Explore a bio-diversified Taiwan

The new charter air service between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan sends its first group of travellers across the Straits at the end of this week. Excitement is building prior to the inaugural flight. Besides the man made attractions, in the arts and in culture, some visitors may want to venture into the wilderness. There they can experience a biologically diverse subtropical island.

Orchids spring to mind when one thinks of Taiwan's natural beauty. The flower abounds here in great variety. It's no exaggeration to say orchids are a cash crop on Taiwan. Orchid production is a major industry and it brings the island important economic benefits every year. Some rare species at the Taiwan Orchid Exhibition, in themselves, make a visit to the show worthwhile.

Orchids spring to mind when one thinks of Taiwan's natural beauty. The flower abounds here in great variety.(Photo: CCTV.com)

There're a staggering, one million orchid species at the show. If the floral diversity leaves you gaping, then check this: among all species, the butterfly orchid alone earns over three billion new Taiwan dollars in export sales annually. That's almost 800-million yuan RMB.

The winner chosen from this year's orchid exhibition is this White Flower Butterfly Orchid. There are 75 flowers on this plant. Each has a diameter roughly 13.5 centimeters. A new blossom has come up every day. It's been 75 days, 75 blossoms, and the first bloom shows no sign of withering.

Calla in Zhuzi lake in Yangming Mountain draw thousands of visitors during the blooming season. So do Chrysanthemums and sun flowers in Zhanghua County.

A group of Chinese mainland tourists will soon inaugurate a new weekend charter air service between the Mainland and Taiwan. The first group on this newly agreed service, heads off, on July fourth.

The choreography for the group embraces diverse elements, like the martial arts, ballet and modern dance.