(Image above from Taoyuan Lotus Season Facebook)
Written by \ Emilio Zhuang
Every summer vacation marks the lotus viewing season. As the weather changes, the flowering period varies from north to south. With their pristine beauty rising unstained from the mud and elegant, upright leaves, lotuses attract many families eager to capture their graceful presence. There are numerous varieties of lotus flowers, including white, pink, red, yellow blooms, as well as water lilies and golden-hued golden lotuses, leaving many lingering by the pond in awe. The lotus blooming season usually lasts one to two months. Coming to view the lotuses and enjoy a meal of lotus seeds makes for a great family outing. Now let’s take a look at some of the best lotus viewing spots around Taiwan.
Starting in June, Shuangxi enters its peak lotus blooming season. Many families take this opportunity to visit—both to escape the heat and to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Within Shuangxi town, there are also numerous cafes run by amateur artists and historic blacksmith shops that are must-visit attractions. In the past, traveling here from Taipei, Yilan, or Keelung would take over an hour, but since the opening of the Jifu Highway last year, travel time has been significantly reduced. More people now drive or take the train to reach the area. The pace of life here is relaxed, offering a taste of “slow living.” In Shuangxi, you don’t have to jostle with crowds, and you can even rent electric bikes or pedal carts at the visitor center to explore the area. Cycling through the quaint town and admiring the flowers along the way is a highly recommended family activity.
Transportation: Take a train from Taipei for approximately 50–70 minutes and get off at Shuangxi Station.
![[Family Travel]Let’s Pick Lotus Together: Top 5 Lotus Viewing Spots in Taiwan](/travel/pic/20180526/55aac73437eba8040998fe24a21ddef8.jpg)
Image from New Taipei City Government Tourism Bureau website
During the summer vacation, the lotuses in Guanyin District, Taoyuan, are always in full, breathtaking bloom. Endless lotus fields are dotted with blossoms—some in bud, others in stunning full bloom. Children can wander through them, experiencing the fun of picking lotus pods and shelling lotus seeds, making for a delightful and relaxing summer day. Besides admiring the lotuses, the district is also home to many lotus farms. Among them is the Lin Family Ancestral House, which preserves a century-old cultural heritage and stands as one of the few well-preserved traditional Minnan buildings in Taiwan. While enjoying the lotuses, why not take your whole family on a historical tour of these charming lotus farms?
Location: Intersection of Jinhua Road and Xinhua Road, Guanyin District, Taoyuan City
Image from Taoyuan Lotus Season Facebook
The urban design of Zhongxing New Village in Nantou is modeled after London’s new towns and has become a leisure and children's play destination in central Taiwan. The lotus viewing area in Zhongxing New Village is located beside two rows of coconut trees. Many people park their cars and first choose to take photos here. The entire lotus pond extends all the way to the intersection.
Location: The lotus fields are situated on both sides of Shengfu Road, Zhongxing New Village, Nantou City
Image from Nantou County Government Tourism Bureau website
Every July and August, the Lotus Season in Baihe, Tainan, has always been one of the main lotus viewing destinations in Taiwan.
Summer sunlight dances across the competing petals of the lotuses, shimmering along with the swaying waves of lotus leaves, filling the lotus town with an enchanting atmosphere. The unstained blossoms rise from the mud, their green leaves and sparkling droplets calling out to you under the sun. There's much joy in lotus viewing—apart from photographing and admiring the lotuses and enjoying a meal of lotus seeds, you can also bike and cruise along, taking part in diverse lotus-themed activities that make for a carefree summer. In the Lotus Park, there are even giant Victoria water lilies where kids can sit and experience the fun of floating on the leaves.
Transportation: Get off at Chiayi HSR Station, transfer to a shuttle bus to Chiayi Railway Station (about 30 minutes by car), then take a Chiayi Bus to Baihe.
Image from Baihe Lotus Season Facebook
Image from Baihe Lotus Season Facebook
Matianyan Wetland is also famed for its summer lotus fields, with the viewing season extending up to October, earning it a reputation alongside the western Baihe lotus fields as a beautiful lotus haven in eastern Taiwan. The best way to deeply explore Matianyan Wetland is by slowly cycling through it. The wetland features well-planned biking routes. With wide-open spaces and few vehicles, pedaling around this ecological wetland is incredibly relaxing.
Matianyan Wetland Ecological Park: No. 15, Lane 42, Daquan Street, Daquan Village, Guangfu Township, Hualien County (No admission fee)
Image from Hualien County Tourism Bureau website
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