Pink cherry blossoms are in full bloom: A lazy guide to Taiwan’s 2016 cherry blossom season

By MOOK Scenic Spots Home Travel & Lifestyle Network Editorial Team

As spring draws nearer, so does the longing to admire cherry blossoms. Taiwanese people love cherry blossom viewing, especially since spring is peak tourist season in Japan, with many flocking there to witness the beauty of the blossoms. But if you can’t make it to Japan, don’t worry—Taiwan also boasts many stunning cherry blossom spots. Why not take a weekend trip to enjoy these beautiful blooms?

●2016New Taipei City Cherry Blossom Season

Locations: 29 districts in New Taipei City including Wulai, Xindian, Shiding, Pinglin, Tamsui, and Xizhi

Dates: January 31 – mid-March

All 29 districts in New Taipei City have cherry blossoms, but the most densely blooming areas are Sanchi, Wulai, and Sanxia. More remote areas like Tamsui, Xizhi, Pinglin, Shiding, Ruifang, and Shuangxi also offer plenty. Urban areas such as Sanchong’s Zhongzheng Road, several parks in Xinzhuang, Zhonghe’s Honglutian, Banqiao’s Xinzhuang Special Zone, and Xindian’s Sunshine Sports Park also showcase “just-bloomed” cherry reds.

●2016Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Cherry Blossom Festival

Location: Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village

Dates: January 30 to March 5

In late January, the weeping cherries in Europe Garden will be the first to bloom. In February, the village’s 5,000 “Formosan Hundredfold Cherries” begin their sequential blossoming. These double-flowered pink cherries, developed by grafting Taiwan mountain cherries (beni-shidare-zakura) onto yaezakura, became a signature highlight of the festival. They were named “Formosan Hundredfold Cherries” by the village’s founder, Chang Jung-yi. Meanwhile, several Yoshino cherry trees planted by the Bunun tribe have been particularly beautiful in recent years. By late February, when other blossoms have faded, the Fuji cherries along the Cherry Blossom Avenue begin to flower. Their pale pink petals bloom about half a month later than the earlier varieties, which is why you can still enjoy cherry blossoms at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village Cherry Blossom Festival well into March.