Zhulihu Calla Lily Festival Introduction
The calla lily originates from South Africa and is known as "calla lily" due to its petal-like spathes resembling inverted horse hooves, while its plant grows like a lotus in water. Currently, the total area of the calla lily flower fields in Zhuzi Lake is approximately 13 hectares, accounting for over 80% of the total calla lily production in Taiwan. The flowering period for calla lilies is from January to May each year, with the peak bloom occurring in March and April. The white calla lilies dominate Zhuzi Lake, featuring the elegant "spathe" that is not actually its flower, while the central yellow spadix blooms many inconspicuous small flowers, with the male and female parts separated and orderly. During the calla lily season, on holidays (including weekends), traffic control measures are implemented in a clockwise one-way direction along the calla lily boulevard from Hudian Bridge towards the calla lily fields, with one-way restrictions to the intersection leading to Zhongzheng Mountain. Additionally, two-way traffic is allowed on the eastern section from Hudian Bridge to Eastern Lake, while the Dinghu section is one-way and U-turns are prohibited, with diversion routes leading from the newly paved stone slab road to Yangjin Highway. Traffic control in the Zhuzi Lake area is implemented from 9 AM to 6 PM on holidays, with adjustments based on actual traffic flow. Due to limited road width in the Zhuzi Lake area, it is recommended for visitors to use public transport systems like the MRT or buses. For relevant public transportation information, please visit the Taipei City Department of Transportation website. There are six calla lily trails with different scenery for you to explore. If you want to stretch your muscles, the Taipei City Public Works Department recommends six riverside trails in Zhuzi Lake. To enjoy the large calla lily flower fields, the grandeur of the Little Oil Pit, the white egrets, and the small terraced fields, you can visit the "Dinghu Circular Trail" in the Dinghu area, which is flat and easy to walk, suitable for all ages, taking approximately 20 minutes to walk. If you are interested in early farmers' waterwheels and ecological ponds, you can visit the "Calla Lily Circular Trail" in the Xiaohu area, which also takes about 20 minutes to walk. For waterfall viewing, rock hopping, and appreciating small hills and terraced landscapes, the "Literature Trail" in the Shuiwei area is quite suitable, requiring only about 10 minutes of walking. For a high vantage point overlooking the hillside calla lily terraces, it is recommended to go to the "Lake Bottom Circular Trail," which takes around 15 minutes to walk. The longest trail, the "Zhuzi Lake Circular Trail," enters from Hudian Bridge through Eastern Lake, Dinghu, Shuiwei, and Xiaohu, taking approximately 50 minutes to walk, where you can enjoy the charming scenery of Zhuzi Lake. Additionally, there is the "Calla Love Path," which takes about 15 minutes to walk, allowing you to see calla lilies from March to May, love flowers from April to June, and hydrangeas from May to August, offering different surprises in each season. Visitors heading up the mountain for flower appreciation are reminded that traffic control will be in effect around Zhuzi Lake during the calla lily season on holidays (including the Children's Day holiday). It is recommended to take public transportation to the mountains. For more detailed event and transportation information, please check the Zhuzi Lake Calla Lily Season website. (Text by: Beitou District Farmers' Association)
