2026 Tung Blossom (May Snow) Flower Viewing Attractions Guide
The best time for flower viewing in the 2026 tung flower season, popular attractions across Taiwan, photography tips, travel recommendations, and a complete guide to mastering the snow in May
Last Updated:2026-04-06
Flower conditions are affected by weather, and the actual flowering time varies slightly from year to year. It is recommended to check the real-time flower conditions in various locations before departure.
Table of Contents
1. Tung flower season time and flower status prediction
Tung flower (scientific name: Vernicia fordii) is commonly known as "May snow", and its peak flowering period is from mid-April to mid-May every year. Due to differences in altitude and temperature in various places, the flowering time gradually delays from south to north. Due to warmer spring temperatures in 2026, the flowering period is expected to be slightly earlier.
| area | Estimated flowering period | blooming period | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nantou, Yunlin | Early April to late April | mid-April | earliest flowering area |
| Miaoli, Hsinchu | Mid-April to early May | Late April to early May | The densest flower viewing area in Taiwan |
| Taoyuan, New Taipei | Late April to mid-May | Early May | The first choice for urban suburbs |
| Keelung, Yilan | Early May to late May | mid-may | The latest flowering period |
Tip
- The lifespan of a single tung flower is about 3 to 5 days, and the flowering period of the whole tree is about 2 to 3 weeks.
- The day after a rain is usually the best time to enjoy flowers, with the most flowers falling on the ground.
- You can follow the official website of the Customer Committee "Tung Blossom Festival" to check the real-time flower status
2. Miaoli Classic Flower Viewing Route
Miaoli is the county with the highest density of tung flowers in Taiwan. It has many classic flower-viewing trails and the main events of the tung flower festival are also held here.
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Shitou Mountain Trail (Shishan Ancient Trail)
Nanzhuang Shitou Mountain Scenic Area is about 3.5 kilometers long. It is densely covered with tung trees and has gentle trails suitable for family outings. The section from Quanhua Hall to Kaishan Temple has the most beautiful scenery.
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Liuliao Ancient Road
Located in Nanzhuang Township, with a total length of about 2 kilometers, it is the most recommended secret route for photography enthusiasts. The streams beside the ancient road are paired with fallen flowers, forming a classic petal stream landscape.
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Tengping Trail (Tiaotan Ancient Trail)
The classic trail in Sanyi Township is about 5 kilometers long, and the Tonghua Tunnel has a spectacular view. The trail retains the historical traces of early charcoal pickers, and combines both humanity and nature.
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April Snow Trail
Next to the Sanyi Wood Sculpture Museum, the total length is only 700 meters. It is a short and easy walk and is suitable for family trips. The observation deck at the end of the trail overlooks Tonghua Mountain.
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Causeway bike path
The only Tung Blossom Bike Trail in Taiwan, lined with Tung Blossoms, you can enjoy the flowers by bike, which is suitable for tourists who like a relaxing trip.
Tip
- Nanzhuang Old Street is about a 10-minute drive from Lion Head Mountain and Liuliao Ancient Road. Half-day tours can be arranged
- Sanyi Woodcarving Street is about 5 minutes’ drive from Tiatan Ancient Road.
- There are many crowds during holidays, so it is recommended to arrive before 8am to grab a parking space
3. Popular flower viewing spots in Hsinchu
The tung trees in Hsinchu County are mainly distributed around the Hakka settlements such as Emei, Beipu, and Hukou. You can experience the Hakka culture deeply while admiring the flowers.
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Emei Lake Lake Trail
The loop around Emei Lake is about 3.5 kilometers, and the tung flowers on the lakeside reflect the water, making the scenery picturesque. The trail section next to Tai Po Reservoir has the most dense tung trees.
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Beipu Cold Spring Trail
Starting from Beipu Old Street, it takes about 20 minutes to walk to Lengquan District. Tung trees and green shades are intertwined along the way. On the way back, you can visit the old street and eat Lei Cha.
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Hukou Old Street to Renhe Trail
The flower-viewing route starting from the century-old street is about 1.5 kilometers long and is of low difficulty and suitable for the whole family.
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Shierliao Leisure Agriculture Area
The Tung Blossom Secret Land in Emei Township has many industrial roads where you can enjoy the flowers. The crowds are less and it is suitable for tourists who like quiet.
Tip
- The Hakka Leicha and persimmon cakes in Beipu Old Street are must-try delicacies
- There is a large Maitreya Buddha statue on the bank of Emei Lake, which is a popular landmark for taking photos.
- It’s windy in Hsinchu, so it’s recommended to bring a light jacket for mountain trails
4. Flower viewing spots in the suburbs of Taipei
For Shuangbei residents who don’t want to travel too far, New Taipei City also has many excellent flower viewing spots, which can be reached by taking the MRT or bus.
