Golden Needles Bloom in Hualien, but Tourist Car Accident Causes Traffic Chaos

Hualien's Chike Mountain and Fuli Township's Shisiliu Mountain are currently ablaze with the vibrant colors of blooming golden needle flowers, drawing crowds eager to enjoy the late summer scenery. However, the popular tourist destination experienced significant disruption when a car carrying sightseers overturned on a narrow mountain road.

The incident occurred early Saturday morning when an 84-year-old male driver, accompanied by a female passenger, lost control of their vehicle on a newly opened, steep, and winding branch of the Chike Mountain road. The car veered off the road, resulting in a rollover that shattered the windshield and left the vehicle obstructing the roadway. Fortunately, both occupants managed to exit the car uninjured.

The accident caused a traffic backup of approximately one kilometer, frustrating other tourists attempting to reach the scenic spots. The blockage persisted until a tow truck arrived to remove the overturned vehicle, eventually restoring passage. Local farmers noted the unusual morning quiet before the news of the accident spread through community chat groups, explaining the lack of early visitors.

Residents expressed frustration over the road conditions, citing ongoing issues with the main Chike Mountain road since a typhoon two years ago and the narrow, unpaved sections of the newly constructed branch road. They hope the county government will expedite improvements to ensure safer access for the many visitors drawn by the beautiful flowers.

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The flowers are beautiful, but the roads are very dangerous.