As Taiwan’s annual spring cherry blossom season nears its end, photographer Song Yongtai mentioned that during the recent 228 long weekend, many people traveled to enjoy cherry blossoms. However, he and his companions chose to avoid the crowds and waited until after the holiday to visit the Shuanglinxi Forest Ecological Park in Zhushan Township, Nantou County. They were delighted to witness the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom.
According to Song Yongtai, he heard that on the 228 Memorial Day itself, Shuanglinxi welcomed around 40,000 to 50,000 visitors. They departed from Kaohsiung on the 2nd, stayed overnight at a bed and breakfast, and on the morning of the 3rd (today), in order to avoid traffic congestion, they set off as early as 6 a.m. to head to the cherry blossom viewing spot. Upon arrival at the park, there were already a dozen cars in line, but after a short wait, they entered the park around 7 a.m.
Song Yongtai, who enjoys cherry blossom viewing, shared that Taiwan offers distinctive features compared to overseas cherry blossom viewing experiences. For instance, at Shuanglinxi, the park covers a vast area where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of mountains, riverbanks, and a sea of cherry blossoms. Driving along a 3-kilometer loop around the riverbanks at Shuanglinxi, they were surrounded by cherry blossoms on both sides, creating a romantic atmosphere filled with pink bubbles, making it hard to leave.
Located at an altitude of 1,600 meters, the Shuanglinxi Forest Ecological Park requires visitors to purchase tickets for entry. This ticket includes shuttle service within the park and costs NT$350 for full admission. The park is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and spans 40 hectares, featuring several main attractions such as the cherry blossom forest, Stone Well Beach, Blue Dragon Waterfall, Song Tai Rock Waterfall, Heaven and Earth Eyes, Chinese Medicinal Herb Garden, Gingko Lake, and more.
Regarding this year’s cherry blossom season, impacted by cold waves, Song Yongtai mentioned that the viewing period in various parts of Taiwan has been delayed by about a week. He estimates that Shuanglinxi’s prime cherry blossom viewing period will last for another week, providing an opportunity to witness the full bloom of cherry blossoms. He encourages people to seize this final chance to enjoy a wonderful time, without the need to spend large amounts of money traveling abroad, as Taiwan offers a unique experience with its high mountain cherry blossoms.
Song Yongtai emphasized the importance of capturing cherry blossoms with smartphones by ensuring a well-chosen foreground, middle ground, and background, while also being mindful of the light source and direction to achieve a clear and layered effect in photos. Lastly, he highlighted that from March 3 to 8, it is expected to be the peak period for cherry blossoms at Shuanglinxi, where visitors can not only admire the flowers but also enjoy other blooms like tulips within the park, making it a worthwhile visit.