WELE Cherry Blossom Park - Visiting Houli, Taichung

Travel Date: 2026/02/16

Long weekend, lots of time… which usually means lots of little trips. And somehow, at least at the beginning of this holiday, it happened that two days in a row we were chasing cherry blossoms.

This time we went to Houli in Taichung.

First, we stopped by the famous Tai’an Police Station, which is well known for cherry blossom viewing. But when we visited, only a few trees were blooming. It still looked nice, but definitely not the full pink explosion you see online.

So we continued to Zhongke Weili Sakura Park — and the situation there was completely different.

Near the entrance, the trees weren’t blooming very generously yet. I was a little worried at first. But as we walked deeper into the park, there were more and more blossoms. White, soft pink, bright pink, even darker double-layered ones. There were also magnolia trees in bloom, which made everything feel even more elegant.

The park isn’t very large, but it’s really pleasant for a walk, especially if you live nearby or want an easy half-day trip.

One of the nicest things about this place is that it’s completely free. The park is maintained by Weili Machinery, a private company, and they open this several-thousand-square-meter green space to the public at no cost. In Taiwan, where many flower attractions charge entrance fees, that feels especially generous.

It’s located close to the Houli Science Park and not far from the Houli interchange, so it’s very easy to reach. The paths inside are wide and flat — stroller-friendly and wheelchair-friendly — which makes it comfortable for families and elderly visitors.

The park was carefully designed with different varieties of cherry blossoms so the blooming season lasts longer, usually from early February to mid-March. 

Because they bloom at slightly different times, you still have a good chance of seeing something beautiful even if you don’t hit the exact peak week.

If you plan to visit, early morning is probably the most peaceful time. Sunset is also beautiful, with warm golden light on the petals. And because blooming times can shift slightly every year due to weather, it’s always a good idea to check recent photos online before going.

After visiting, you can easily turn it into a small day trip — Tai’an Railway Cultural Park, Yue Mei Sugar Factory for traditional popsicles, Lihpao Outlet Mall, or even cycling on the Houfeng Bikeway are all nearby.

Overall, it’s not a huge place, but it’s well maintained, easy to access, free, and very family-friendly.

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Shiyun Temple Trip - Shitan, Miaoli Cherry Blossoms

Travel Date: 2026/02/15

The weather was absolutely beautiful, and with a week-long holiday just beginning, it would have been a pity to stay at home. The sunshine was warm but gentle, the sky was clear, and the air felt fresh — the kind of day that almost invites you to go somewhere.

We decided to visit a temple in Shitan, about an hour’s drive from our home. The journey itself was already a treat. Along the way, we started spotting cherry blossoms here and there — small hints of pink scattered across the hills. But once we arrived, we were amazed. There were so many trees in full bloom, covered in soft pink flowers. It felt like stepping into a spring painting.

The temple, surrounded by mountains and blossoms, looked especially peaceful that day. With the flowers gently swaying in the breeze and the bright blue sky above, it was the perfect way to begin our holiday.

Xieyun Temple (協雲宮)

Xieyun Temple is located on the Bajiaodong mountain range at the border of Shitan and Gongguan. Built along the mountainside at an elevation of over 700 meters, it's a temple that integrates both Buddhist and Taoist traditions. The main deity worshipped here is Guanyin (the Bodhisattva of Compassion).

According to local elders, legend says that water once naturally flowed from a rock wall at this site, gradually forming a pond. One day, an elderly woman passed by. Seeing the clear water, she drank from it to quench her thirst. She was also suffering from painful sores on her feet, so she washed them in the water. That night, Guanyin appeared to her in a dream. When she woke the next morning, her sores had miraculously healed. News of this miracle quickly spread, and believers flocked to the site. People then decided to build a small thatched shrine called “Guanyin Pavilion,” which later became the predecessor of Xieyun Temple. This occurred in the second year of the Guangxu reign (1876).

Xieyun Temple sits beside Bajiaodong Mountain, which is one of the scenic spots of the “Three-Tiered Green Terraces” (San Tai Die Cui), one of the Eight Scenic Views of Miaoli. Its location is elevated and offers magnificent scenery. Under a clear blue sky, one can gaze far into the distance: layers of green mountains and competing peaks stretch across the horizon. The twelve townships of Miaoli can be seen at a glance. In autumn and winter, clouds and mist swirl around the mountains, creating an atmosphere described as, “Deep in the clouds, one knows not where — only within these mountains.” Poets, scholars, and those concerned with the fate of their country all find special inspiration here.

