Lotus Floating on the Water Like a Giant Water Lily Leaf—The Taoyuan Lotus Season Fun Guide

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Summer vacation is just around the corner, which also means the 2018 Taoyuan Guanyin Lotus Season is coming again. Taoyuan Guanyin isn't just great for leisurely strolls—it’s also home to many hidden gems. We've specially put together a guide covering attractions × activities × food for the 2018 Taoyuan Guanyin Lotus Season, taking you on a fresh journey around the lotus events. From fun rides floating on giant water lily leaves to deep explorations of thousand-year-old algal reefs, there's something for everyone. Bring your family along for a unique summer trip the whole clan will love.

Event period: June 30 – August 12, 2018
Official website: 2018 Taoyuan Lotus Season

In addition to taking public transport or transferring from the high-speed rail via free shuttle buses, you can check the Taoyuan Lotus Season official site for detailed transportation options. Or, you can join a one-day tour that departs directly from a Taipei MRT station—no need to worry about arranging transit and you’ll get to fully explore the Taoyuan Lotus Season.

▲ Taoyuan Lotus Season. (Photo / Taoyuan Guanyin Huaxian Lotus Garden)

The Monet Garden was handcrafted by the owners themselves. In spring, you can admire 250 plant varieties, all vibrant and changing with the seasons—a breathtaking sight. Stand on the little bridge in the garden to view the lotuses or take photos with the colorful blooms, feeling as if you’ve stepped into a real Monet painting. With the right filter, your photos will look dreamy. This super photogenic spot in the Taoyuan Lotus Season is perfect for photo-loving hipsters who enjoy snapping and sharing.

Posted by Tripbaa Fun Bar!, Asia Travel Experts (@tripbaa) at PDT, June 24, 2017, 6:03 AM Posted

Worried about where to take the kids during summer break? Why not follow the Taoyuan Guanyin Lotus Season into the lotus gardens, enjoy special meals made with lotus seeds, and admire the pure and unstained blossoms emerging from the mud. It’s a treat for both the eyes and the soul. If just viewing them isn’t enough, climb onto the giant leaves of the Victoria water lily and experience the thrill of "walking on water" like a martial arts master.

Of course, when enjoying the lotuses and leaves, how could you miss out on a lotus-themed meal? We’ve selected a 45-year-old renowned restaurant serving a set menu of lotus-flavored dishes, ensuring you have both fun and flavor on this trip—definitely worth every penny. End your journey at the Robot Dream Factory, where kids’ eyes will light up. They can play here for hours, while adults won’t be bored either, with plenty of interactive experiences to enjoy with the kids and strengthen family bonds.

The Lin Family Ancestral House is a century-old traditional building with a single main hall and four wing rooms. Its weathered brick walls, red archways, and swaying straw dolls amid green rice fields make you feel like you've traveled back to the simple rural society of the early Republican era. During the annual lotus season in July and August, the vast lotus blooms in front of the house blend seamlessly with the historic architecture.

Beyond admiring lotuses, this year’s Taoyuan Lotus Season also incorporates sunflower viewing spots. The Yangguang Farm spans 18,000 square meters, making it the largest sunflower-themed farm in northern Taiwan. It’s not only incredibly photogenic but also offers special lotus meals and ice cream made from sunflower seeds—refreshing just to look at in the summer heat.

Moreover, the owner insists on no entrance fee and no minimum spending, hoping to attract more visitors to the farm to experience the positive energy of sunflowers. Aside from picking flowers yourself, there are plenty of kid-friendly activities such as sand and water play, cute animals, mini trains, plus options for barbecues and camping.

Posted by Taoyuan Guanyin Huaxian Lotus Garden (@taoyuanlotus) at PDT, June 2, 2018, 9:22 PM Posted

When visiting the Taoyuan Lotus Season, especially the Lotus Pond Leisure Farm, you’ll find its expansive 2-hectare grounds like a maze-like garden. It boasts rich ecology, and during the lotus season, the blooming flowers beautifully decorate the ponds. Don’t miss the rare chance to ride a giant Victoria water lily leaf and experience the whimsical joy of “water walking.”

