Taipei Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden was an important site for botanical research during the Japanese colonial era. Covering an area of approximately 8 hectares, it preserved experimental and research plant species introduced from Taiwan, Japan, mainland China, and Southeast Asia at that time. Today, the number of buildings and plant species in the garden far surpasses its former glory, with a collection of up to about 2,000 plant species. Taipei Botanical Garden is divided into zones based on plant classification systems and habits, with each area presenting a different theme. Informative signs introduce unique flowers and plants, such as the Lotus Pond, Chinese Zodiac Zone, Succulent Plant Zone, Fern Zone, Classic of Poetry Plant Zone, Folk Plant Zone, and Palm Family Zone. As the seasons change, the appearance of the plant communities transforms, and each season offers a unique charm. Entering in the afternoon, the light and temperature provide an even more comfortable experience. In addition to various plant exhibition areas, there are also two city-designated historical sites located within the Taipei Botanical Garden. The Qing Dynasty Imperial Envoy's Residence (欽差行臺) was completed in 1894 and served as the Taiwan Governor-General's Office for 25 years. It is the only remaining Hokkien-style government building from Taiwan's Qing Dynasty era. After enduring the Qing Dynasty, Japanese colonial period, and Republic of China eras, it still stands today, recounting the stories of those times. The Taipei Botanical Garden Herbarium was built in 1924, originally known as the 'Forestry Department Herbarium of the Central Research Institute.' To develop Taiwan's forest resources, plants collected in the wild were dried and preserved as 'herbarium specimens' for identifying plant species, making it Taiwan's first specimen hall built specifically for storing plant herbarium specimens. Since its establishment in 1921, the Botanical Garden has remained a part of many Taipei residents' memories. It is suitable for visiting with family and friends in all seasons, and summer, in particular, is an excellent place to escape the heat. Visitors to the Botanical Garden can first consult the Taipei Botanical Garden website to understand the rules, routes, and relevant knowledge about the exhibition areas, and together help protect the park. (Partial source: Taipei Botanical Garden)