The Wuling Farm cherry blossom season officially kicks off on February 6!

▲ The Wuling Farm cherry blossom season is about to begin. (Photo provided by Wuling Farm, same below)

Reported by Lai Wen-xuan / Taipei

The highly anticipated Wuling Farm cherry blossom season will officially begin on Saturday, February 6, and run until Monday, February 22, spanning a total of 17 days, including the 9-day Lunar New Year holiday. As in previous years, the Directorate General of Highways has collaborated with relevant agencies to implement four major traffic management measures: "on-site crowd control, road traffic regulation, group tour reservations, and public transport shuttle services."

▲ The Directorate General of Highways introduces four key traffic measures for cherry blossom viewing at Wuling.

The Directorate General of Highways stated that to ensure visitors can enjoy a safe, comfortable driving environment and a high-quality cherry blossom experience, they have once again partnered with the Veterans Affairs Council’s Forest Conservation Bureau, Wuling Farm, Taichung City Government, Yilan County Government, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Sanxia National Scenic Area Administration, and Shei-Pa National Park to jointly plan traffic management strategies for the Wuling cherry blossom season.

▲ Both inside and outside Wuling Farm are under traffic control.

I. On-Site Crowd Control
During the cherry blossom season, Wuling Farm will limit daily visitor numbers to 6,000, including 1,800 staying guests and 4,200 day-trippers. The day-trippers are further divided into 1,000 group ticket holders and 3,200 individual passengers using public transport. Overnight guests must present a vehicle pass issued by Wuling Farm to enter. Group visitors must book via the reservation platform set up by Yilan County Government and exchange their passes during their designated time slots. Individual passengers using public transport can purchase tickets through buses operated by Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport and Fengyuan Bus to gain entry.

▲ Roadside traffic requires a valid pass to enter.

II. Road Traffic Control
1. During the cherry blossom season, traffic controls will be enforced on roads around Wuling Farm.
Informational signs will be set up at key points to remind visitors that “those without a pass are not allowed to enter Wuling Farm” and that “pre-booked tour buses should proceed to the Jiuliao Visitor Service Center in Datong Township to exchange for entry permits.” Pre-booked group tours must gather at designated areas for document checks and permit exchanges before being allowed entry. Inspection points will also be established, with round-the-clock traffic control implemented by Wuling Farm and the Taichung City Police Department. Vehicles without a valid pass will be prohibited from entering.

III. Group Tour Reservation Entry
To accommodate domestic travel demand, the cherry blossom season will allow 20 Class A (large) tour buses and 10 Class B (medium) tour buses per day, with prior registration required through the reservation platform set up by Yilan County Government. The reservation platform opens at midnight on Monday, January 11, 2016, and those who complete registration must transfer the ticket fees and other payments to the designated Wuling Farm account within five days. Those who fail to pay will have their reservations canceled, while successful payers will receive a reservation number.

IV. Public Transport Shuttle Services
In line with Wuling Farm’s control plan and to encourage the use of public transport, six shuttle bus routes have been arranged: 【Taipei Main Station – Wuling Farm】, 【Taipei City Hall Bus Station – Wuling Farm】, 【Yilan Bus Station – Wuling Farm】, 【Sanxing Township Sports Complex – Wuling Farm】, 【Datong Township Jiuliao Visitor Service Center – Wuling Farm】, and 【Lishan – Wuling Farm】. For routes from Taipei and Yilan to Wuling Farm, a daily quota of 1,000 tickets will be available via advance sales at Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport ticket offices (nationwide network) and convenience stores (7-11, FamilyMart, Hi-Life). Advance ticket sales start on January 19, 2016.

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