Nature, art and coffee: Visting Chien-hua Garden

From our archives, Compass Magazine, Aug. 2002:

By Chen Ni-ang Translated by Elliot Billings

Chien-hua Garden, which opened in April of last year, has recently become a popular tourist attraction. On weekends and holidays, this delightful example of landscape horticulture welcomes droves of sightseers from around the country, bringing excitement to this normally-quiet mountain suburb.

The man behind Chien-hua Garden, Mr. Chang, was originally a landscape designer. Central Taiwan residents may remember the proliferation of outdoor beer gardens in Taichung during the early ?s, featuring dazzling architecture and exquisite gardens. Two of these, Hung Mu-lin (Mangrove) and Chin Go-te (Golden Gothic), were Mr. Chang’s creations. Unhappy with the commercial side of business and wanting to avoid creative stagnation, Chang fulfilled his landscape design vision by creating the Chien-hua Garden Coffee.

Inside Chien-hua Garden, it looks as if the grass, flowers and trees exist in seemingly wild profusion, a kind of “nature reconstructed”. This is just the impression that Mr. Chang was aiming to create. His idea was to provide a space where art and nature mix, a place where people can relax in a natural setting. And, he has done exactly that.

The cafe inside the garden has a primitive and natural feel, as the seating area shares space with trees and a meandering stream with tadpoles and fish scurrying under lotus leaves. Not far away, frogs can be heard croaking. Adults can enjoy the fresh flowers, including new varieties planted every season, while young children can play to their hearts’ content in the forest area. When you are tired, you can refresh yourself at the cafe with a cup of coffee or fruit juice.

Mr. Chang offers customers a space where works of art combine with the environment to reveal a natural
simplicity, full of excitement and vitality, and a place to open one’s spirit.

However, please note that the garden’s hours of operation are strictly controlled, lest the influx of visitors overwhelm the delicate flora, and to ensure that the visitor is greeted each time by exuberant verdure. For this reason, visitors are asked to pay close attention to the garden’s hours of operation. On Monday and Tuesday, excepting holidays and special events, the garden is not open. Please also keep in mind that food from outside is forbidden.

Admission is NT$200 for adults and NT$100 for children, and i

Shie-shing Street, Shie-cheng Tsun (village), Hsinshe Hsiang (township), Taichung County
Tel: (04) 2582-1141
Hours: 10 am-6 pm Wed-Fri; 9 am-7 pm Sat-Sun (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Website: www.chgarden.com.tw