Taipei City government’s tourism department is recommending that visitors soak in hot springs, pick strawberries and view flowers as alternatives to more traditional Chinese New Year activities.
This year Taiwanese people have six days off for the Lunar New Year holiday. The tourism department suggests taking a walk in the Beitou area, which is known as “the back garden of Taipei”. Besides enjoying the cherry blossoms at the Anguo Shrine, people can pick oranges at the nearby orange orchards. People can also choose to soak in the local hot springs and enjoy the scenery at Datun Mountain.
Tourism official Wang Shi-jia also recommends taking the cable car to Maokong in Taipei's Muzha area for some tea up in the mountains. Another choice is to go strawberry picking at the Bishan Temple in Neihu. In addition, the flower blooming season has begun on Yangming Mountain. The tourism department is inviting both locals and visitors to take the time to get out and look at Taipei from new perspectives during the extended New Year's break.