The temple grounds are planted with azaleas, cherry blossoms, plum blossoms, poinsettias, and other seasonal flowers. In every season — spring, summer, autumn, and winter — visitors can come up the mountain to admire different kinds of blooms, each offering its own beautiful scenery.

A road beside the temple allows both people and vehicles to reach another temple, Dayuanjue Temple. One downhill road toward Gongguan leads to Guanyin Temple, while another road toward Shitan leads into Shitan Township.

It's also said that about a hundred years ago, a woman passing by the present site of Xieyun Temple suddenly suffered severe abdominal pain. In desperation, she drank from a clear spring in a nearby hollow. Unexpectedly, the pain stopped. Later, she returned with offerings to burn incense and give thanks for the healing water. The story spread from one person to another, and eventually local elders suggested building a temple together. It was completed in the eighth year of the Guangxu reign (1882), and Xieyun Temple became a place where people worshipped and collected sacred spring water.

A man named Peng Shengbo later moved the deities worshipped in his home — the Three Benevolent Lords and Koxinga (Zheng Chenggong), the Holy King who opened up Taiwan — to this temple. After Taiwan’s retrocession, the temple underwent two renovations and now stands in impressive form.

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Exploring Miaoli: Cherry Blossoms, Waterfalls & Unexpected Delays

Travel Date: 2025/03/01

First things first, don’t be surprised by the cherry blossoms! This trip happened at the beginning of March, even though I’m only writing about it now. It took a while to put everything together, but here it is!

The past few weeks have been crazy. We all got sick, and this time, it wasn’t just a simple cough that lasted a few days. We had high fevers, followed by unusually low temperatures, and the worst part for me? I partially lost my hearing. For a few days, I could barely hear anything... not even my own voice. Luckily, I’m finally getting better. But as if that wasn’t enough, we have other challenges to deal with... 

Another reason why this blog post (and video) took so long? I had to switch to a new video editor after using the same one for two years. The new one feels way too advanced, and I’m still getting used to it. On top of that, I had several partially edited videos that I couldn’t finish in my old editor, so I had to start from scratch.

Chasing Cherry Blossoms in Nanzhuang

 The cherry blossoms were in Nanzhuang, but despite it being early March, most of the trees in the mountains had already finished blooming. Only a few bright pink ones were still holding on. We also visited an aboriginal village and then made our way to the Valley of the Gods Waterfall.

We’ve been to this waterfall before, but since we were in the area, we decided to stop by again. There’s a parking lot and even some food stalls at the entrance. The trail down is short and easy to walk, so no worries—it only takes a little while to reach the viewing area. While you can’t access the water itself, you get a great view of the waterfall from a suspension bridge.

We also grabbed a meal there, but honestly, the food was pretty plain—except for the sausage, which was by far the best part!

A Scenic Drive to Xiangtian Lake Tribe

After our waterfall stop, we hit the road again, heading toward Xiangtian Lake Tribe, about a 30-minute drive away. The weather was absolutely perfect—sunny and pleasantly warm, which was rare in recent days.

Xiangtian Lake was much busier than our previous stops, with lots of people walking around. Most visitors park and take the trail around the lake, but since we’ve done that before, we decided to follow the road around it instead. The road is narrow but manageable, even for cars, as there was a nearby camping area packed with people.

Speaking of camping—I still don’t really get the appeal. It always seems way louder than just sleeping at home! But I guess a lot of people enjoy it.

After driving around the lake, we returned to the parking lot for a short walk. This area had a lot more going on compared to our earlier stops. There were plenty of food stalls, and the tea eggs were definitely a highlight. The guy selling them was a peeling master—it took him just a second to peel an egg, while I always struggle and end up breaking them. Actually, older eggs are much easier to peel, so if you’re making tea eggs, check out my recipe and don’t use fresh eggs—they’re a nightmare to peel!

