Persimmon season in Hsinchu: when and where to see the orange fields

From about September to December, the farm courtyards of Hsinchu County turn orange. Tens of thousands of peeled persimmons are laid out on round trays to dry in the sun and the strong autumn wind, a sight that draws photographers from all over Taiwan.

Why Hsinchu?

Hsinchu is Taiwan’s Windy City. From autumn, the north-east monsoon blows dry and strong down the coast, and the same wind that dries the city’s rice noodles is perfect for drying fruit. Farmers in the Hakka township of Xinpu, in the north of the county, have dried persimmons this way for generations, and Beipu is known for them too.

How they are made

1. The persimmons are picked while still firm, then peeled by hand or machine.
2. They are laid out on large round trays in the sun.
3. The wind and sun dry them over a week or more, and they are turned and gently pressed as they dry.
4. The finished fruit is soft, chewy and very sweet, sometimes dusted with a natural white sugar bloom.

When to go

The season usually runs from September to December, with the most trays out in October and November. The exact timing depends on the harvest and the weather. Sunny, windy days are the best for drying, and for photos.

Where to see them

Several family farms in Xinpu welcome visitors to see the drying fields, and some hold events in the season. Many ask visitors to buy something or pay a small fee, which is fair, as the fields are working farms. Beipu’s shops sell dried persimmons through the season, and you can see a few trays on the edges of town.

Tips for visiting

• Go in the morning, when the light is soft and the trays are freshly laid out.
• Stay on the paths and do not touch the fruit.
• Ask before you photograph the farmers at work.
• Bring a windproof jacket: the wind that dries the fruit is strong and cool.
• You will need a car, a taxi or a tour. Buses to the farms are few.

What to buy

• Dried persimmons: sold by the box, a popular gift in Taiwan.
• Persimmon snacks: persimmon cakes, jams and ice cream at some farms.
• Oriental Beauty tea: from the same hills. See what to eat in Hsinchu.

Make a day of it

Combine the persimmon farms with the Hakka towns of Neiwan and Beipu in our Hakka hills day trip guide, and see the travel guide for what else is on in autumn.