Here are the 12 best places to view cherry blossoms in Taiwan!
Spring marks the changing of seasons, and with that new beginnings and transformations! On that note, something that everyone associates with spring is the blooming of cherry blossoms and the romantic nature that comes with it (we're looking at you new couples or couples to be).
If you're reading this now, you must already be planning a romantic cherry blossom viewing trip in spring. In addition to Japan and South Korea, there are also many cherry blossom viewing spots in Taiwan! What are the pros of visiting Taiwan? Amazing food that's all around you (night markets), on top of an equally magnificent cherry blossom viewing experience!
In suitable weather conditions, the earliest cherry blossom blooms can be found at Tamsui Tianyuan Temple at the end of January. And from our handy map, you can see that there are many viewing spots from North to South of Taiwan! Read on for 12 of our most recommended cherry blossom viewing spots in Taiwan.
Here are some of our recommended locations for some of the best cherry blossom viewing locations:
- [Taichung] Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village
- [Taichung] Aowanda Forest Recreation Area
⚠️ The following cherry blossom forecast dates are estimated from previous years. The blooming of cherry blossoms is greatly affected by weather conditions and the actual blooming dates may vary slightly every year!
Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Northern Taiwan
1. Taipei - Yangmingshan National Park
Cherry blossoms in Yangmingshan
Spanning around 28,400 hectares, it's safe to say that there are many places to enjoy cherry blossoms within Yangmingshan National Park! These include areas near the bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek, Shuilian Cave at the second parking lot, the park's visitor center, lake and mountain green space, cherry blossom stream, and more!
Besides cherry blossoms, Yangmingshan is also known for various other seasonal blooms like Rhododendrons in early spring and Calla Lilly in April, making the national park a real springtime hot spot.
Cherry blossom at Ping Jing Street | Image by @cjc0327 on Flickr
If you're looking for the most romantic cherry blossom trail in Yangmingshan, 42 Pingjing Street (平菁街 42 巷) is the place to be! It's also the earliest cherry blossom viewing spot in Taipei.
Besides the cherry blossoms in Yangmingshan, we also really recommend giving Beitou a visit! Explore popular locations like Beitou Hot Spring Museum, Geothermal Valley, Qingtiangang Grassland, and more!
- 🌸 Flower season: 11 February - 19 March
- 🌸 Mountain cherry blossoms (山櫻花): Early to mid February
- 🌸 Yae sakura (八重櫻): Mid to end February
- 🌸 Showa sakura (昭和櫻): Late February to early March
- 🌸 Yoshino sakura (吉野櫻): Mid to end March
- 📍Yangming Park (No.26, Section 2, Hushan Road, Beitou District, Taipei City) | 陽明公園（台北市北投區湖山路二段26號)
2. Taipei - LOHAS Park
Night cherry blossom event at LOHAS Park | Image from LOHAS Park official page
With a 3km long cherry blossom trail along the Neigou river in Neihu, there's definitely no shortage of cherry blossoms to admire at LOHAS Park. You'll be able to see various species of cherry blossoms that include Yae sakura (八重櫻), Showa sakura (昭和櫻), Yoshino sakura (吉野櫻) and Formosa sakura (福爾摩沙櫻)!
The blooms here usually happen around the Spring Festival and if you get the timing of your trip just right, you'll be able to see the flowers gradually change from pink and white to pink and deep red.
Klook Tip: If you're looking for something that's extra romantic, visit the park at night and take a stroll along the perfectly lit cherry blossom trail!
- 🌸 Night Cherry Blossom Festival lighting date: 3 - 28 February
- 📍Lane 61, Kangle St, Neihu District, Taipei City, Taiwan 114 | 台北市內湖區康樂街 61 巷
3. New Taipei - Tianyuan Temple (淡水天元宮)
Cherry blossoms at Tianyuan Temple | Image by @tommychane88 (CC BY 2.0) on Flickr
An iconic spot that attracts both locals and tourists for viewing cherry blossoms in northern Taiwan, Tianyuan Temple features beautiful Yoshino sakura (吉野櫻) that blooms around mid-March every year. And with the Chinese-styled temple as a backdrop, your pictures will definitely turn out looking charmingly poetic!
- 🌸 Three-coloured cherry blossoms (後山三色櫻): Late January to mid February
- 🌸 Yoshino sakura (吉野櫻) around Tianyuan Temple: Mid March to end April
- 📍No. 30, Section 3, Beixin Road, Shuiyuanli, Tamsui District, New Taipei City | 新北市淡水區水源里北新路三段 30 號
- Details: Tianyuan Temple | Facebook
Image by @0127rita on Instagram
Besides cherry blossom viewing, you need to give Jiufen a visit while you're in the area! A picturesque town with nostalgic teahouses and atmospheric alleys, this former gold mining town perched on the mountaintop attracts visitors from all around the world.
Get lost in the meandering lanes of the Jiufen Old Street as you savor local street food and browse shops peddling Taiwanese snacks and souvenirs. Look for the iconic staircase that leads down to the Amei Teahouse and Shengping Theater and capture your “I have been to Jiufen” photos here!
4. Taoyuan - Lala Mountain Loving Farm (拉拉山恩愛農場)
While most visit Lala Mountain to have a taste of its sweet and juicy peaches during summer, it is also home to one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in spring! Covering an area of about 4 hectares, step into Loving Farm and you'll be surrounded by a sea of pink petals.
You can even bring your own food for a picnic under the trees and take a close-up selfie with the cherry blossoms with the small ladders that are provided by the farm!
