Blooming wisteria flowers turn Ruili into magical sea of purple

Blooming wisteria flowers turn Ruili into magical sea of purple

2026-03-11

A sea of bright purple wisteria flowers is engulfing Ruili, turning the area into a magical place to visit. The Chiayi County Government has officially kicked off the local wisteria festival, which this year is happening alongside the Taiwan Lantern Festival. But if the flowers and the vast lantern exhibition aren’t enough to convince you to head south, there are also plenty of other things to do in the county.

The wisteria festival is ushered in with the sweet melodies of “The Green Mountain” performed by Lily on the flute, merging classical and modern. Entertainer Okubo Mariko joined Chiayi County Commissioner Weng Chang-liang onstage to sing the praises of all the sights and highlights that Ruili has to offer.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
I invite everyone to come to Chiayi and relax. Chiayi is the perfect place to unwind. There are so many people who come and fall in love with Chiayi.

Chiayi County is hosting the Taiwan Lantern Festival, which has attracted huge crowds to tour its vast exhibition space. After viewing the lanterns visitors can head up the mountains to taste tea and coffee, and stop by Ruili to dive into a sea of bright wisterias.

Weng Chang-liang
Chiayi County Commissioner
So many people have come to the lantern festival, it’s packed. Some people say the exhibition is so big that their legs got all sore. So to those people, I would recommend heading to Ruili to rest after the lantern festival.

Okubo has visited Ruili to take in the wisterias for many years in a row. Her secret to enjoying the place is spending the night in Ruili to see the sunrise and head up the mountains to drink exquisite high-mountain tea and coffee.

Okubo Mariko
Entertainer
The wisteria are so full and dense, it’s so dreamy. What I like to do is finding a place to sit down and take in the blossoms.

About one third of the flowers are in bloom, meaning it will only get prettier in days to come. So, if you are looking for a colorful getaway, why not head down south to view the flowers at Ruili?

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#wisteria #blossoms #flowers #beautiful #chiayi #ruili #travel #taiwantravel

賞嘉義燈會順遊山城花海瑞里紫藤花季浪漫登場

2026-03-11

嘉義縣瑞里的紫藤花季，今天正式展開。嘉義縣長翁章梁邀請民眾在參與2026台灣燈會的同時，也走訪梅山瑞里，白天賞紫藤、夜晚逛燈會，感受春季山城的旅遊魅力。

紫藤花季的開幕活動，由長笛姐姐Lily演奏高山青，古典與創新交融，縣長翁章梁與藝人大久保麻梨子分享瑞里周邊旅遊資源與特色產業。

[[嘉義縣長翁章梁]]
“我們希望大家可以到嘉義來散心，嘉義是一個非常好的散心的地點，很多人來嘉義以後，就愛上嘉義了”

今年燈會吸引大量人潮，不少民眾說展區非常遼闊，逛到「鐵腿」。嘉義縣政府推薦，賞燈結束，到山區品茶或喝咖啡，到瑞里欣賞浪漫的紫藤花。

[[嘉義縣長翁章梁]]
“這次台灣燈會非常多的人，大爆滿，很多人說台灣燈會太寬了，走到鐵腿，事實上台灣燈會過後，真的可以到瑞里好好休息一下”

大久保麻梨子則連續多年到瑞里欣賞紫藤花，特別推薦遊客在瑞里住宿一晚，隔天看日出，再品嚐高山茶或精品咖啡。

[[藝人大久保麻梨子]]
“看到綿綿密密垂下來的紫藤花，非常浪漫，我喜歡找個地方坐下來，慢慢地欣賞看花”

目前花開大約三四成，花況愈來愈好。民眾可以把握一年一度的難得的賞花期。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Driver faces license suspension, fine for blocking ambulance

An SUV was recently caught on video blocking an ambulance from passing on National Freeway No. 3 near Zhushan. Commenters online piled on the driver, calling them selfish and demanding action. Police said they haven’t received a formal report of the incident, but the driver might face a fine of up to NT$30,000, and could have their license and vehicle registration revoked.

An ambulance—siren blaring and lights flashing—tries to make its way down the inside lane of a highway, but it’s blocked by this SUV. It tries to signal for the driver to move out of the way, but nothing works. It ends up having to change lanes itself to overtake it.

