Yangmingshan’s Hidden Gems: More Than Just Calla Lilies!

Okay, let’s talk about **Yangmingshan flowers**! This spot is practically Taipei’s famous ‘backyard garden.’ And honestly, for good reason. Spring flower season is the absolute best time to visit. For ages, I dreamed of seeing Zhuzihu’s calla lilies in April. They’re supposed to be absolutely magnificent then.

Travel plans, am I right? Before 2017, my Taipei work trips always missed spring. I kept waiting for the ‘perfect time.’ Then 2016 hit. My epic Taitung beach trip got sidelined. So, I ended up on a bus to Yangmingshan. It was drizzling, and I wasn’t thrilled.

But you know what? Unplanned adventures are often the best. I was a bit miffed, sure. Then I got a huge surprise! The calla lilies were gone, but the hydrangeas? Wow, they were absolutely popping!

You know I love hydrangeas if you read my Alishan post. In grad school, I was obsessed with FarmVille. My digital garden overflowed with hydrangeas! My first real encounter was in Alishan. Even a few blooms amazed me. But Zhuzihu, Yangmingshan? Total game changer! Picture endless fields of hydrangeas. They glowed under the blue sky. It was truly breathtaking. A perfect photo op!

Another visit happened later that year. I finished a work trip in Kaohsiung. No direct flights to Beijing from there. So, I hopped on the high-speed rail to Taipei. I crashed for a night. My flight was the next afternoon. I had a half-day to kill. ‘Why not sightsee?’ I thought. So, I visited the Yangmingshan Flower Center. Their tea camellias were in bloom!

Fast forward to 2019. I finally brought my parents to Taiwan! Guess what? It was April, perfect for calla lilies! We went up the mountain to see them. Then, a huge surprise! Some cherry blossoms were still blooming! Our guide was shocked. Yangmingshan’s cherry season usually ends by January. Must have been some crazy weather!

Next up, Xiaoyoukeng, or ‘Sulfur Valley.’ It’s Taiwan’s only active volcano! Pretty cool, right? Our guide said the hot spring water here is boiling. You could actually cook an egg in it! My dad, ever curious, was totally fascinated.

Honestly, Yangmingshan is famous for cherry blossoms, azaleas, and calla lilies. I’m still chasing those azalea and cherry blossom dreams. Their peak is usually after Chinese New Year. Beyond nature, Yangmingshan offers history too. Think Grass Mountain Chateau and Zhang Xueliang’s old home. But those are tales for another time!

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