Hidden Cherry Blossom Spots in New Taipei City – Admire Stunning Matsuyama & Yoshino Cherry Blossoms Without Going to Japan

Text & Photos /Little White Whale

In Taiwan, the cherry blossom varieties we commonly admire include Kanhi-zakura (early flowering cherry), Beni-shidare-zakura (pink mountain cherry), Yae-zakura (double-flowered cherry), and Yoshino cherry. We may also come across Showa-zakura, Kawazu-zakura, Formosa cherry, Wushan cherry, Daisen-zakura, Sumizome-zakura, and Tōhoku-zakura, among others. However, have you ever heard of Matsuyama cherry? Matsuyama cherry, a famous variety from Tokyo’s Arakawa Embankment, has an umbrella-shaped canopy and blooms around April. Now, there’s no need to take a flight to Tokyo — just cometo Donghu Cherry Blossom Groveto admire the blooming Yoshino and double-petal Matsuyama cherry blossoms up close.

Through news reports and social media shares, many people know to flock to Donghu Lohas Park in February to admire the Kanhi-zakura. But they might not realize that from March to April, various other cherry blossom varieties can still be enjoyed along the banks of Donghu Neigou Stream.

Over the years, residents in the communities along both sides of Neigou Stream (Donghu Lekang Li, Neigou Li, and Zhongshan Li in Xizhi) have continuously planted cherry trees. Although I can identify several types of cherry blossoms, the Donghu Cherry Blossom Grove grows many varieties I’ve never seen before.

Every year in April, Matsuyama cherry always arrives right on time, and its lovely presence can easily be found right next to the stone monument in Zhongshan Li, Xizhi.

Most first-time viewers of Matsuyama cherry are pleasantly surprised — they exclaim from afar, “Wow~ so big and beautiful!” Then, while taking photos with their phones or cameras, they’ll inevitably say something like, “Why does it look like toilet paper?”

Matsuyama cherry blossoms are about the size of a 50 NT coin, with 20–30 petals, making it a large double-flowered variety that blooms fully in mid-to-late April. The buds are deep red, but as the flowers fully open, the petals gradually fade from pink to pure white.

The characteristics of Matsuyama cherry are quite unique: it has long flower stems, blooms simultaneously with leaves, and sometimes the two female stamens in the center of the flower turn into green, leaf-like structures. Matsuyama cherry thrives in cool mountainous regions such as Jianshi in Hsinchu, Qingjing, and Lishan. Due to its susceptibility to broken branches and pests/diseases, it is rare in lowland areas.

After fully enjoying the Matsuyama cherry, don’t rush to leave. Just head left and you’ll find the blooming Yoshino cherry. Dozens of Yoshino cherry trees are magnificently in full bloom around the perimeter of Dalonggang Driving School — arguably the most beautiful driving school in all of Taiwan.

I used to only admire the Yoshino cherry blossoms at Dalonggang Driving School through online articles. On April 9, 2016, I finally saw them with my own eyes — YA！Thanks to the information signs from Zhongshan Li Office and the Neigou Stream Greening Association, I learned that there are mainly two varieties of Yoshino cherry in Taiwan.

One was introduced to Taiwan by the Japanese during the Japanese colonial period and planted in Alishan — the Somei-yoshino cherry.

The other can be foundat Tamsui Tianyuan Templeand on Yangmingshan, where the trees are upright and bloom around late March to early April.

To distinguish them from the Alishan Somei-yoshino, some call the northern variety “Tianyuan Temple Yoshino cherry.” Features of Tianyuan Temple Yoshino cherry: the calyx and stems lack the fine hairiness of Somei-yoshino, the flowers are larger, and the petals are more pinkish. Tianyuan Temple Yoshino cherry is better suited for planting in hot lowland areas than Somei-yoshino, and its leaves emerge only towards the end of the blooming period.

Although the Yoshino cherry here in Neigou Stream isn’t as tall, lush, or grand as those at Tianyuan Temple in Tamsui, and lacks the iconic photo op with Tianyuan Temple’s main altar, the Neigou Stream Yoshino cherry is much more accessible — you can easily snap joyful, photogenic pictures without having to stretch your arms too high.

After enjoying the cherry blossoms along Neigou Stream in April, you can swing byBaishihu Suspension Bridgeto continue admiring fringe tree, chinaberry, and iris blooms.

Finally, head toBihu Parkto enjoy the fringe trees by the lake. With this, your spring flower-viewing mini-trip will have a perfect ending.

How to Get to Matsuyama & Yoshino Cherry Blossoms in Zhongshan Li, Xizhi?
Walk to the end of the right-side wall of Donghu Junior High School (Lane 125, Kang Le St., Neihu District, Taipei City) → head toward Xizhi Zhongyi St., and you’ll find the stone monument.
MRT: Take the Wenhu Line to Donghu Station → walk along Donghu Rd. → turn onto Kang Le St. (approximately 15–20 minute walk, bus transfer recommended.)
Bus: 53, 281, 287, 630, 646, 903, Mini-1, Mini-1 District, Brown 19, Blue 5, get off at Donghu Junior High School Station.

A little white whale who loves sharing, photography, and travel
Happy to learn photography, allowing me to see the world from different perspectives; happy to taste delicious food, letting me enjoy the world through simple happiness.