Taitung Indigenous Plants Garden Introduction
Taitung, situated along the Pacific Ocean currents and the Kuroshio Current, enjoys a favorable climate and has not been severely impacted by environmental pollution or destruction. Historically, this region has been home to a variety of medicinal plants. During the Japanese colonial period, herbs were cultivated in the mountainous areas of Zhiben and Taimali in Taitung, developing into "Herb Mountain". While a few species were introduced, the vast majority are native medicinal herbs from Taitung (including Orchid Island). According to herbal experts, Taitung is home to over 2,000 species of medicinal herbs, earning it the title of the "Hometown of Taiwanese Medicinal Herbs." The Taitung Indigenous Applied Botanical Garden was established against this backdrop. Although it has only been open for two years, the garden, with its professional management team and exceptional operational philosophy, has created a tourist botanical garden in Taiwan's eastern mountainous region that combines herb cultivation, biotech research, fresh culinary delights, wellness relaxation, and health product promotion. The entrance features an impressive water curtain hall, as if to wash away the visitors' worldly distractions. Upon entering the park, one is greeted by the expansive 1,500 ping "Indigenous Exploration Botanical Garden", filled with various medicinal herbs and flowers. This area is divided into six main zones: Health Herbs, Aromatic Plants, Medicinal Culinary Plants, Ground Cover Plants, Herbal Tea Plants, and Aquatic Plants, housing over 200 species, all of which are Taitung's native plants. Walking through the Indigenous Exploration Botanical Garden to the slope ahead, visitors can stroll along the central viewing boardwalk, where a breathtaking view unfolds. The sight extends along the ridges of the Central Mountain Range and the Coastal Mountain Range to the south, with distant views of the Pacific Ocean, marking a beautiful exclamation point in the minds of tourists. The health restaurant serves as another exclusive highlight of the Taitung Indigenous Applied Botanical Garden. With stunning mountain and sea views, the restaurant offers creatively prepared wellness meals primarily based on various organic wild vegetables grown within the park. Unique sauces, such as minced red scallions and fragrant Chinese toon, complement the hot pot dishes, providing flavors hard to find elsewhere! Under the chef's innovations, wild vegetables such as Amaranthus, Portulaca, sorrel, black nightshade, sweet potato leaves, thunder god vine, Showa grass, mountain celery, and earth ginseng become delicious dishes for guests; these can even be transformed into beverages and desserts. With staff providing insightful explanations, each meal turns into a feast for the senses. Lastly, don't forget to visit the "Botanical Lifestyle Souvenir Shop," located at the center of the park, which showcases various health products made from medicinal herbs. Unlike typical specialty product markets, this shop features about 150 high-quality products from Taitung's native medicinal plant series and health specialties. Examples include various herbal teas, wellness medicinal wines, herbal foods, and bathing products, most of which are developed in-house by the Taitung Indigenous Applied Botanical Garden.