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Tucheng Tonghua Park
The most famous tung blossom attraction in New Taipei City holds the "Tucheng Tung Blossom Festival" every year. The Chengtian Temple Trail is about 2 kilometers long, densely covered with tung flowers, and well-maintained. It can be reached by taking the MRT Yongning Station and transferring to the bus.
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Three Gorges Yuan Mountain Trail
Starting from Sanxia Old Street, the hiking trail takes about 1 hour to reach the top of Yuan Mountain. Tung flowers coexist with the Dahan River landscape along the way, and the view from the top of the mountain is wide.
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Shenkeng Tianlong Temple Trail
A lesser-known secret spot for flower viewing, the trail is short and gentle and can be completed in about 30 minutes. There is Shenkeng Old Street nearby where you can eat tofu.
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Xizhi Xinshan Menghu Lake
There are sporadic tung flowers around Meng Lake, which, combined with the scenery of the lake and mountains, is suitable for taking beautiful photos. The trail takes about 40 minutes.
Tip
- There is a free shuttle bus during the Tucheng Tung Blossom Festival. For details, please check the official website of the New Taipei City Government.
- The golden croissants at Sanxia Old Street are a famous souvenir
- Some sections of the Yuanshan Trail are steep, so it is recommended to wear hiking shoes.
5. Flower viewing spots in south-central and eastern areas
In addition to the north, there are also tung flower attractions worth visiting in the central, southern and eastern parts, and they are usually less crowded.
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Nantou Niu Er Art Resort
Puli is a famous flower viewing spot. The park combines tung flowers with stone carving art, and you can stay and enjoy the leisurely atmosphere.
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Yunlin Gukeng Hebaoshan
There are dense tung trees along the Hebao Mountain hiking trail, and the top of the mountain overlooks the Jianan Plain. Gukeng Coffee is also a highlight of the trip.
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Changhua Bagua Mountains
On the ridgeline of Bagua Mountain from Changhua City to Yuanlin, tung flowers can be seen along many industrial roads. The ancient water-carrying trail is a classic route.
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Hualien Hegang Wendan Tourist Orchard
A rare tung blossom scenic spot in the east, it is small but has few tourists, so you can enjoy a quiet time to enjoy the flowers.
Tip
- The flowering period is earlier in central and southern areas, so it is recommended to visit before mid-April.
- You can stop by Gukeng Hebao Mountain to taste local coffee
- It is recommended to arrange a two-day and one-night itinerary for flower viewing in the East
6. Photography framing skills
There are many classic composition methods for photographing tung flowers. Master the following techniques to take stunning photos.
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fallen flower carpet
After rain or early in the morning, the ground is covered with white petals to create a "flower carpet" effect. It is recommended to shoot from a low angle, with the tapestry as the foreground and the trail as the extension line.
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petal stream
The fallen flowers beside the stream trail drift along the water, forming a river of white flowers. Use a slow shutter speed to capture soft flowing water effects (1/4 second or more is recommended).
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petal arrangement
Pick up fallen flowers and arrange them on stones and tree trunks to form hearts, words and other shapes. Choose a dark background to highlight the white petals.
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Shooting against the light
The afternoon sunlight penetrates the flowers, creating a translucent backlight effect. It is recommended to shoot between 15:00 and 16:30 for the best lighting angle.
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Figures and flower scenes
Stand under the tung flower tunnel and use scattered petals to create a romantic atmosphere. Wear dark colors to contrast better with the white flowers.
Tip
- It is recommended to turn on HDR mode when shooting with mobile phones to avoid overexposure of white petals.
- 6:00~8:00 in the morning is the best time to take pictures when the light is soft and there are few tourists.
- Bring a dark cloth and spread it on the ground, scattering flower petals on it for a great photo effect
- Please do not shake the branches to cause falling flowers. This is disrespectful to nature.
7. Recommended tourist attractions and food
Tung flowers are mainly distributed in Hakka villages. While admiring the flowers, you can have an in-depth experience of Hakka culture and local cuisine.
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Hakka Cultural Park
The Taiwan Hakka Cultural Center in Tongluo, Miaoli, is free to visit and learn about Hakka history and art. The exhibitions change regularly and are worth multiple visits.
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Nanzhuang Old Street
Osmanthus Alley, Xishankeng and Centennial Post Office are the three must-visit attractions. It is recommended to try the sweet-scented osmanthus stuffed rice, Hakka steamed buns, and pig cage dumplings.
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Sanyi Woodcarving Street
Taiwan's woodcarving center has dozens of woodcarving shops on the street where you can appreciate and purchase art. Shengxing Station is also nearby.
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Beipu Old Street
There are many historical sites such as Jin Guangfu Mansion and Tianshui Hall. Must-try Hakka Leicha, persimmon cakes and latte.
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Hakka food
Hakka stir-fry, large intestine with shredded ginger, braised pork with dried plums, and Hakka rice noodles are the four must-try dishes. During the tung blossom season, some restaurants offer tung blossom-limited set menus.
