The 2026 Tung Blossom Festival officially kicked off on April 18! Connecting 13 counties and cities across Taiwan, the event has begun in New Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan.
Ku Hsiu-Fei, Minister of the Hakka Affairs Council (HAC), said that since its launch, the Tung Blossom Festival has gradually become a hallmark spring cultural event in Taiwan, showcasing the characteristics of Hakka culture and inviting people to come closer to nature in mountains and forests. Based on a script by Japanese playwright So Kuramoto, the story tells of a school which term begins in winter. Use of electricity is forbidden on the eve before the start of classes, so students wrap themselves in blankets and warm stones over fire to endure the cold, dark night. Ultimately, they welcome the sunrise in the morning, celebrating their aliveness amidst the light and warmth of nature. With a history spanning over two decades, the Tung Blossom Festival has shifted away from hosting the main event this year. The goal is to encourage people to visit more locations and immerse in nature amidst the abundant tung flowers.
The opening event provided a stage for public-private partnerships. The event in Gukeng, Yunlin featured Tai - Jih Percussion Group, a local arts and culture troupe who rendered the distinctive emotions of Zhao’an culture through environmental theater—a thrilling display of art in mountain forests. The Chiayi event demonstrates the impact of private sector involvement in post-disaster recovery: the uninterrupted blooming of tung flowers on Happy Hill underscores the close bond between the land and its people.
This year’s Tung Blossom Festival features a diverse and vibrant lineup. Taoyuan assembles the five major zones with the theme “Enjoy the Tungs, Give Me Five”. In his speech, Taoyuan Mayor Chang San-cheng remarked that HAC has invested resources to promote the Tung Blossom Festival. This illustrates the achievements of the principle that “one dollar in funding brings two dollars in benefits”, perfectly exemplifying the advantages for cultural tourism derived from central-local cooperation. Hsinchu County offers a tung blossom mini-tour to deepen community participation; Tainan organizes local agricultural experiences in the Meiling Scenic Area; and through the concerted efforts of multiple administrative districts, New Taipei boosts local development, testament to the combined benefits of cultural tourism.
