Taipei: The annual Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival is set to commence on March 10, with the peak bloom anticipated in mid-to-late March, as announced by the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on Sunday.
According to Focus Taiwan, Taiwan and Okame varieties of cherry blossom trees are currently about 50 percent in bloom. This information was shared at a joint press conference organized by the MOA's Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency and the Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office.
Promotional materials from the park indicate that other cherry blossom varieties, such as Ryukyu kanhizakura, Wushe, Kuril, Yoshino, Kazan, Kawazu-zakura, Oshima, and Shirofugen, will bloom in the coming weeks throughout Alishan Township's National Forest Recreation Area.
During a promotional event at the Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park, officials encouraged the public to plan their visits to the Alishan National Forest Recreation Area. They also recommended using public transportation to ensure a "safe and comfortable cherry blossom-viewing experience."
Officials noted that the flowering is expected to be "even more splendid" than usual this year, due to the persistent low temperatures.