The Calla Lily Festival began yesterday in Yangmingshan’s Zhuzihu (竹子湖) area, where the white flowers cover the valley and visitors can enjoy music performances while admiring the view.
The festival, which will run through April 26, is one of Taipei’s major floral events. The rainy and moist weather in the high-altitude Zhuzihu valley provides an ideal environment for the cultivation of calla lilies. More than 45 calla lily farms in the area will open their doors to visitors during the festival.
In addition to enjoying the fresh air and beautiful flowers, visitors can pick flowers in the fields during the festival. The Taipei City Department of Economic Development said admission for flower-picking was usually NT$100 per person and each visitor would be allowed to pick a bouquet of eight flowers.
Some of the area’s establishments remain open until May, when African lilies and hydrangeas begin to blossom, followed by sunflowers in the summer.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) suggested that visitors spend time in the mountainous area to visit the fields and dine at one of the local restaurants.
For those interested in exploring the area around Zhuzihu, tours are available at 10:30am and 2pm each Saturday and Sunday and depart from the entrance of the Zhuzihu parking lot.
The festival will also feature floral design exhibitions and music performances, the department said.
Taipei City’s Department of Transportation urged visitors to take public transport to the festival because Hudao Boulevard will be crowded during the weekends.
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