{"id":6577,"date":"2025-04-02T17:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T09:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/?p=6577"},"modified":"2025-03-23T11:43:19","modified_gmt":"2025-03-23T03:43:19","slug":"dongshi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yuartheworld.com\/en\/dongshi\/","title":{"rendered":"Taichung \u25e6 Dongshi | The Season of Tung Blossoms and Firefly Spectacles has Arrived! | \n TAIWAN 368-33"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Taichung Travel Guide<\/span><\/h6>\n

01\uff5cTransportation in Taichung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude84 Taiwan High Speed Rail<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude97 Cross-city Chartered One-day Tour from Taipei<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udef5 Taichung Scooter Rental - Taichung Station Pickup<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udef5 Taichung Scooter Rental - Taichung High Speed Rail Station Pickup<\/a><\/p>\n

02\uff5cPopular Attractions in Taichung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfab Lihpao Land Ticket in Taichung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab National Museum of Natural Science Ticket and Combo Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Carton King Creative Park Ticket in Taichung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Basianshan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Lavender Cottage Ticket in Taichung<\/a>
\n\ud83c\udfab Dasyueshan National Forest Recreation Area Ticket in Taichung<\/a><\/p>\n

03\uff5cThings To Do in Taichung<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\ude8c Gaomei Wetland, Rainbow Village and Miyahara Day Tour from Taichung<\/a>
\n\ud83d\ude8c Sun Moon Lake & Cingjing Farm Day Tour<\/a>
\n\ud83d\udc86\ud83c\udffb\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Royal Thai Massage in Taichung<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25e6 The History of Dongshi<\/span><\/h6>\n

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.\nAt 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 Attractions in Dongshi<\/span><\/h6>\n
01\uff5cDongshi Forest Garden<\/h6>\n

Whenever friends ask where to see fireflies in central Taiwan, my top recommendation\u2014without a moment\u2019s hesitation\u2014is 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.<\/p>\n

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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\u2014a serene and soothing sight to behold.<\/p>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

When observing fireflies, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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Dongshi Forest Garden<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0630-2200\nNo. 6-1, Shilin St., Dongshi Dist., Taichung<\/pre>\n
02\uff5cDongshi Hakka Cultural Park<\/h6>\n
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\u2019ve seen, the one on indigo dyeing left a lasting impression. I was amazed to discover the intricate beauty of this traditional craft.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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Dongshi Hakka Cultural Park<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0900-1700, closed on Monday.\nNo. 1, Zhongshan Rd., Dongshi Dist., Taichung<\/pre>\n
03\uff5cDongfeng Bicycle Green Way<\/h6>\n
The Dongfeng Bicycle Green Way connects Dongshi, Shigang, and Fengyuan, spanning approximately 13 kilometers. It is Taiwan\u2019s first dedicated bike path repurposed from an abandoned railway, with the parallel railway tracks adding a unique charm to the route.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
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04\uff5cDongshih Forestry Culture Park<\/h6>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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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\u2019s the perfect time to admire the intricately crafted wood sculptures nestled among the trees.<\/p>\n
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Dongshih Forestry Culture Park<\/strong>\r\n\r\nOpening Hours: 0600-1800, closed on Monday and Tuesday.\nNo. 1368, Sec. 6, Dongguan Rd., Dongshi Dist., Taichung<\/pre>\n
\u25e6 Flying Over Taiwan<\/span><\/h6>\n