Cherry Blossom Season in Alishan

Part of the Alishan travel guide — see every topic in All Alishan Guides.

In spring, Alishan becomes one of the best places in Taiwan to see cherry blossoms. Thousands of trees flower around the main village, the railway station and the old forestry buildings. The blossom season usually runs from about mid-March to mid-April, with the peak often in late March or early April. It is also the busiest time of the year at Alishan. With some planning, you can enjoy the flowers and avoid the worst of the crowds.

When the trees bloom

Several types of cherry grow at Alishan, and they flower at different times. Some early types bloom from February. The main show is the Yoshino cherry, with pale pink and white flowers, which usually blooms from around mid-March into April. The exact dates change each year with the weather. A warm winter can bring flowers earlier, and a cold spell can delay them. The Alishan Forest Recreation Area and local news sites post bloom updates each spring, so check them before you book.

Where to see the blossoms

The best-known area is around the old Alishan work station and the gardens near the main hotels, where rows of Yoshino cherries line the paths. The trees around the railway station and along the forest roads are also beautiful, and the sight of the forest train passing under the flowers is popular with photographers. Some quieter trees grow along the walking loop between the giant trees and Sisters Ponds. Lower down, the tea towns along Highway 18 also have cherry trees that bloom among the tea fields.

The Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival

Each year, the recreation area holds a cherry blossom festival during the main bloom. There are often music, small events and night lighting of some trees, though the details change from year to year. Check the official recreation area website for this year's dates and programme. During the festival, the area can get extremely busy, especially at weekends. Roads may have traffic controls, and private cars may be asked to park lower down and use shuttle buses. Public transport is the easiest way to arrive.

Beating the crowds

The best advice is to visit on a weekday and stay at least one night. Day-trip groups arrive from mid-morning and leave by late afternoon, so early mornings and evenings are much calmer. Book hotels, train seats and bus tickets as early as possible, because they sell out quickly in blossom season. If the main area is too busy, walk a little further along the forest trails, where you can still find trees in flower with fewer people. Be patient at popular photo spots.

Enjoying the blossoms with care

Please do not shake branches, pick flowers or climb trees for photos. Stay on paths and do not step on the roots, which can harm the trees. Keep drones away unless you have checked the rules, as they are restricted in many parts of the recreation area. Mornings in spring are still cold at this height, so bring warm clothes. Spring weather can also bring fog and rain, which often clears in the afternoon. Even on a misty day, the blossoms in the forest are worth seeing.

Cherry Blossom Season at a glance

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