We walked around for a bit, and I think if we had come in mid-February, there would have been even more cherry blossoms. Still, the area was beautiful and peaceful, and I definitely recommend visiting if you’re ever in Miaoli.

A Perfect End to the Day

By afternoon, the sun in the mountains was already fading, and we started heading home. On our way back, we spotted several wild monkeys just chilling in the trees, completely unbothered by passing cars and scooters.

When we passed through Nanzhuang, it was really busy, but we didn’t stop since we’ve been there so many times already. Honestly, I’m starting to feel like I’ve seen all of Taiwan!

That’s it for this trip! If you’re into nature, waterfalls, and peaceful walks, Miaoli is definitely worth a visit. Stay tuned for more adventures, and let’s see where the road takes us next!

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When Hsinchu Turns Pink: Taiwan’s Stunning Cherry Blossom Season

Travel Date: 2025/03/02

Because of my husband's work, we haven’t had time to go out on weekends. Even though it’s been nearly a month since we came back from Poland, this was our first time going out sightseeing. Finally, we decided to take a trip on March 1st, but when we arrived in the mountains of Miaoli, the cherry trees had already lost their blossoms.

A year without cherry blossoms feels like a year wasted, so the next day, we hopped on our scooter and rode up the mountains again—this time to Hsinchu. We passed by Beipu, and the road leading to the cherry farm was beautiful, with mountain views and even some cherry trees along the way.

I would recommend taking a scooter, as the mountain roads are quite narrow, and encountering oncoming cars can be challenging. There was a traffic jam well before the entrance to the farm because the road only allows one-way traffic for cars. If you don’t arrive early, you may struggle to find parking and end up waiting in the car for a long time.

The road is steep, so parking at a distance and climbing up would still be quite far. Once you arrive, you still have to climb several levels to reach the best viewpoints, so unless you’re in great shape, it can be quite tough.

If you're reading this soon after publication, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom just two days ago (March 2), so you still have a chance to see them before the season ends!

The entrance fee to Shan Shang Ren Jia is 200 NT per person and cannot be exchanged for anything. However, we later noticed that the ticket allows you to participate in a lottery. With the number of visitors, though, you’d have to be very lucky to win. And what’s the prize? A stay at their accommodation—only 20 winners in total.

Inside, we enjoyed plenty of beautifully pink cherry trees. The trees are planted on different levels and surrounded by tea bushes. There’s a restaurant and a few resting areas, though the prices seemed quite high—220 NT for tea felt a bit extreme to me.

The area is quite large, so you can easily spend two hours walking around. It’s located high in the mountains, and in one of the gift shop photos, we even saw a picture of the area covered in snow!

Shan Shang Ren Jia sits at an altitude of 1,200 meters and covers 5 hectares. It’s close to the Sanshan National Scenic Area and is surrounded by towering Yoshino cedars. Nearby, farmers grow peaches, plums, persimmons, and cold-resistant organic vegetables. Sometimes, you can even see a rolling sea of clouds in the distance, making the scenery truly breathtaking.

The weather was absolutely beautiful when we arrived, with plenty of sunshine. We got there quite early, around 11 AM, but by noon, the sun started hiding behind the clouds. After a long period of cool weather in Taiwan, it suddenly felt super hot—and when we checked the temperature, it was 28°C!

Most of the trees had bright pink flowers, but there was also a large white cherry tree and some dark pink ones. The darker cherry blossoms seemed to be the first to bloom and the first to finish their season. There were a lot of people, so taking photos with just the trees in the background was quite difficult.

We also saw several birds. Besides ducks and chickens, there were peacocks and parrots as well!

Since there are many stairs and slopes, walking around can be tiring for older visitors. Overall, it was an amazing place to visit. When we left around 1 PM, there were still many cars waiting to enter. I definitely recommend arriving before noon when the sunshine is at its best.

On the way back, we stopped in Beipu to find lunch—crystal dumplings, noodles, and luwei. Beipu was quite packed with people, but it was also filled with Hakka foods, many of which don’t look like the typical street food you’d find outside of Hakka towns. That being said, Hakka food is usually really tasty!

That’s all for this trip! I hope you enjoyed reading about our adventure. See you in the next post!

Address: 311-41新竹縣五峰鄉大隘村23鄰468-5號

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