Taiwan Forestry Research InstituteTaiwan Forestry Research Institute

Fushan Botanical Garden belongs to Fushan Experimental Forest at TFRI. It collects systematically and nourishes woody plants from low and mid-altitude areas so as to provide for academic research, teaching and practical training, environmental education, and reserve species.

There are 4 display areas in Fushan Botanical Garden, which are Natural Classroom, Tree Exhibition (including The world of Camphor and Oak, and Fun of Varied Tree), Forest Discovery, and Plants and Human Life (including Bamboo and Ethnic Plants). Moreover, there are 18 interpretive signs in Fushan, such as aquatic plant pond, Taiwan Leaf-nosed bat, ferns, and gymnosperm plants and so on.

There are 135 families, over 700 species and more than 4000 individual plants in Fushan Botanical Garden. In order to respond to the general public’s needs for leisure and recreation, promote nature education, and maintain the quality of ecological environment, the Fushan Botanical Garden, is open to the general public but the number of visitors allowed is restricted. Meanwhile, plant tour guides and recreational facilities will provide better services to the people.

Before visiting the Garden, please register online at http://fushan.tfri.gov.tw/.

Only one road links the botanical garden to the outside world. Visitors enter via route 9A from Yuanshan town in Yilan, passing through Shuanglian Pond on the way. The meandering road winds through quiet and lush fields into the famed secret garden. The car journey will take about 50 minutes.

Trained Volunteers will introduce what rules to notice, what pretty things to observe in this seasons, and how to quiet your heart. From here to Aquatic Plant Pond, along the trail visitors can encounter five precious tree species of Taiwan’s broad-leaved trees: Cinnamomum Kanehirae Hayata, Sassafras Randaiense, Michelia Formosana, Pistacia Chinensis and Zelkova Serrata. These trees are highly useful and valuable. Second to be seen are the five precious tree species of Taiwan’s coniferous trees including, Cunninghamia konishii, Taiwania cryptomerioides, Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana, Chamaecyparis formosensis and Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana, which are the most valuable coniferous trees in Taiwan.

Aquatic Plant Pond used to be a swamp. After dredge and drainage, Hah-Pen River became the fixed water source it is today. There are many rare aquatic plants in the pond. Some are endemic while others are cultivated and recuperated. Moreover, the wild life dependent on the aquatic pond for existence has also made the aquatic pond the best place to observe nature and take photographs. You can see many plants and birds here, following: Nuphar shimadai Hayata (yellow water lily), Zacco barbatus(Zacco fish), Aix galericulata(Mandarin duck)…etc.

As you enter into the garden, the pond and forest creates an atmosphere of enchantment. Look closely in the pond, you will find Chinese hook-snout carp, groupers, and grass carp, as well as little grebes, common moorhens, mandarin ducks, and all kinds of chirping frogs just waiting to meet you. Three small ring-shaped classrooms beside the trail are separately planted in understory plants, ferns, and gymnosperms. You will also see epiphytic plants and vines, as well as bats around here.

It displays a systematic collection of low and mid-elevation oak and camphor trees native to Taiwan. Trees from the Lauraceae and Fagaceae not only dominate low and mid-elevation broadleaf forests but are also closely related to our daily lives.

Most of the trees in the area of “Fun for Varied Tree” are native plants in Taiwan. As the seasons change, trees change too. Vestments are changed in the lovely-blossomed rhododendrons, camellias, and plants of Rose Family. Maples, elaeocarpuses, and soap nut tree display dramatic leaf colors. Uniquely shaped fruits are found on Formosan ormosia, Taiwan trident maple, and yellow basket-willow. Interesting textures define the barks of large-leaf cherry, subcostate crape myrtle, and Chinese honey locust.

A rich variety of ground-cover plants, shrubs, epiphytic, vines and a thick tree canopy make up the forest. Follow the winding path and you will find all these layers of plants inviting you to experience the romance of the subtropical rain forest. However, this area is wet and steep; please walk safely.

Plants are inseparably connected to human life and culture, and this area exhibits the fast growing plants- bamboo. Bamboo has a wide range of uses; its shoots can be eaten, its bole can be made into furniture, or used as a construction material. It is also a favorite subject in Chinese painting.

The wisdom of our ancestors can be found in the plants they utilized during times of material deficiency. Roots, stems, bark, leaves, flowers, and fruits provide for food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities. The plants in the area are those that were most commonly used by ancient peoples. Ornamentals such as cherries, flowering dogwoods, and palms can be found in the Sunshine Grassland.

Of all areas in the Garden, the water plant area is certainly the most impressive to tourist. It contains a lot of beautiful plants surrounding by natural shaped landscape. Visitors particularly enjoy spending time there to soak up and connect with the environment. Even if you only stay a few minutes, the memories will probably last for a lifetime.