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Situated 10 miles north of central Taipei City, lies the Yangmingshan National Park. Head for Zhuzihu, which is home to Taiwan's largest cultivation of Calla Lilies.
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Calla Lily Plantation is a series of farms/gardens either side of the road. Zhuzihu is not really a village, more a collection of flower stalls, nurseries and a few hotels surrounded by mountains. As you approach Zhuzihu (from Yangmingshuwu/Beitou) start your trip from the bridge (bus stop). Head left down the lane past the cafe/stall and walk down the valley. If you plan your trip on a quiet day, the only sound will be from the birds and the water rushing over the rocks. In the distance you can see the towering blocks of Beitou and to the right the Datun mountain. As you walk deeper into the valley, Datun seems to grower larger and larger. To the right of the path, you can reach out and touch the lilies growing in the water. Across the stream, more lilies are growing on tiers on the side of the mountain.
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- Cross the stream and follow the path to the right and explore the greenhouses and potting sheds and a variety of shrubs and vegetables growing in the mountain breeze. This area of the plantation is probably the most scenic and peaceful.
- Walk back upto the bridge and turn left to discover the 'commercial heart' of the plantation.
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| On the left a variety of garden centres line the road, mingled with stalls selling fruit and vegetables. Street sellers offer samples of delicious fruit grown on the nearby mountains. On the right, lies the bulk of the plantation. Just pause for a few minutes to take in this view, before wandering amongst the lily fields. |
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| Each field is run by a separate 'farmer'. You can walk around each field, pick your own lilies, (for around 50 TWD for 10 stems), and even have them sprayed in a colour of our choice, if you are tied of white! |
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| Walk to the right of this area and rest for awhile under the trees by the stream. If its a sunny day, this is a cool area to relax. Being a mountain region, try to avoid days when its misty or raining. |
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| Through the centre of this section, follow the path up the small hill and you arrive at the Miau-Bang Garden centre. Besides lilies, they grow ornamental cabbages which sit side by side each other in the fields. With a large cafe and rest area, Miau-Bang has stunning views over the entire plantation. |
- Getting there:
- MRT: Take MRT to Beitou - Danshui line (Blue), leave by exit 2 and catch S2 mini bus, which stops at in the centre of the plantation.
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