From April to May each year, white tung blossoms light up treetops across Taiwan, creating a picturesque scene known as "May Snow." In mountain areas where ecological restoration has been successful, visitors can also enjoy the enchanting spectacle of fireflies dancing in the night. With its rich network of forest trails and diverse ecological landscapes, Dongshi Forest Garden is my top choice in Taichung for flower viewing and firefly watching.
Beyond its captivating natural beauty, Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way, which resembles a green tunnel, the Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park showcasing traditional Hakka culture, and the Dongshi Forestry Culture Park preserving the history of the forestry industry, are unique attractions that I never tire of visiting.
Contents
◦ Taichung Travel Guide
01｜Transportation in Taichung
🚄 Taiwan High Speed Rail
🚗 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour from Taipei
🛵 Taichung Scooter Rental - Taichung Station Pickup
🛵 Taichung Scooter Rental - Taichung High Speed Rail Station Pickup
02｜Popular Attractions in Taichung
🎫 Lihpao Land Ticket in Taichung
🎫 National Museum of Natural Science Ticket and Combo Ticket
🎫 Carton King Creative Park Ticket in Taichung
🎫 Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket
🎫 Lavender Cottage Ticket in Taichung
🎫 Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket in Taichung
03｜Things To Do in Taichung
🚌 Gaomei Wetland, Rainbow Village and Miyahara Day Tour from Taichung
🚌 Sun Moon Lake & Cingjing Farm Day Tour
💆🏻♀️ Royal Thai Massage in Taichung
◦ The History of Dongshi
In its early days, Dongshi was primarily inhabited by the Atayal and Pazeh indigenous peoples. Han Chinese immigrants, predominantly Hakka, began settling in the area during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, gradually forming communities. At that time, Dongshi was a site for woodcutters to fell timber, earning it the name Banliao, meaning "woodworkers' quarters." Over time, Banliao evolved into Dongshijiao, with two prevailing explanations for the name change. One suggests that it referred to this remote area east of Fengyuan from the perspective of Fengyuan residents. The other theory is that the name derived from the land’s eastward extension. During the Japanese colonial period, the term "jiao" was deemed inelegant, leading to its simplification to Dongshi, a name that remains in use today.
Dongshi's development has been closely tied to forestry. Early residents primarily engaged in logging, particularly harvesting camphor wood for shipbuilding. During the Japanese era, the development of the Basianshan and Daxueshan Forest Parks brought an influx of loggers, further driving local economic growth.
◦ Attractions in Dongshi
01｜Dongshi Forest Garden
Whenever friends ask where to see fireflies in central Taiwan, my top recommendation—without a moment’s hesitation—is Dongshi Forest Garden! This is a year-round destination filled with excitement for all ages, and from April to May, it becomes a stress-free sanctuary with an extraordinary firefly spectacle.
Every spring, visitors can stroll along a specially designed tung blossom trail in the park. The delicate petals of tung blossoms drift down like snowflakes, gently blanketing the winding paths and lush green grass—a serene and soothing sight to behold.
As dusk falls, groups of students on field trips often enter the well-planned firefly viewing trails. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere remains calm, with only the soft sound of footsteps and hushed conversations. It's truly impressive to witness the excellent leadership of the teachers and the exemplary behavior of the students.
When observing fireflies, it’s important to avoid using strong lights or flash photography. Flashlights should be covered with red cellophane to minimize disturbance to the fireflies. Dongshi Forest Garden thoughtfully provides red cellophane and rubber bands for visitors, available for self-service pickup at the center.
Dongshi Forest Garden Opening Hours: 0630-2200 No. 6-1, Shilin St., Dongshi Dist., Taichung
02｜Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park
The Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park was originally the site of the old Dongshi Train Station. After renovations, it was transformed into a space dedicated to showcasing Hakka culture. The park features a variety of artifacts related to Hakka daily life, including traditional clothing, furniture, and wood carvings. It also hosts regular exhibitions. Among the exhibitions I’ve seen, the one on indigo dyeing left a lasting impression. I was amazed to discover the intricate beauty of this traditional craft.
At this time of year, the outdoor green spaces are adorned with blooming tung blossoms, adding a touch of spring charm to the cultural park.
Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park Opening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Monday. No. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Dongshi Dist., Taichung
03｜Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way
The Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way connects Dongshi, Shigang, and Fengyuan, spanning approximately 13 kilometers. It is Taiwan’s first dedicated bike path repurposed from an abandoned railway, with the parallel railway tracks adding a unique charm to the route.
The greenery along the pathway is beautifully maintained, creating a lush and vibrant environment. This scenic route has even earned the nickname "Green Dajia River" for its verdant appeal.
04｜Dongshih Forestry Culture Park
Dongshi's deep connection to forestry is beautifully reflected in the Dongshi Forestry Culture Park. Once the site of the "Taiwan Daxueshan Forestry Co.," this location housed the largest sawmill in East Asia during the 1960s, driving prosperity in the mountainous areas of Taichung.
Today, the park is divided into a woodcarving exhibition area, a forestry exhibition area, and a lakeside trail. My favorite activity is taking an early morning stroll along the tranquil lakeside trail, when the park is still quiet. It’s the perfect time to admire the intricately crafted wood sculptures nestled among the trees.
Dongshih Forestry Culture Park Opening Hours: 0600-1800, closed on Monday and Tuesday. No. 1368, Sec. 6, Dongguan Rd., Dongshi Dist., Taichung
◦ Flying Over Taiwan
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◦ Other Areas in Taichung
➤ Taiping | The Must-See Secret Spot of Bald Cypress