Member of public
Weighing in
If the ambulance were carrying someone in critical condition, blocking it like that would waste precious time needed to save their life.

This incident occurred in the southbound lane of National Highway No. 3 on the stretch between Zhushan and Douliu. Commenters on the video couldn’t believe how selfish the driver was.

- We’ll change the siren like this as a signal.

Another ambulance driver said that they will typically change the sound of the siren to alert drivers in front. But if the situation demands it, dashcam footage can be used as evidence.

Ambulance driver
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If the car ahead shows no sign of yielding, then you prioritize safety and maneuver around them if the adjacent lane is clear. But if they’re being intentionally malicious, then we’ll provide dashcam footage as evidence to report the driver.

Ambulances are often racing against the clock. Drivers who break traffic rules may be fined up to NT$30,000. They could also have their license revoked and vehicle registration suspended.

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Upon receiving a report, we will review the evidence. If a violation of Article 45, Paragraph 2 of the Road Traffic Act is confirmed, a citation will be issued.

Whether the driver in this case failed to yield intentionally or not, it is never OK to block an ambulance from passing. Every second is precious to the life carried inside. There’s no room for error.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Alishan bathed in color as 31 types of cherry blossom bloom

The 2026 Alishan cherry blossom season has officially begun! All 31 varieties of sakura in the park are set to bloom in succession throughout the next month. Flowers can already be spotted on the Taiwan cherry, Ryukyu bell-flower, Okame cherry, and tangshi varieties, while the highly anticipated Yoshino cherry is expected to start blooming by the end of the week. Be sure to see these mountain blossoms before they’re gone!

Actors dressed as divine beasts greet visitors to this mystical forest as they welcome the start of the 2026 Alishan cherry blossom season. Throughout the national park, delicate pink flowers have begun to dust the branches of the Taiwan and Okama cherry trees. Those hoping to see the famous Yoshino cherry blossoms will have to wait until later this week.

Tsai Hui-ying
Alishan Federation of Community Associations chair
The Yoshino cherries will start blooming around March 15 or so.

- I think Alishan is beautiful.

What makes Alishan’s cherry blossom season so magical is its length and variety. Starting in mid-March and continuing through the end of the month is time for the Yoshino cherries. Then in the first half of April, the Takasago and Kanzan varieties take over. But it has more than just sakura, too. The park also boasts primrose, magnolia, camellia, rhododendron, and wisteria.

Lee Ting-chung
Forestry Agency Chiayi branch director
Alishan has 31 varieties of cherry blossom. We also estimate that the Taiwan pleione, wisteria, magnolia, and Yushan rhododendron will all bloom at the same time during these two windows.

No matter when you visit over this next month, you’ll be greeted by a completely different, but no less vibrant landscape. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to snap a picture of the blossoms as the Alishan Forest Railway chugs by. Don’t miss your chance to head up the mountain and catch the blossoms while they last!

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Pear orchards face heavy loses due to temperature swings

Farmers are facing serious difficulties due to recent fluctuations in temperature. One pear orchard in Miaoli’s Dahu Township is struggling with false fruit sets, causing it to lose over 30% of its harvest. Because of large swings in temperature, flowers blossom but the fruit drops late or never fully develops. Farmers look at an orchard full of pear blossoms, but they may bear little to no fruit.

This 1,300-hectare pear orchard in Miaoli is in full bloom. Outsiders may find it beautiful, but farmers have little to smile about. Due to recent temperature swings, the pear trees may be flowering and the fruits may be setting, but they often never fully develop.

Tree branches are marked with yellow, red, or blue tape to indicate how many times farmers had to graft them. Grafting means attaching a small branch from one tree onto another so it can grow there and produce fruit. Some pear trees are failing to produce any fruit, even though they have been almost entirely grafted over again.

Pears are usually grafted after winter starts, with the work completed before spring. But with large temperature swings this year, the grafts haven’t been growing or pollinating properly. Normally shoots are bright green, but they turn yellow if the fruit is unhealthy.

Voice of pear farmer
Facing growing troubles
It loses the competition for nutrients and later falls off. In this case, the fruit stalk is more yellow. Normally it’s green.

