By MOOK Travel & Living / Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
The 2014 Yangmingshan Flower Festival runs from now until March 9. Various themed attractions across Yangmingshan Park, including the Flower Clock, fountains, cherry blossom groves, the Visitor Center, and the statue of Wang Yangming, are adorned with a stunning array of blooming flowers, creating a captivating scene. The park is home to nearly 3,200 cherry blossom trees of various types, including double-flowered cherry, mountain cherry, Showa cherry, and Yoshino cherry, which bloom in succession like a relay race.
The grand finale of the Yangmingshan Flower Festival—Yoshino cherry blossoms and daffodils—are about to enter their peak blooming period. (Photo source / from the Yangmingshan Flower Festival Facebook page)
Each year, the two major highlights of the Yangmingshan Flower Festival that draw the most attention are the “Yoshino Cherry Blossom Explosion” in front of the Visitor Center and the simultaneous blooming of over 8,000 daffodils by the lakeside pond at Hushan Green Space, forming a fragrant “white daffodil field.” Current observations suggest that the blossoms are around 50–60% open, with the peak blooming period expected to occur between February 22 and February 28. The main areas where Yoshino cherry blossoms can be found in Yangmingshan Park are in front of the Visitor Center, the lawn area opposite the fountain, and along the walking path from Section 1 of Hushan Road leading to the park. The “white daffodil field” at Hushan Green Space is located along the pedestrian-only route from the Yangmingshan Bus Terminal to the park (Section 1 of Hushan Road).
The Park Administration Office announced that on February 28, Zhongshan Building will offer free admission. From 9:00–10:00, there will be a guided park tour with a limited quota of 300 participants. From 10:00–12:00, at the Cultural Hall of Zhongshan Building, a “Flower Clock Melody Concert” featuring a performance by the Taipei Municipal Chinese Classical Orchestra is scheduled. Interested individuals can download the registration form from the official Yangmingshan Flower Festival website to sign up.
Traffic control on Yangde Boulevard will be in effect from now until March 9. Extended controls will be implemented on weekends and national holidays lasting two or more consecutive days. Uphill traffic is restricted from 6:00–16:00, while downhill traffic is restricted from 14:00–18:00. Controlled areas: uphill entry points are at the Fuxing Bridge and the intersection at Section 2, Zhishan Road, Lane 1; downhill exit points are at the intersection of Yangming Road and Zhongheng Street. For those traveling uphill to view the flowers, it is recommended to use public transportation, including taking the Tamsui Line of the MRT to Jiantan Station and transferring to Red 5, or to Xinzhuangpu Station and transferring to bus 230 to the final stop. Other bus options include bus 260, holiday leisure buses 109 and 111, and flower festival shuttle buses.
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