Living in the South, it's difficult to see red maples or cherry blossoms like we used to see in Hsinchu. Sometimes I miss the views we had in the north, but definitely not the weather. Currently, the temperature in Tainan is over 20 degrees, and it feels great (except at night). We haven't had much time to travel far and enjoy the winter scenery, so I've been searching for the nearest possible places. Some time ago, I came across Honge Park in Baihe, although my husband was a bit reluctant to go there. Especially with his constantly changing job and different shifts, it's been challenging. The working culture in Taiwan, especially for engineers, is really tough, and it's even worse the closer you get to TSMC. We're also constantly looking for different apartments to rent or buy, but the prices in Tainan are crazy. Often, we find places that are more expensive and in worse condition than what we saw in Hsinchu.
Staying at home can be boring, but with the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, it doesn't feel safe to travel to busy places. We've seen plum blossoms lately, and even on weekdays, it was still quite crowded. Not knowing what else to do, we finally decided to go to Baihe. It's less than an hour's drive from our place. However, our car navigation system took us on a different road than the actual park entrance. The road was small and very steep, but it was only half a kilometer away, so we parked on the roadside and walked to the park. Unfortunately, it's already the middle of January, and most of the maple leaves have already fallen. There are very few trees left with orange/red leaves. However, at the top of the park, near the actual entrance and car parking area, there is a beautiful big maple tree that is still turning orange.
Hongye Park (紅葉公園)
As Tainan has a warm climate, it's rare to see mountainsides covered in red maple leaves during winter. However, due to the higher altitude, such scenes can be enjoyed at Hongye Park in Guanziling. The lower temperatures at this elevation cause the leaves to turn from green to red. The sight of Hongye Park filled with yellow and red leaves is usually seen in late December, and the park has become a must-visit place for many winter tourists. In recent years, the park has also created a butterfly-friendly environment by planting various nectar plants, attracting different butterfly species, including purple butterflies.
Wow I never imagined maple in Taiwan. I live in a country just a few miles south and the climate here is very tropical. Amazing what a small difference in latitude can do.
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