On May 1, Nantou County Secretary-General Hong Ruizhi hosted a press conference for the Hakka Tung Blossom Festival, announcing four themed mini tour routes: “Putian Tung Blossom Celebration,” “Hospitable Guoxing! HAKKA Tung Blossom Mini Tour,” “Tung Blossom Adventure at Songboling,” and “Tung Blossom Fun at Lianhuachi.” The tours invite the public to explore hidden corners of Hakka villages, admire blooming tung trees, and savor authentic Hakka cuisine. Mingjian Township Chief Chen Hanli and Guoxing Township Chief Qiu Meiling were also present to promote the tours.
Qiu Meiling shared that the “Hospitable Guoxing! HAKKA Tung Blossom Mini Tour” will be held on May 12, 19, and 26, with 30 free spots available per session. Guided by local experts, participants will start from Guoxing Biyun Temple, stroll along the tung blossom trail, and visit Xinfeng Farm for a hands-on Hakka rice delicacy DIY experience.
Chen Hanli introduced the “Tung Blossom Adventure at Songboling”, which will have three sessions on May 26. Community volunteers will guide visitors to admire the tung blossoms, teach them to sing Hakka folk songs, offer tea village tours, and serve lovingly prepared Hakka dishes made by local community mothers — promising an unforgettable, in-depth experience of Songboling.
In addition, the “Putian Tung Blossom Celebration” will be held on May 19 at the Xiaopu Community Hakka Cultural Park in Puli Township. The event features a thousand-person ever-changing tung blossom mini tour and a group DIY session for making Niu Wenshui (a traditional Hakka snack).
As the grand finale, Yuchi Township Office will host “Tung Blossom Fun at Lianhuachi” on May 10. Visitors can enjoy an ecological guided tour of Lianhuachi, browse local markets, and watch unplugged performances by local groups celebrating Hakka culture through music.
Hong Ruizhi explained that tung oil, extracted from tung tree seeds, was once an important economic resource used for waterproofing and anti-corrosion. Every April and May, tung blossoms bloom like white snowflakes dancing in the wind, attracting visitors from across the country to Hakka villages. He expressed gratitude to the Hakka Affairs Council for their support and guidance, making it possible to collaborate with township offices to offer these four special tung blossom mini tour routes. For event details, visit the “Nantou County Hakka Tung Blossom Festival” Facebook page.