- 🌸 Flower season: February to mid March
- 🌸 Fuji sakura (富士櫻): Early February
- 🌸 Thousand Island sakura (千島櫻): End February
- 📍No. 143, Shangbaling Center Road, Hualingli, Fuxing District, Taoyuan City | 桃園市復興區華陵里上巴陵中心路 143 號
- Opening hours: 9:00 - 20:00
- Tickets TWD $100
- Details: Loving Farm Official Website
5. Yilan - MaKau Ecological Park (馬告生態公園)
Cherry blossoms at MaKau Ecological Park | Image from MaKau Ecological Park Official Page
The perfect destination for all you nature lovers, at MaKau Ecological Park, you'll be able to enjoy cherry blossom blooms in spring, a firey sea of maple leaves in autumn, and plum blossom blooms in winter!
If you're looking for something a little more romantic, there are also hot springs in the park that you can take a soak in while enjoying the blooms under the cherry blossom trees.
- 🌸 Cherry blossoms: Mid January to March
- 🍁 Maple leaf: November to December
- 📍 No. 6, Section 4, Taiya Road, Taiping Village, Datong Township, Yilan County | 宜蘭縣大同鄉太平村泰雅路四段 6 號
- Tickets: Qilan Forest Recreation Area from $80 TWD / Mingchi Forest Recreation Area from $95 TWD
- Details: MaKau Ecological Park
Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Central Taiwan
6. Taichung - Wuling Farm (武陵農場)
Cherry blossoms in Wuling Farm
Being one of Taiwan's most popular cherry blossom viewing spots, expect more than 20,000 cherry trees of different varieties like mountain cherries (山櫻花), Yae sakura (八重櫻) and Wu She sakura (霧社櫻) when you step into Wuling Farm!
- 🌸 Flower season: Early to end February
- Cherry blossom day tour in Wuling Farm, Taichung
7. Nantou - Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village (九族文化村)
Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village cherry blossom festival
With blooms starting as early as February, enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village where you'll be able to view 8 different varieties of cherry blossoms from over 5,000 trees. Did we also mention that you'll also get to experience a magical nighttime viewing session here too!
Klook Tip: Take a short detour to Sun Moon Lake and enjoy the panoramic springtime view of the cherry blossom blooms from the sky!
- 🌸 Flower season: 6 February to 5 March
- 📍 No. 45, Jintian Lane, Yuchi Township, Nantou County | 南投縣魚池鄉金天巷 45 號
- Opening hours: 9:30 - 17:00 (weekdays), 9:30 - 17:30 (weekends)
- Opening hours during cherry blossom season: 9:30 - 19:00 on weekdays & public holidays
- Tickets: From USD 25.55
8. Nantou - Sun Moon Lake (日月潭)
Take a short day trip from Taipei to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Sun Moon Lake! Starting in February, you'll also get to see cherry blossom blooms at various points around the area like Crescent Bay, Ci'en Pagoda Trail, Yidashao Lakeside Trail, and more!
9. Nantou - Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area (奧萬大森林遊樂區)
Cherry blossoms in Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area | Image by Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area Official Page
Sitting at an altitude of 1,100 - 2,600m, the Aowanda National Forest Recreation Area will always have magical views to offer all year round, with butterflies in summer, maple leaves in autumn, cypresses in winter and, of course, cherry blossoms in spring!
- 🌸 Mountain sakura (山櫻花): Late December to January
- 🌸 Yae sakura (八重櫻): Early February to March
- 🌸 Wu She sakura (霧社櫻): End February to March
- 🍁 Maple leaf: Late December to January
10. Chiayi - Alishan (阿里山)
Take the Alishan train to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way
You'll know when spring is here when the Yoshino sakura in the Alishan Forest Recreation Area starts blooming! During the cherry blossom season, this already popular Taiwanese landmark is made even more gorgeous with pink cherry blossom petals sprinkled all over the top of the mountain.
Coupled with the many Japanese-style buildings in Alishan, the cherry viewing experience here is a unique one as you'll feel like you're in Japan! Drink tea under the cherry trees, take a walk around the various tea gardens, and just soak in the surreal atmosphere.
- 🌸 Alishan Forest Recreation Area: Mid March to mid April
- 🌸 Alishan National Scenic Area: December to March
- Alishan Forest Recreation Area tickets: USD 6.55
- Details: Alishan scenic Management office
Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Southern Taiwan
11. Pingtung - Wutai Sandimen Township (霧台三地門)
Wutai Cherry Blossom King | Image by @youxing_tu on Flickr
Popular for its annual cherry blossom viewing activities, there's a 30-year-old cherry tree in Wutai Township that's referred to as the 'King of Cherry Blossoms in Wutai'. If you're thinking of making a trip down, do note that you would need to apply for a mountain pass at the Sandimen police station and pay an admission fee of $10 TWD to enter!
- 🌸 Flower season: Late January to early March
- 📍 No. 33, Yanban Lane, Wutai Village, Wutai Township, Pingtung County (Wutai Cherry Blossom King) | 屏東縣霧台鄉霧台村岩坂巷 33 號 (霧臺櫻花王)
Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Eastern Taiwan
12. Hualien - Taroko National Park (太魯閣)
Both a popular attraction and cherry blossom viewing spot, take a day trip to Taroko National Park from Taipei and enjoy the beautiful views of cherry blossoms along the way. Some of our must-visit places are the Xiaozhuilu Trail (小錐麓步道), Jiuqu Cave (九曲洞), and the Swallow Grotto Yanzikou Trail (燕子口步道)!
