues from nature paint the land with splendor, filling the surroundings with the vitality of spring. Remember to make a date with the flower seas this spring!

The Yangmingshan Flower Festival runs until March 20. Though it’s nearing its end, the azalea season that follows in late March promises to be just as spectacular. For those eager to see cherry blossoms, it’s advised to make the most of the remaining two weekends and head up the mountain soon. Currently, you can admire mountain cherry blossoms in areas such as the Flower Clock Zone, Chiang Kai-shek Statue Area, Cherry Blossom Grove, and Wang Yangming Statue Area. The plaza in front of the Visitor Center is where Yoshino cherry blossoms are in full bloom, while the Showa cherry blossoms around the fountain area are currently the most visible.

Yangmingshan National Park hosts cultural and artistic activities every weekend at the Flower Clock Plaza. Upcoming events include “Colorful Spring Splendor – Cut Flower Arrangement and Photography Workshop” on March 12, “Nature’s Colorful Moments – Floral Painting Activity” on March 13, and on March 20, “A Gift to the God of Spring – Yangmingshan Clean Water Initiative,” “Floral Messages – Calligraphy Gifts by Masters,” “Taipei Symphony Orchestra – Culture Around the Corner Series Concert,” among others.

The Yangde Boulevard has traffic control on weekends. It is recommended to take leisure buses up the mountain:

108: Yangmingshan Scenic Bus, runs daily.

109: From Wanfang Community and Gongguan to Yangmingshan Second Parking Lot (weekends only).

110: From Donghu to Yangmingshan Second Parking Lot (weekends only).

111: From Xinzhuang to Yangmingshan Second Parking Lot (weekends only).

 

The Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival is set to begin on March 15. The cherry blossoms in Alishan mainly consist of native Taiwan varieties with bright red mountain cherries, as well as delicate and pale pink Japanese cherry varieties. According to the Chiayi Forest District Office, some mountain cherry blossoms have already begun to bloom, and the star of the season—the most numerous variety, the Yoshino cherry—is now showing buds. If the weather remains clear, they are expected to gradually bloom this Saturday and Sunday.

There are two standout cherry blossom viewing routes in Alishan. One route goes from Alishan Hotel through Plum Garden and Alishan Police Station to Zhushan Trailhead. This cherry blossom path is just over 600 meters long, lined with decades-old Yoshino cherry trees. The second route starts from Zhaoping Train Station and passes through Zhaoping Park, Sister Ponds, Shouzhen Temple, Ci Yun Temple, Alpine Museum, Tree Spirit Pagoda, Xianglin Junior High School, Three Generations Tree, Elephant Trunk Tree, and back to Alishan Hotel, spanning approximately 2.6 kilometers.

It’s worth noting that during previous flower seasons, large crowds of visitors and vehicles, coupled with the opening of tourism for mainland Chinese visitors, have made Alishan Forest Recreation Area a must-visit spot, inevitably drawing even more cherry blossom viewers. To accommodate the cherry blossom season, the Alishan Forest Railway will dynamically increase train services to manage passenger flow, and as part of staffing adjustments, the plains line will temporarily suspend operations.

From March 11 to April 1, between 3:30 PM and 4:20 PM on Saturdays and from 3:30 PM to 4:20 PM on Sundays, free shuttle buses are available between kilometers 86 and 95 on Alishan Highway. Visitors can park their cars outside the recreation area and take the shuttle bus to the entrance. Those who use the shuttle bus will also enjoy a 25% discount on admission tickets.