Of the millions of calla lilies produced in Taiwan each year, more than half grow on farms near Bamboo Lake (Zhuzihu,
Traffic problems aside, it's hard to imagine a better setting for wholesome family entertainment so close to Taipei. Most come to pick bunches of the long-stemmed calla lilies, a relative of the taro that thrives in the cooler mountain climate. Others come to watch their children look for tadpoles in the muddy furrows or chase butterflies through the fields.
"It's like another world," said Hung Yi-wen (
"It's so romantic," sighed Cindy Chen, a college student who was visiting for the first time. She came to escape the bustle of the city and breathe the mountain air. This year's calla lily festival winds up this weekend and offers a variety of activities, including a photography contest, guided ecological tours and mini concerts.
Last year the event drew half a million visitors, according to the Beitou Farmer's Association and Taipei City government. Organizers expect a similar number to attend this year.
"We have so many visitors I can't even count them," said Mrs. Cheng , who runs the Trail Calla Lily Garden (
PHOTOS: RON BROWNLOW, TAIPEI TIMES
Like most establishments, Cheng's serves drinks on a shady patio and charges NT$100 per person for entry. Here, the fee allows visitors to pick a bunch of 10 flowers. Cheng also sells individual flowers for NT$10 from a roadside stand.
The government encourages visitors to take public transportation up the mountain during the calla lily festival. Although several buses stop near Zhuzihu Road, a circular route that connects the calla lily farms, only the Small No. 9 (
Nestled between Datun (
Outside Mau-bang Garden (
"We grow about 400,000 flowers a year," Gao said. To his right, a television played an instructional video on how to pick calla lilies. Gao said a flower picked in cooler weather can last up to 20 days at home. Trim the stalk every day and put it in a vase filled with a few ice cubes and several centimeters of water.
Some of the farms remain open after the official end of cally lily season. Goa said Mau-bang Garden closes in May and reopens from July to September for sunflower season.
To get there take the MRT to Beitou Station and transfer to the Small 9 bus.
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