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.

Address:

732台南市白河區關仔嶺溫泉區紅葉公園

After enduring several cold days with temperatures dropping to 6-7 degrees at night, the sun has finally returned along with warmer weather. I've been in Taiwan for nearly 4 years now, and I must admit that I struggle with the winter weather here. To make matters worse, our heater broke on the first day of the cold wave (crying...). Although our air-conditioner has a heating system, it doesn't work well in our room, so only the living room provides any warmth. The year has just begun, and we've already had a few things break. It doesn't seem like a promising start to the year. The COVID-19 situation in Taiwan is also getting more serious, especially with the recent cases of doctors and nurses contracting the virus. It has already been a year since I last visited Poland, and I don't think I'll be able to go back this year either. We also don't go out much in Taiwan, mostly exploring countryside areas with very few people. Lately, it has become a bit boring. Before coming to Meishan, I checked for some news about the plum blossoms. All the news articles showed one picture that made it seem like there were already a lot of flowers in bloom. However, the reality is quite different. Very few trees were actually blooming, with 99% of them only having buds. I feel a little disappointed, similar to my experience at MeiLing Scenic Area a few days ago. Perhaps I will come back here in 2-3 weeks to see the trees in full bloom. The area seems quite large and should be really beautiful then. Right now, it's not really worth visiting.

Meishan Park plum blooming in Chiayi, Taiwan

Meishan Park (梅山公園)

Meishan Park is located in the urban area of Meishan Township, Chiayi. It covers an area of about 6 hectares and was once known as one of the eight scenic spots in Chiayi. The park was first developed during the Japanese occupation when the first plum trees were planted here. Over the years, the number of plum trees has grown to 3,000. Meishan Park is built on a hillside and features a variety of flowers and trees, including plum trees, peaches, plums, peonies, rhododendrons, cherry blossoms, and Christmas red. There are also children's recreation areas, flower terraces, and trails, making it the top scenic spot in the Jianan area today and the ideal place for people to relax. The park offers a wide range of plum products, preserves, and specialty snacks, making it a popular space for sports and leisure activities for the local community. There is also a memorial in the park to commemorate the seventy-four national army soldiers who tragically lost their lives due to natural disasters. From the monument, you can continue walking to the highest point called "Jieshou Pavilion," where there are additional shops selling snacks, plum products, and various preserves.