Taiwan Tourism - Flower Blossom in Yangmingshan National Park

In the suburbs of Taipei city, Yangmingshan is one of the most popular destinations in Taiwan not only for tourists but for Taipei residents to go on weekends. It is the third national park of Taiwan and originally the Daiton National Park established under Japanese rule.

The national park covers more than 11,000 hectares, and its highest point, Mt. Qixing, is 1,120 meters above sea level. It is famous for hot springs, volcanic landscape, and sulfur deposit. Because of the sulfur deposits, the Qing government used to set fires on the mountain to stop illegal sulfur mining, and it left the mountain with no trees but grass only. This is also why its former name was Caoshan (Grass Mountain). But the once barren grassy slopes are now covered with flowers in almost every season.

Yangmingshan National Park is not only a place for soaking in hot spring anymore, people now also think of it as a place to appreciate flowers. First of all, the mountain is on the outskirts of the capital city, which makes it very accessible by taking public transportation. Next, there are many hiking routes like Erziping Trail for tourists to enjoy the nature while appreciating flowers. And most important of all, even when one flower season is over, the area is still worth visiting, since different flowers bloom one after another throughout the year: roughly cherry blossoms from January to March, azaleas in March and April, calla lilies from March to May, hydrangeas from May to July, and silvergrass from October to December. Exact dates shift with the weather each year.

Cherry Blossom

In a previous article, we have talked about the different species of cherry blossoms in Taiwan, and which destination is a must-go for cherry blossom season. Yangmingshan National Park is on the list.

Check it out:
Must Go Taiwan Attractions For Viewing Cherry Blossom

The Yangmingshan Flower Festival is usually held from around mid-February to March, with exhibitions and activities while the flowers are in full bloom. Dates and programs change every year, so check the Taipei City Government’s announcement before you go.

There are various kinds of cherry blossoms in different months. In January, lines of Kanzakura cherry trees（寒櫻）form a picturesque view at Ln. 42, Pingjing St. Yaezakura（八重櫻）and Taiwan Cherry（台灣山櫻花）are available the whole season in both Floriculture Experiment Center and Qianshan Park. As for Showa Cherry Blossom（昭和櫻）and Yoshino Cherry Blossom（吉野櫻）, they can be found in February and March. And you can see them in almost anywhere in the Yangming Park. If you think it’s too late to see cherry blossoms in March, don’t worry! There’s still Oshima Cherry Blossom to behold at the end of the season. Seize the time and go to Datun Nature Park and Yangming Park Cherry Blossom Forest for flower viewing.

Azalea Flowers

Following the cherry blossom season, azalea flowers await to delight your eyes. The most commonly seen species of the flower in Yangmingshan National Park is Oldham’s Azalea. The very special thing about this kind of azalea is that it has tiny golden hairs on its leaves, so when the sunlight shines on them, they reflect the light and make it a dazzling scene. And the Hushan Rd. leading up to Yangming Park is where to see the grand blossom.

With more than 80000 azalea flowers blooming together along the road, strolling down the way will make you feel the spirit of spring. Another place to appreciate azalea flower is the Floriculture Experiment Center. If you think you can only see cherry blossom in the center, you are wrong! In the center, there are more than 80 flora species, whether imported from other countries or bred domestically, and there is also a designated area for more than 5 species of azalea flowers. For flower lovers, it is a must-go destination recommended for you.

Calla Lily

The Zhuzihu Calla Lily Festival is usually held from around mid-March to late April, and the flowers keep blooming for a few weeks after that. During the festival, the farms host a series of activities and markets; dates change every year, so check the Taipei City Government’s announcement before you go.

Symbolizing magnificence, the color of calla lily frequently seen in Yangmingshan is white, which also gives it a meaning of purity. And the yellow one has the meaning of being like-minded; the pink one stands for sincerity while the flower with orange color means being fond of someone.

For the best calla lily viewing spot, Zhuzihu will take the lead. It is also the very first place to plant the huge number of calla lilies in Yangmingshan. Another popular spot is Dinghu, which is not far from Zhuzihu. Sitting beside the field, innumerable white lilies, held up by thick green stalks, scattered in front of you. When fogs cloud the mountain, the view becomes too dreamy to be real. Along the road, tourists may see many farms or gardens with signs saying “Calla Lilies Picking.” Prices are set by each farm. Please note that most white lilies are planted in swamps, which means that jumpsuit raincoat is a necessity for flowers picking.

Hydrangea

Starting from May to July, it is Hydrangea’s turn to make tourists wow. This flower is loved for its big, colorful, and luxurious blooms. To see the mesmerizing scene, there are three places recommended. The first one is Gaojia Hydrangea Garden. If you google “Yangmingshan Hydrangea,” you will see many pictures of girls standing in front of a wall of hydrangea flowers, and this is the place where the pictures are taken. This garden is very famous for the flower wall and it is said that it can take an hour just to line up for taking pictures in front of the wall. Next, Dashangyuan (大賞園) is another spot people flock to see hydrangea, too. Having Hsiaoyukeng, a fumarole that vents steam gas, as its background, the view at Dashangyuan appears mysterious.

People additionally comment that because of the specially-designed trails here, it is easier to take pictures without many strangers in the background. After that, it is time for Big Terraced Field Ecological Flora Farm. Flowers here are planted in the terraced field, which forms a picturesque view that will have your eyes out on stalks.

MyProGuide’s Friendly Reminder: Entrance fee is required for the gardens.

Silvergrass

After the sweltering season, the temperature drops gently and autumn breeze starts to blow. Silvergrass makes a sheet of a snow-white blanket, covering most of the national park. Here, tourists can see “snow” without suffering the freezing temperature. From October to December, people come to Yangmingshan, wandering along the trails with silvergrass swaying beside. Without a doubt, this is the best season to go trekking in the mountain.

But where, people wonder, is the best place to view the breathtaking scene?

Qingtiangang, a vast grassland where used to be pasture, is now a popular spot people go for leisure hiking. With endless silvergrass backed by a clear blue sky, it forms the picture that really broadens people’s mind. If the fog veils the view, don’t panic, there’s another place more beautiful during foggy days. Menghuanhu, which means “dream lake” in Chinese, looks like somewhere that exists only in fairy tales. Because of the rich ecology, it is a conservation area and seems to be isolated from the outside world. Embraced by the grassland, the misted-green lake is ruffled by the breeze and sparkles. During misty days, the scene is so dreamy that tourists will feel like they have entered a wonderland.

Want to take a nice stroll along the routes full of flowers? Come with us to Yangmingshan, relax, breathe in the fragrance of these wonderful plants and make your Taipei trip the most aromatic one.

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