Taipei Botanical Garden Introduction
The Taipei Botanical Garden, which covers an area of approximately 8 hectares, was an important site for plant research during the Japanese colonial period. It retains experimental research plant species introduced from Taiwan, Japan, mainland China, and Southeast Asia. Today, the architectural structures and plant varieties in the garden have far exceeded their past splendor, with around 2000 species collected. The garden is divided into different areas based on plant classification systems and characteristics, with each area presenting a different theme. There are informative plaques introducing unusual flowers and plants, such as the Lotus Pond, the Chinese Zodiac area, the Succulent Plants area, the Fern area, the Plants of the Classic of Poetry area, the Folk Plants area, and the Palm area. With the changing seasons, the plant landscape varies, with each season offering a unique experience. Entering in the afternoon provides a more comfortable feeling due to the light and temperature. In addition to various plant exhibition areas, there are also two designated historical sites within the Taipei Botanical Garden. The Imperial Envoy Office, completed in 1894, served as the office for the Governor-General of Taiwan for 25 years and is the only surviving Minnan-style official building from the Qing Dynasty in Taiwan. It still stands today, telling the stories of its time, having witnessed the transitions through the Qing Dynasty, Japanese rule, and the Republic of China. The Wax Leaf Pavilion of the Taipei Botanical Garden was built in 1924, originally known as the “Central Research Institute Forestry Department Wax Leaf Pavilion.” It was established to develop Taiwan's forest resources by drying and preserving wild-collected plants as “wax leaf specimens” for plant identification, making it the first specimen museum in Taiwan specifically built for storing wax leaf specimens. Since its establishment in 1921, the botanical garden remains a part of many Taipei residents' memories. It is suitable to visit throughout the year with family and friends, especially in the summer when it serves as an excellent place to escape the heat. Visitors to the botanical garden can first understand the rules for visiting, pathways, and exhibition areas through the Taipei Botanical Garden website to help protect the area together. (Some information sourced from: Taipei Botanical Garden)
