Free ginger tea and heat packs offered: City mobile tourism vehicles accompany public to Yangmingshan to chase snow

▲ Yangmingshan. (Photo / Eastern TV News)

Reporter Chen Rui-zhong / Comprehensive report

According to forecasts from the Central Weather Bureau, temperatures in Taipei this weekend (the 23rd and 24th) will drop below 10°C, with perceived temperatures as low as 4°C, and a high probability of snowfall on Yangmingshan. To accommodate the needs of visitors during the cold season, the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism has deployed two mobile tourism service vehicles. In addition to providing real-time travel information and consultation services, these vehicles will also offer free limited-edition ginger tea and heat packs, helping tourists stay warm while enjoying the snowy scenery.

Wang Shijia, head of the Urban Tourism Division at the Department of Information and Tourism, said:The mobile tourism service vehicles will appear at the Yangmingshan Flower Clock parking lot at 9 a.m. on the 23rd and 24th. Visitors with any tourism-related questions can not only consult the tourism service staff in the vehicles but also enjoy free hot ginger tea. Additionally, those who show a screenshot of being added as a friend on the Taipei City Government’s LINE account will receive one free heat pack,with a daily limit of 1,000 per location, available until supplies run out.

The Department of Information and Tourism stated that based on past records of snowfall on Yangmingshan, as long as there is a strong cold front and sufficient moisture, areas such as Datun Mountain, Lengshuikeng, and Zhuzihu all have chances of seeing pristine white snow. The department reminds visitors that aside from snow viewing, they can also visit Lengshuikeng, the former Zhongzheng Park (now known as Yangmingshan Front Mountain Park), or Sulfur Valley for hot springs or foot baths. For those interested in trying hot spring-grown vegetables, they can head to the Calla Lily Avenue in the Dinghu and Xiahhu areas of Zhuzihu to enjoy uniquely styled mountain delicacies. If time permits, visitors can also stop by the Yangmingshan Flower Experimentation Center on their way down the mountain and visit Yani Dream Village in the former U.S. military dependents' housing area for some romantic desserts.

To accommodate the expected influx of visitors heading up the mountain to see the snow, four bus routes operated by Taipei City—routes 260, Red 5, 108, and Small 15—will increase their frequency flexibly within operating hours on the 23rd and 24th according to actual travel demand. The Department of Information and Tourism reminds the public to use public transportation as much as possible when traveling up the mountain.

In addition, the Department of Information and Tourism recommends visiting Beitou for a hot spring experience and taking a side trip to Beitou Fuxing Third Road to pick桶柑 (mandarin oranges). The Beitou mandarin orchards are located near Shangqing Temple, the Wu Family Ancestral Hall, and Qingtian Temple, where visitors can enjoy the fun of picking oranges by hand and eating them fresh, bringing good fortune in the new year. After picking the mandarins, visitors can take bus Small 6 and get off at Zhonghe Street to visit the foot soaking pool at Fuxing Park. The foot soaking pool features clear, slightly greenish spring water unique to Beitou, with temperatures around 40–43°C—perfect for relaxing. Meanwhile, the street food at Beitou Market is famous throughout the region, with popular stalls often drawing long lines on weekends. Coupled with nearby attractions such as Meiting and the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, the area is filled with a strong Japanese vibe.