Miaoli Travel: The Chrysanthemum Morifolium Festival

Travel Date: 2018/11/27

Today, we visited Miaoli to see the blooming chrysanthemums. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, the view was still beautiful. Many people had also come to see the flowers, making it a bit crowded and challenging to find parking space on the small roads. Around Tongluo, there are several places where you can enjoy the flowers and also find food stalls and vendors selling fresh and dried flowers. Don't miss the opportunity to try chrysanthemum tea, it's quite delightful. If you arrive early enough, you can witness the workers picking the flowers.

Every year, Tongluo Township organizes the Chrysanthemum Morifolium Festival, which starts on November 8th. This year, the chrysanthemum fields cover 60 hectares, making it the largest of its kind in Taiwan. Jiuhu Village, with its ample sunlight and heavy fog, is particularly suitable for growing chrysanthemums. The farming area initially covered 18 hectares in 1971 but has expanded over time. In 2012, they developed a pesticide-free cultivation method, which involves cutting off the buds that are most likely to have insects and drying them under the sun to prevent infestations. This reduced the use of pesticides by more than 90%.

Chrysanthemums are cold-resistant and can tolerate temperatures ranging from 10°C to 32°C. They can grow in sunny or slightly shaded areas and are resistant to dryness. The flowering period begins in November and lasts for three months, with blossoms in white, yellow, and occasionally purple. In some parts of Asia, chrysanthemums symbolize happiness and long life, while in Europe, they are associated with death and are used for funerals and graves. In Australia, they are popular flowers for Mother's Day.

Chrysanthemum morifolium is not only visually appealing but also has medicinal uses. It has been cultivated since the 15th century BC in China. The flowers can be used in various products such as bath essence, shampoo, hand lotion, and masks. Medicinally, they can treat dysentery, inflammation, lower blood pressure, and strengthen the body. Chrysanthemum tea is a popular beverage, and the leaves can be used in culinary preparations. Chemical analysis has shown that chrysanthemums contain volatile oil, amino acids, flavonoids, vitamins, and trace elements, which contribute to their health benefits.

See also: Chrysanthemum Tea

  

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