Chan U-Jane
Image credit: Akito Lin
Spring is in the air, and so are the pink petals of Sakura, or better known as cherry blossoms. In Taiwan, Sakura season stretches from late January to mid April, which gives you a wide window to make your trip over and snap some shots of these pink blooms, made only more breathtaking by majestic views like waterfalls and lakes.
Also check out: 6 Insta-worthy Sakura Spots in Japan: Vibrant Blossoms, Snow-capped Mountains + More!
1. Alishan: Late January to Mid April
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In Chiayi County, countless Yoshino cherry blossoms bloom line along the Alishan Highway, attracting thousands of people each year with their clouds of pastel pink petals. If you’ve ever seen pictures of this iconic red train rolling through the Alishan Forest Railway through overhanging branches of cherry blossoms, this is probably the spot.
Image credit: 葉 瑞聰
Don’t be surprised at the wide time frame for Sakura viewing in Alishan as they have various species of cherry trees blooming at different times. In January to March, you’ll be able to see the Taiwanese Sakura – as the name suggests, this type of Sakura is native to Taiwan and also the most common. Other types of cherry blossoms include the Double-Layer Sakura that blooms from February to March, as well as the Yoshino Cherries, blooming from mid March to late April.
2. Wu’s Ancestral Shrine: End January to Early February
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Wu’s Ancestral Shrine is probably the best place to live out your Taiwanese period drama fantasies, especially between during the few weeks that the Sakura flowers are in full bloom from the end of January to early February.
While the shrine is a grand palace-style building surrounded by Oriental Cherry Blossoms, we recommend you head a little further to the Chinese-style pavilion for the perfect photos. Situated next to the Beitou hillsides, the pavilion provides an amazing view of the Tamsui and Shilin suburbs in the distance.
3. Yangmingshan National Park: Mid February to Mid March
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Yangmingshan National Park in Taipei is undoubtedly one of the most popular if not the most popular places to admire cherry blossoms in Taiwan. In 2017’s Sakura season alone, this national park garnered over a million tourists.
Image credit: Chao-Wei Juan
And it’s really no surprise, with so many different types of cherry blossoms, like the Yoshino cherries, the Showa cherries, and the Yaezakura double cherries (double petaled blossoms!), Yangmingshan makes for the perfect opportunity for springtime floral photographs.
Image credit: Chao-Wei Juan
Aside from the numerous cherry blossom trees set against this gorgeous landscape of mountainous terrain, why not get some snaps of the Seven Star Mountain while you’re here? It’s Taiwan’s largest volcano!
Alternatively, you could also enjoy the fresh, crisp air as you trek through any of the numerous hiking trails. But if trekking isn’t your choice of activities, you could opt to soak and relax in natural hot springs while enjoying the view of these delicate pink blossoms.
4. Wuji Tianyuan Temple: Mid February to Mid March
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Being only a 30-minute bus ride from Tamsui MRT, Wuji Tianyuan Temple is one of the most accessible Sakura spots in Taipei. Combined with its impressive scenery, it’s really no surprise that this spot is also one of the most popular.
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Located in the quiet countryside of Danshui in New Taipei City, this majestic Taoist temple stands tall amongst Yoshino Cherry trees with branches that reach the building’s second floor. If the huge garden outside the temple isn’t enough to wow you, then step inside and be awed by the temple’s grand interiors.
5. Wulai Waterfall: Early March
Image credit: Tidus Lin
We don’t know about you, but we find something especially poetic about fragile cherry blossoms against a thunderous waterfall in the background. Wulai Waterfall is 80 metres tall – making it the highest waterfall in Northern Taiwan; and the blossoms blooming here are Taiwan Cherry Blossoms, the native Sakura of Taiwan.
Image credit: Tidus Lin
Fun fact: Atayal people – also known as the Tayal or Tayan people – are the third largest indigenous group of people from Taiwan.
After admiring Wulai Waterfall, head over to the nearby Wulai Old Street to experience a bit of Atayal culture. From aboriginal food like sausages made from wild boar, millet mochi and Mountain Litsea (a type of flower) ice cream to handicrafts such as glass bead bracelets and woven pouches, Wulai Old Street is the perfect place to pick up some souvenirs!
6. Sun Moon Lake: Early February to Late March
Image credit: 葉 瑞聰
If you’re in Nantou County, head over to Sun Moon Lake for one of the most stunning views of the elusive cherry blossoms. With hundreds of Mountain Cherry trees lining the glassy lake, and over 2,000 cherry blossom trees standing in the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, there truly is no shortage of alluring sights here.
Image credit: Jacques Beaulieu
Do you know that the largest cherry blossom event in Taiwan is the one held at the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village? Since 2001, every February is dedicated to the appreciation of the thousands of Sakura trees on the vicinity.
Cultural performances like Taiko drum demonstrations spice up the atmosphere in the day, and night-time illuminations of the cherry blossoms provide a colourful and romantic atmosphere for a stroll with loved ones.
Image credit: 葉 瑞聰
Another spot to check out is the National Chi Nan University. This huge campus takes up 150 hectares (that’s 370 acres!) of land covering mountains, grasslands and plantations, all forming a picturesque scenery.
The beauty of this scenery is only amplified by the 20 hectares (approximately 50 acres) of cherry blossom woods, home to hundreds of both Taiwan Cherry Blossom Trees and Japan Double-Flowered Cherry Blossom Trees. That’s right, contrary to popular belief, the title for ‘having the largest cherry blossom woods in a university’ goes to Taiwan, not Japan!
7. Tai-an Police Station: Late February to Early March
Image credit: 盈棻 吳
Granted, Tai-an Police Station in Taichung isn’t one of the first places that come to mind when Sakura spots in Taiwan are mentioned. But it doesn’t stop the Yaezakura cherry blossoms – with more than five petals per flower – planted along the road here to liven up the quaint neighbourhood!
Image credit: 盈棻 吳
During cherry blossom season, the Taichung City Government arranges shuttle buses to ferry tourists between Tai-an Train Station and Tai-an Police Station. With that said, plan well; a couple of weeks isn’t actually a lot of time to catch the cherry blossoms here.
As good as the pictures here are, it’s nothing compared to seeing these exquisite flowers in with your own eyes. So what are you waiting for; add these locations to your itinerary on your next Taiwan trip and check cherry blossoms off your bucket list!
