Don’t miss this year’s cherry blossom season – Top 10 cherry blossom spots across Taiwan

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Every year when cherry blossom season arrives, the entire island of Taiwan is blanketed in pink blooms, creating a romantic atmosphere. Some cherry blossom sights can even rival those in Japan, so visitors might want to jot down the following recommended spots.

1. Taipei – Yangmingshan
Yangmingshan is a well-known area for cherry blossom viewing in northern Taiwan, including Pingjing Street, Dongfang Temple, Neicuo Creek Cherry Blossom Corridor, Qianshan Park, and more.
 
Cherry blossom season: Late January to late February
By car:
1. Qianshan Park – Take the Taipei Interchange from National Freeway No. 1, connect to Chongqing N. Rd. (Provincial Hwy 2B), cross Baoling Bridge, then connect to Zhongzheng Rd., turn onto Fulin Rd., and then onto Yangde Blvd. (Provincial Hwy 2A) to reach the destination.
2. Yangmingshan Park – Accessible via Provincial Hwy 2A to Hushan Rd. Section 1.
3. Datun Waterfall Area – Reachable via Hushan Rd. Section 1 to Hushan Rd. Section 2.
4. Zhongxing Rd. – Connects to Hushan Rd. Section 1 next to Yangmingshan Park.
5. Visitor Center, Yangmingshan China Lily Hotel – Located on Provincial Hwy 2A.
6. Jingshan Rd. Lane 101 – Take Provincial Hwy 2A to Xinyuan St., then turn onto Jingshan Rd. Lane 101.
7. Sulfur Valley – From Hushan Rd. Section 1, turn onto Hudi Rd., then connect to Quanyuan Rd. to reach the area.
8. Marrison Plateau – From Quanyuan Rd., turn onto Xingyi Rd. to reach the spot.
 
Public transport:
1. Qianshan Park, Yangmingshan Park, China Lily Hotel Yangmingshan – You can take Bus 260 from Taipei Railway Station, or take Red 5 Bus from Taipei Metro Jiantan Station. Get off at China Lily Hotel Yangmingshan Station for the hotel, at Teachers’ Center Station for Qianshan Park, and at Yangmingshan Station for Yangmingshan Park.
2. Datun Waterfall Area, Sulfur Valley – Take Bus 9 from Taipei Metro Beitou Station. Get off at the back gate of Yangmingshan Park for Datun Waterfall Area, and at Mituo Temple Station for Sulfur Valley.
3. Marrison Plateau – From Taipei Metro Shibaizhai Station, take Bus 508, 535, or Mini Bus 8, and get off at Xingyi Rd. Stop 2.

2. New Taipei – Sanzhi Cherry Blossom Season
Sanzhi has been planting cherry trees along roadsides since 1996, with varieties including mountain cherry, Yoshino cherry, and double-flowered cherry. There are now as many as 17,000 trees, covering nearly 70 kilometers. The best spots for cherry blossom viewing are Qingshan Rd. and Dahu Rd.
 
Cherry blossom distribution: Dahu Rd. (County Hwy 7), Zhilan Rd. (County Hwy 7-1), Qingshan Rd., Pingshan Rd. (County Hwy 15), Longshan Rd. (County Hwy 18), Sunshine Rd., Yulin Rd., Fuhu Rd., Xidi Rd., Fenglin Rd. (County Hwy 10), Xinxing Rd. (County Hwy 8), Xinlin Rd. (County Hwy 6), Weinei Rd. (Bantianliao), and others.
Cherry blossom season: February to mid-March

3. Taoyuan – Lala Mountain En’ai Farm
Taoyuan’s Lala Mountain Farm offers beautiful scenery and floral landscapes all year round. During cherry blossom season, the entire farm is covered in a pink sea of blossoms, making it a must-visit spot for tourists.
 
Address: No. 143, Shangbalin Central Rd., Hualin Village, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City
Business hours: 09:00–21:00
By car:
1. Take the Daxi Interchange on National Freeway No. 2 → connect to Provincial Highway No. 7 (Northern Cross-Island Highway), cross Baling Bridge → head towards Lala Mountain → ascend to Baling.
2. From Taipei, take Provincial Highway No. 3 via Sanxia to Sanmin → connect to Provincial Highway No. 7 (Northern Cross-Island Highway) → cross Baling Bridge → head towards Lala Mountain → ascend to Baling.
3. Take Provincial Highway No. 4 in Taoyuan → Daxi → connect to Provincial Highway No. 7 (Northern Cross-Island Highway) → cross Baling Bridge → head towards Lala Mountain → ascend to Baling.
4. From Yilan, take Provincial Highway No. 7 towards Datong → Nioudou → at Baiteo Bridge, head towards Mingchi → cross Dahan Bridge → head towards Lala Mountain → ascend to Baling.
 
Public transport:
1. Zhongli Bus – 06:00 (departing from Taoyuan, opposite Ta Yi Electronics) 11:40 (departing from Zhongli, opposite Lai Lai Department Store, via Taoyuan)
2. Taoyuan Bus – 08:00 (departing from Taoyuan, Houbu Train Station) 10:00 (departing from Zhongli, Houbu Train Station)
3. Daxi to Xiabaling – bus departure times: 06:40, 11:10, 13:10, 15:00, 17:00
4. Xiabaling to Daxi – bus departure times: 06:20, 07:20, 09:30, 13:30, 16:30
5. Xiabaling to Daxi – bus departure times: 06:20, 07:20, 09:30, 13:30, 16:30

4. Hsinchu – Wanli Mountain Garden
Wanli Mountain Garden is a beautiful hidden gem in Hsinchu. During cherry blossom season, the mountains appear to be dyed pink, creating a stunningly beautiful sight.
 
Location: No. 30, Lane 8, Meyi, Yufeng Village, Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County
Cherry blossom viewing season: Late February to early March
Opening hours: Appointment-based entry during cherry blossom season; priority given to those with reservations. Ticket: NT$150 (not deductible against consumption)
By car:
1. Heading north: Exit at Zhulin Interchange → Neiwan → Ziran Valley → Yu’lao Police Station → Lidongshan → go all the way at the 6.2 km fork.
2. Heading south: Exit at Guansi Interchange → Neiwan → Ziran Valley → Yu’lao Police Station → Lidongshan → go all the way at the 6.2 km fork.