Matsu Beardsley Museum Introduction
The park was established in 1978, and its founding has an interesting background. Over twenty years ago, Chinese painting master Zhang Daqian visited Nanzhuang and lamented the absence of plum blossoms, which ignited the owner’s determination to cultivate them. Although Master Zhang sadly never got to see the blooming plum blossoms in Nanzhuang, the owner gained valuable experience in growing plums and transformed the area into a space that integrates nature, culture, and art. The garden covers about 0.6 hectares with more than 20 varieties of plum blossoms, including treasured species like the century-old red plum and golden thread drooping plum, as well as many exquisite potted plum trees. Every year from December to March, during the plum blossom season, the branches are adorned with beautiful blossoms that decorate the park wonderfully. In addition to enjoying the plum blossoms, visitors can also taste the unique plum blossom tea made from the budding flowers, making it the perfect beverage. Beyond the plum blossom season, the park features cherry blossoms, tung flowers, lotus flowers, maple leaves, and osmanthus flowers that bloom in sequence, filling the garden with different seasonal charms. Besides the outdoor plum blossoms, the park includes a museum that collects many books, paintings, and artifacts related to plum blossoms and Bodhidharma, as well as ancient relics from Nanzhuang’s once-thriving mining and forestry industries, providing periodic exhibitions that enhance the cultural atmosphere of the plum garden.
