Flowers are on display not only at Taipei's Flora Expo but also in the Hualien-Taitung East Rift Valley where a virtual sea of native flowers are on view. Here at CTS, let's take a look.

These Hualien Taitung East Rift Valley flowers are about to bloom as traveling from Hualien to Taitung along Provincial Highway 9 allows many chances to stop and watch the flowers.

Chihshiang Township farmers about two years ago planted about fifty kinds of flowers and plants which were arranged for visitors to see.

Compared to the Taipei Flora Expo, these Hualien Taitung East Rift Valley flowers, exhibit Taiwan's local flavor, especially with this straw demonstration arranged to provide a nostalgic rural scene.

There are even cartoon characters and modern large-scale installation art to attract tourists.

In particular, straw was used to make a special theater and upon entering, one can hear songs from Theresa Teng and old photos from Chihshiang Township.

This year, the East Rift Valley has 7,000 hectares of flowers, and from December 12th to Lunar New Year, it is all free as many are invited to visit eastern Taiwan at this exhibition.