Tip
- Shengxing Station Jiushan Line rail bikes need to be reserved in advance
- Parking spaces are tight in Nanzhuang during the holidays. It is recommended to take the Taiwan Haoxing Nanzhuang Line Bus
- Hakka Leicha experience DIY about 150-250 yuan/person
8. Transportation and parking information
Most of the Tung Blossom Trails are located in mountainous areas, and it is most convenient to drive by yourself. However, parking spaces are limited during holidays, so taking public transportation is also a good option.
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Parking advice
It is recommended to arrive before 8 a.m. on holidays, as most trailheads only have street parking spaces. There are paid parking lots in Nanzhuang and Beipu Old Street, which cost about 50 to 100 yuan each time.
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Taiwan Haoxing Bus
The Nanzhuang Line and Shishan Line connect high-speed rail stations with major scenic spots, with trains running every 30 to 60 minutes. Additional flights may be offered during the tung flower season.
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Ride sharing and chartered cars
For 4 to 6 people, you can consider chartering a car for a day trip. The cost in Miaoli area is about 3,000 to 5,000 yuan per car. The driver is also a tour guide.
| destination | Driving by yourself | mass transportation |
|---|---|---|
| Miaoli Nanzhuang | National Highway 1 Toufen Interchange → Provincial Highway 3 → County Road 124 | High Speed Rail Hsinchu Station→Taiwan Haoxing Nanzhuang Line |
| Miaoli Sanyi | National Highway No. 1 Sanyi Interchange → Provincial Highway No. 13 | Taiwan Railway Sanyi Station → Taxi or walk |
| Beipu, Hsinchu | National Highway No. 3 Baoshan Interchange → Provincial Highway 3 | High Speed Rail Hsinchu Station→Taiwan Haoxing Shishan Line |
| Tucheng, New Taipei | National Highway No. 3 Tucheng Interchange→Chengtian Road | MRT Yongning Station→Blue 43 bus |
| New Taipei Three Gorges | National Highway No. 3 Sanying Interchange → Fuxing Road | MRT Yongning Station→Bus 916→Three Gorges |
Tip
- Search trail name on Google Maps to navigate to the trailhead
- The roads in the mountainous area are narrow, so please give way when passing cars.
- During the tung blossom season, there will be temporary traffic control around some scenic spots.
9. Flower viewing etiquette and precautions
Flower viewing is an activity to enjoy the beauty of nature. Only by observing basic etiquette can every visitor have a good experience and protect the natural environment.
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Don't shake the tree, don't pick the flowers
Please appreciate the natural falling flowers and do not shake the branches or climb or break the flowers. The most beautiful scenery is when the tung flowers fall naturally.
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Garbage does not fall to the ground
There are no trash cans on most trails, so please bring your own trash bags to take away all trash.
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keep quiet
Mountain trails are home to many animals. Keep the volume at an appropriate level and do not use amplification equipment.
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Wear appropriate equipment
It is recommended to wear non-slip hiking shoes or sports shoes, and bring rain gear, drinking water, and sunscreen.
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Respect other visitors
When taking photos, be careful not to occupy the trail for a long time, so that other tourists can pass and enjoy it.
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Watch out for snakes
Snakes are active in mountainous areas during spring and summer. Pay attention to your feet when walking and do not reach into the grass. Long pants are recommended.
Important Notes
The seeds and sap of the tung flower contain toxic ingredients and should not be eaten by children or pets. If you accidentally come into contact with tree sap and develop skin irritation, please rinse with clean water and seek medical advice.
10. Pre-departure checklist
Make preparations before departure to ensure a smooth and enjoyable flower viewing trip.
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Check flower status
1 to 2 days before departure, check the official website of the Guest Committee Tung Blossom Festival or local tourism bureaus for real-time flower status reports.
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Book restaurants and accommodation
Tung blossom season is the peak tourist season in Hakka villages, and popular restaurants and B&Bs need to be booked 1 to 2 weeks in advance.
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Prepare equipment
Hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, rain gear, water bottle, power bank, small backpack.
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Download offline maps
The signal on some mountain trails is poor, so it is recommended to download Google Maps offline maps in advance.
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Pay attention to the weather
The probability of afternoon thunderstorms is high from April to May, so it is recommended to set off in the morning and descend the mountain before 3 p.m.
Tip
- Mosquito repellent is a must-have, as there are many mosquitoes in mountainous areas
- It is recommended to wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing to protect yourself from the sun and mosquitoes
- Bring snacks and water, there are no shops along some of the trails
Key Takeaways
- 1 The flowering season of tung trees is from mid-April to mid-May each year, later in the north and peak in the central part of the country.
- 2 Miaoli and Hsinchu are the best flower viewing areas in Taiwan, while Lion's Head Mountain and Liuliao Ancient Trail are classic routes.
- 3 Carpets of fallen flowers and streams of petals are the most popular ways to take photos.
- 4 While enjoying the flowers, you can also visit the tourist cultural park and old streets to taste Hakka delicacies.
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