Photographs of flowers and tree blossoms taken on countryside walks in Taiwan by Chao Ling-chi (趙令級) have taken users of the app Line by storm, with many netizens saying that they did not know such beautiful scenery could be seen in Taiwan.
Chao said his collection of photographs — gathered over five years — is aimed at showing Taiwanese the nation’s natural beauty, proving people do not have to go abroad to see maple trees or forests of Japanese cherry trees.
Chao’s comments refer to a so-called “sakura craze” in recent years prompting Taiwanese to visit Japan and Korea to photograph cherry blossoms.
Screengrab from Line by Chen Feng-li, Taipei Times
Among Chao’s collection are photographs of Japanese cherry trees on the grounds of the Wanda Electric Plant in Nantou County’s Renai Township (仁愛); golden crumpet trees around Liusing Temple in Chiayi County’s Singang Township (新港); cotton trees around Lingzailiao (苓仔寮) in Tainan’s Jiangjun District (將軍); tung oil trees in Chiayi County’s Minsyong Township (民雄) and golden shower trees on Taichung’s Singda Road.
However, Nantou County netizens said the flowers that visitors are likely to see are not as beautiful as those in the photographs, as blossoms are dependent on climate and rainfall.
Some netizens said the golden crumpet trees this year have not fully bloomed, while the tung oil tree blossoms came late.
Screengrab from Line by Chen Feng-li, Taipei Times
Other netizens said that in light of such unpredictably, it was all the more precious that Chao’s photographs captured the nation’s beauty in full bloom.
Screengrab from Line by Chen Feng-li, Taipei Times
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