TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Alishan Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off on March 10.

The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency’s Chiayi Branch said that cold fronts delayed the flowering of cherry blossoms this spring. The upside is the delayed start allowed cherry trees to store more nutrients, leading to a more colorful flowering, per UDN.

There are 31 varieties of cherry trees in Alishan National Forest Recreation Area according to park officials. Currently, about 50% of the most common varieties, mountain cherry, and Oshima cherry, are in bloom. 

Due to the large number of cherry varieties, cherry blossoms are expected to continuously bloom during the month-long flowering season. They will peak in mid-to-late March.

According to the Chiayi Branch, this year’s cherry blossom season is the first in 15 years to coincide with the full reopening of Alishan Forestry Railway. Pop-ups and circus-type art performances will be conducted along the railway route.

Just 150 train tickets are available for the inaugural train. Registration for seats will begin on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. on the official Facebook page of Alishan National Forest Recreation Area.

The Alishan Forest Railway Garage Park also debuted the Alishan 2488m brand, featuring limited edition wooden toys and other items. Due to Alishan’s high elevation, cherry blossoms typically appear later than in other low-lying or plains areas around Taiwan, providing one last chance to behold the beauty of nature.