▲ Taoyuan Lotus Season – Algal Reef. (Photo / Tripbaa Fun Bar!, Asia Travel Experts)

▲ Taoyuan Lotus Season – Lotus Seed Ice. (Photo / Tripbaa Fun Bar!, Asia Travel Experts)

Looking for a cool escape in the scorching summer? Consider exploring the largest algal reef conservation area in Taiwan at the Taoyuan Lotus Season. These reefs are extremely rare, growing only 1 cm every ten years, and are living fossils with a history of thousands of years. Also, don’t forget to try the lotus seed specialties and ice treats from Taoyuan Shuilai Qing She. They’ll satisfy your soul and cool you down. Savor the hidden à la carte dishes of Taoyuan Guanyin and discover the simplest forms of happiness.

The Taoyuan Lotus Season isn’t just about outdoor fun with lotuses and sunflowers. To ensure family fun, it has also partnered with the Robot Dream Factory to offer educational tours and experiences. Kids will be thrilled and can play here for hours, while adults can enjoy deeper interactive activities with their children to strengthen family ties.

In addition to fun attractions, the 2018 Taoyuan Lotus Season also features lively performance events to amp up the atmosphere. Last year featured the Grand Mansion Puppet Show, and this year combines Hakka music. With a double-diva showdown featuring Tian Fu Zhen and Zhu Li Jing, plus an all-star Golden Melody lineup, the “Hakka Music Magic Party” on July 21 promises to bring the 2018 Taoyuan Lotus Season to a thrilling climax.

Recommended reading: New Kid-Friendly Outing Spot: 5 Dreamy Camping Sites in Yilan

▲ Taoyuan Lotus Season – Perfume Lotus Coffee. (Photo / Taoyuan Guanyin Huaxian Lotus Garden)

Modern people love coffee and practically check in at cafes every day. Some seek coffee made from premium beans, while others prefer uniquely flavored brews. For this year's Taoyuan Lotus Festival, the Lianhe Farm Leisure Farm has specially unveiled its signature coffee—Fragrant Lotus Coffee. This is a hanging ear coffee made by roasting and grinding fragrant lotus petals into powder, then blending them in a balanced ratio with high-quality estate beans. It delivers a delicate, distinctive fragrance of fragrant lotus, whether served hot or iced, and is wonderfully aromatic and delicious!

Aside from drinks, the Sunflower Farm, set amid beautiful flower fields, has also introduced its special product "Lotus Seed Soy Milk Pudding" exclusively for the 2018 Taoyuan Lotus Festival. Not only is it incredibly smooth and silky in texture, but it’s also a lovely little treat perfect for souvenirs.

For the 2018 Taoyuan Lotus Festival, twelve new dishes, six beverages, and souvenir items were specially developed in collaboration with a culinary school. The most unique item is a green gua bao made with lotus leaf powder, paired with colorful lotus stamens. The overall presentation is refreshing and healthful, making it ideal for the hot summer days.

For desserts, they’ve incorporated Guanyin’s specialty—roselle—as the filling, along with dried lotus and white wine for seasoning. Not only is it beautifully presented, but it also tastes refreshingly delightful. It’s a truly unique treat exclusive to the Taoyuan Lotus Festival.

Of course, beyond these innovative lotus-inspired creations, there are many refined local delicacies in Taoyuan. One that this editor particularly recommends is the à la carte cuisine at Shuilai QingShe. In addition to incorporating lotus-inspired elements, the vegetarian dishes are thoughtfully prepared, and you can enjoy them in an old-fashioned Anhui-style traditional house—definitely one of the must-try dishes of the Taoyuan Lotus Festival.

[Tripbaa Fun Travel Tips | Asia Free Travel Experts]Authorized Repost | Original Source: [2018 Taoyuan Lotus Festival Recommendations: Floating on Water Hyacinth Lotus Pads, Taoyuan Guanyin Fun & Food Cheat Sheet]