[TAIWAN TRAVEL 9] PLAY! TAIPEI 台北 2016: YANG MING SHAN 陽明山, ZHUZHIHU 竹子湖, CALLA LILY FESTIVAL 竹子湖海芋季

This post starts with my first destination upon arriving in TAIPEI from Taichung.

YANG MING SHAN ( YMS)

It was my first time up YMS and I have to say I was in love. Still am.

An escapade from the city area? YMS is the heaven on earth to be. Enjoy breathe of fresh air and clear skies while still being in near proximity to Taipei City. Hit the trails and admire the flowers in the park.

I caught a bus at Taipei Main Station- 260. Exit from 北二门 ( bei er men) and right in front is a red stipped tentage. Frequency is fast and take the bus all the way to Yang Ming Shan. I first alight at the YMS police station for the Hua Zhong 花钟 ( Flower Clock).

When I stepped out of the mini bus, it was so foggy I couldn't see anything in front of me and for a moment, I thought I would be lost among the fog forever. Thankfully as I walked on I saw people, I know, I never experienced a thick fog that's why.

The high altitude and cold temperature, esp after raining definitely encourages the formation.

En-route to this place near the Garden Clock known as 辛亥光复楼 .

The locals told me to just head up the flights of steps to take a look and so I did.

There really was nothing fascinating about the building ( especially when it's covered in fog). Besides no one could not enter 2nd level and 1st level is just a place selling some food, souvenirs what-not.

Walk further down east and follow the signage to the 王阳明铜像 ( Yang Ming Founder's statue). Now isn't this more interesting? This park was set up to commemorate scholar Wang Yang Ming.

Why Zhuzhihu?

Zhuzhihu is uniquely home to the callalilies aka 海芋and is a farming village coagulated of lots of different farms. The rich fertile land, surrounded by volcanoes and dams, makes it suitable for farming and growth of flora.

竹子湖站 is actually the main station from which most of the calla lily farms are and where most visitors stopped by. I, however dropped off 1 stop earlier at and alight at 竹子湖派出所. From the map it mentioned a 15 mins walk so I was thinking no problem. However, the journey proves to be slightly longer. Still it was bearable if not for the impeding rain. It's a peaceful walk actually, just follow the main road ( away from the cars of course).

Calla lily Festival 竹子湖海芋季

What's unique is the Calla Lily Festival which runs yearly for one month. This year, I was lucky to be there in coincide with the festival which ran from 18th March to 17th April. This flower festival is definitely a highlight you should catch!

There were many festivities held in place, like unique props spread among the different fields etc. but it was not easy to search for them all due to the massive size of the farm which really measures about 2 times of Vivocity approximately. The rain didn't help much either.

The map below shows the outline and location of the various farms in Zhuzhihu and was useful for my trip. The link to this and their official FB Page, I have links right at the bottom of the page.

How?

To proceed straight to the gardens such as Zhuzhihu 竹子湖, alight/from YMS Bus Stop, take/change to Red 8 or Red 9 or 131. These 3 buses are available at the nearest bus stop outside 花钟 along the main road. Just ask the security guard or any locals if you don't know where exactly from 花钟 you have to take these mini buses .
This bus stop was known as the Yangming Park Visitor Service Centre.

What you will see from the bus stop on the left.

Donghu and Xiahu

The lake in entire is divided into 3 portions: Donghu 东湖, Xiahu 下湖 and Dinghu 顶湖. Personally I only managed to cover Donghu and Xiahu— which was a mean feat on it's own, considering the amount of walking distance covered.

So 1 boarded mini 8 and alighted at the 竹子湖派出所 bus stop. This place will lead you straight to the Donghu part of the lake. Alighting at this stop, I was pretty apprehensive ( because only 3 person out of the whole full busload alighted!) but I trusted the map and walked some few meters before spotting the signage for 老湖田— one of the dozens of calla lily farms.

That turned out to be the best decision—ever.

The bus I hopped on was full and I later learnt everyone mostly alight at the next stop— 竹子湖站 instead. That's the part leading to Xiahu and where most farms are amassed. But, that does not necessary translates to where the prettiest calla lilies are. Also as I learnt the higher up the farm the more expensive? Maybe not for all, but this applies especially for this place named 苗榜花园 which charges way higher and do not allow visitors to step in at all, with the main barricade at the doors. There are many fields near the 竹子湖站 bus stop which offers cheap rates to pluck the lilies.

老湖田 Lao Tian Hu

Prior, I had no idea that the festival was made up of all the scattered farms growing calla lilies combined into one and each farm needs a fee for entry. However since I was there, I had to go into the lily fields right? What's a few coins compared to the distances I have traveled?

The fees were 500NT for entry and 1000 NT for plucking the calla lilies. Actually theirs is slightly on the high side as the farms up in Xiahu charges 500NT with lilies plucking.

However! Not to be bias, but 老湖田's lilies were the best looking and freshest. Which was true after later heading to the Xiahu, many other farm's lilies do not look all that pretty. Perhaps the heavy rain had damaged their radiance.

In addition, 老湖田 was on dry land, which means to step in, you don't have to wear boots. Perhaps that's why their charges are higher. I had only paid an entry fee but the very kind lady boss also gave me some really fresh stalks of calla lilies when I was about to leave after taking numerous selfies! ( which other customers before me who left was given to) I was astonished and of course felt bad since I can't possibly flew the flowers back. But she had kindly insisted despite that and I was indeed eternally grateful.

-The beauty of traveling is the people you met and the memories created- 浓浓的人情味

Welcome in!

Scroll for the beautiful lilies in their farm!!

Here's inside the farm!

So this is the very kind and generous lady boss who offered me these lovely stalks!!

What that translates to? More selfies!!

To Xiahu

so after exiting the farm, instead of waiting around for the bus to Xiahu, I took the walking option.

From the map it looks endurable and not too far but nevertheless took me about 15 minutes. You have to walk alongside the main road, which is not too narrow and thus still relatively safe.

Some sights along the walk path.

Roads adorning with pictures of lilies.

Fog is everywhere.

Arrived!

Be it on a bus or walking, this slope gradually leads to a much crowded view which simply translate to: Xiahu finally!

If you can see below, from afar on the right, it's actually the bus stop for 竹子湖站 (zhuzihu zhan), with many people around. There!

Photos of other calla lily farms at the Xiahu which is the main site of 竹子湖.

The sky is so foggy! Especially after a heavy rain.

The frogs below are the only special decorations I have spotted for in setting for the Callalily festival

See, it's written here NT$50 for admission to take photos.

Fog-gy fog

To go back to Taipei town area, take Bus 260 from 竹子湖站 (Zhuzihu Zhan) and congrats! You have done it.
Going to YMS, many also hire pick-up chartering services as it can be quite tough with all these bus changings for elderly. With a pick-up service you may also be able to touch on other parts of Yang Ming Shan such as Xiaoyoukeng 小油坑 within a day. Using public transport however, already it's taxing after 1 attraction.
So it really depends on your pace and how you like your tour to be.