Chiu Chun-yuan
Local village chief
Its roots begin to wake up when the temperature rises, but when the temperature suddenly drops, it returns to hibernation, so it loses its fruit.

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For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#pear #pearorchard #farmer #Miaoli #graft #fruit #temperature #weather #climatechange #disaster

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Team Taiwan returns from Japan after concluding WBC

Taiwan’s national baseball team touched down at Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday morning, having concluded their rounds at the World Baseball Classic. They were welcomed by Sports Minister Lee Yang as well as a legion of fans at the airport. Earlier, head coach Tseng Hao-jiu had announced that he and pitcher Chen Kuan-yu will be stepping down from the national team.

Tsai Chi-chang
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This is Tsai Chi-chang. Next, I’d like Chieh-hsien, our captain, to give us a few words on behalf of Team Taiwan.

Chen Chieh-hsien
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I’m really so happy to see so many baseball fans from Taiwan. They made Tokyo Dome their home field. It’s really not an easy feat.

Captain Chen Chieh-hsien thanked fans for their support. His teammates in the first-class cabin also appeared pleased.

They were welcomed by Minister of Sports Lee Yang upon landing. Bouquets were presented to head coach Tseng Hao-jiu and pitcher Chen Kuan-yu. The two will be stepping down from the national team.

The announcement was made by Tseng on Threads in a post that thanked his team and fans for their efforts and support over the years. Fans seemed unready for the news, considering that Tseng helped lead the team to Premier12 championship in 2024.

As soon as the team reached the lobby, they were greeted by a legion of chanting fans. They waved back in response, and silence soon followed when Captain Chen walked through.

His wife walked in front of him with their two kids in a stroller. Chen gestured to fans to keep quiet so as to not wake up his kids. No wonder it’s suddenly so quiet. Regardless, fans couldn’t contain their excitement when they were able to finally express it again.

Baseball fan
Watched WBC
They won against Korea. It’s the first time for us to win against Korea at the World Baseball Classic. We did it, at last! The team did so well. Even though we did not advance into the next round, there’s another chance in four years. Someday, we’ll win the championship. Winning the WBC championship isn’t just a dream.

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They did very well. At least we kept winning against Korea internationally. That’s the happiest of things.

No matter how the national team does, they can always count on the support from fans at home.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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Ex manager escorted from football game for cheering “go Taiwan’

Football fans were left with a bitter taste in their mouths, when they should’ve been celebrating Taiwan’s win over India at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Tuesday. Though Team Taiwan prevailed and won the match 3-1, a decision from organizers to ban cheers for Taiwan put a damper on the mood. During the game, a former national team football manager led the crowd in cheers of “Go Taiwan!” only to be asked to sit down. He refused to do so, and after several interventions he was escorted from the pitch. Organizers claimed the cheer carried a political message, but fans say it’s all just double standards, as fans for the other team were not stopped from cheering for India.

It’s Taiwan versus India at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. On the side, former national team manager Chen Kuei-jen leads the crowd to cheer “Go Taiwan!” But the excitement and sportsmanship was brought to a screeching halt, after organizers told Chen to sit down, saying that standing up was forbidden. But that rule didn’t seem to apply to the other team.

Organizers said that saying “Go Taiwan!” was a political message. After three warnings, Chen was kicked out.

Chen Kuei-jen
Former football national team manager
I’m fine. I’m OK. I’ll keep watching over our football team, to help them qualify for the World Cup.

Voice of Peter Huang
Taiwanese-Australian businessman
The moment he stood up, security personnel would order him to sit down. During the half-time break, security staff asked him to go up, and there was a bit of a shuffle. They were 100% trying to oppress Taiwan. Double standards!

Australians watching the game took it upon themselves to continue leading the cheers for Team Taiwan. Somehow, that no longer bothered organizers.

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Security is very strict, and extends to cheers and flags and even symbols referring to Taiwan. You can’t bring any of those things in. But are these rules the same for everyone? If that’s the case, and they are in place to prevent conflict, then we respect the decision of the organizers.

But it appears that other teams were allowed to bring in flags, messages and symbols representing their country. It seems that once again, Taiwan was singled out.

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