Though the weather in Taipei is still chilly, the flowers which have been budding throughout the winter open up in February and bring a message from the Goddess of Spring. The blossom season at Yangmingshan, a mountain park in the suburbs of Taipei, lasts from mid-February to early April. Plums, cherry and peach blossoms form the main part of this floral symphony, with azaleas and camellias as accompaniment.
Yangmingshan, originally called "Grass Mountain" was known as early as 1684 during the reign of Emperor Kang Hsi as a source of sulfur, which abounds in the hot springs in the area. As nearby Peitou was opened up by the Japanese, a mining expert, Yamamoto Yoshinobu, started to buy up land in the Yangmingshan area, and invited landscape gardener Sakakuchi Sonichi to design a blueprint for the Yangmingshan Park.
It was given its present name in 1950, in honor of the Ming Dynasty scholar Wang Yang-ming who was noted for his philosophy that knowledge and action are of equal importance. From then on, the government's systematic management coupled with several construction projects, enabled the forest park to reach its present status.
Traveling from Shihlin along the Yang Teh Boulevard, travelers will notice that elegantly constructed summer residences dot the hillside, until the Yung Ming Temple, a major research center for Buddhism, is reached. Other landmarks on the route are the Pai Yung (White Cloud) Orchid Villa, an orchid garden which is also a renowned scenic spot, and the College of Chinese Culture at Shantzehou.
It takes about half an hour to reach the Chung Cheng Park, which is the introduction to Yangmingshan Park proper, covering an area of 3.7 hectares. As well as mountain springs, lotus-filled fishponds, a swimming pool and tennis court, the park contains Yangming Lake, with its white geese, and a public hot springs bath. To the northeast of the park is the Chungshan Hall, built to mark the centenary of the birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founding father of the Republic of China.
It takes about half an hour to walk from the Yangmingshan bus station to the park. With an area of 46 hectares, the park is the largest of its kind in Taiwan, and combines beautiful natural and man-made attractions.
The first thing that comes into view as one enters the park is a small waterfall crossed by a red arched bridge. A stone tablet engraved with Wang Yang-ming's calligraphy reading "Shan Shuei Shien Chin" (Leisure among the mountains and waters) is nearby, while a plum garden containing some 100 trees lies to the left.
Higher up is a large pond with a fountain, which casts a rainbow when the sun shines. A memorial tablet to commemorate the donation of the land for the park by the Lee brothers, Chien-shin and Chien-ho, has been erected nearby, along with a statue of Wang Yang-ming. A camellia garden containing a Ming Chih Pavilion housing a bronze bust of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, is surrounded by plum-shaped ponds, stone tables and benches, while to the right lies the park's service center.
The central feature of the park is the two-story Chinese-style building dedicated by an overseas Chinese from Japan, Lee Chin-far in 1971 to commemorate the 1911 revolution and the founding of the Republic of China. In the downstairs dining room, the walls are decorated with historical paintings of the revolution, while private rooms are upstairs. From the second floor of the building, a panoramic view of the whole of the Taipei basin can be obtained, stretching across rice fields and farms beyond the city of Taipei to Kuanyin (Goddess of Mercy) mountain on the banks of the Tamsui River. In front of the building are an ornate flower clock and fountains.
The quiet road leading from Yangmingshan Park to Peitou is flanked by mountains on one side and a steep valley on the other. There are two pavilions by the roadside, from which views of the College of Chinese Culture, the Lung Feng (dragon-phoenix) valley, Huang Chi (sulfur creek) hot spring and Sha Mao (gauze hat) mountain can be obtained.
Still farther ahead are the large Yangming waterfall, often illuminated on sunny days by a cascades of light shining through crevices in huge rocks and cliffs, and adorned with many pavilions. Often, a moist gray mist envelops the scene, providing an atmosphere of restfulness for the weary traveler.
A 40-meter long steel arbor walkway leading to the waterfall ends with pavilions and two arched bridges. Stone benches have been installed to enable visitors to enjoy the panorama of Taipei. The Yangming waterfall and the Tatun fall below it converge and leap off into the valley. At the head of the valley, the route is lined with fountains, until an arch inscribed with the words Yangming Park marks the end of the journey.
Statistics show that more than one million tourists visited Yangmingshan during the flower season this year, while the number reaches 90,000 a day during peak periods. This shows that the people's living standards have been improved, enabling them to enjoy their leisure outdoors.
[Picture Caption]
The ornate flower clock (opposite), and a statue of Wang Yang-ming, the great Ming dynasty scholar (above) at Yangmingshan.
Azaleas (2) blossoming by the booths (1) help to create an ideal environment for tourists. A large crowd of visitors (3), and (4) the Tatun waterfall.
From left: Cherry blossoms herald the start of the flower season at Yangmingshan lasting from mid-February to early April. Water running through huge rocks. Chungshan Hall, built to mark the centenary of the birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founding father of the Republic of China. Azaleas accompany the floral symphony.
Children (above) and adults alike enjoy the beauty of nature at Yangmingshan.
the great Ming dynasty scholar （above） at Yangmingshan.
blossoming by the booths.
Cherry blossoms herald the start of the flower season at Yangmingshan lasting from mid-February to early April.
Water running through huge rocks.
Chungshan Hall, built to mark the centenary of the birthday of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, founding father of the Republic of China.
Azaleas accompany the floral symphony.
Children （above） and adults alike enjoy the beauty of nature at Yangmingshan.
Children （above） and adults alike enjoy the beauty of nature at Yangmingshan.
Children （above） and adults alike enjoy the beauty of nature at Yangmingshan.
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