Taipei’s Neishuangxi Nature Center: Empress Hua’s “One-Zhang Red” Hides in a Sea of Lilies

▲ A few splashes of red amid the vast lily fields at Neishuangxi Nature Center have a subtle connection to Empress Hua from *Empresses in the Palace*. (Photo courtesy of Taipei City Bureau of Urban Development, same below)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

“Just give her a taste of ‘One-Zhang Red’!” The classic line delivered by Empress Hua in the palace drama *Empresses in the Palace* remains vivid in many people’s memories. Among the competing blooms, the hollyhock, draped in a bold red coat, quietly blooms in a sea of lilies at Taipei’s Neishuangxi Nature Center—and it also goes by the alias “One-Zhang Red.”.

Neishuangxi Nature Center is currently in the midst of its lily blooming season. Out of 3,000 tiger lilies planted last year, some have already withered due to poor flowering conditions. To fill the space with blooms of similar timing, hollyhocks were added, creating the scenic view of “a touch of red amid the white,” which has drawn the attention of many flower-viewing visitors. However, few know that the hollyhock is also nicknamed “One-Zhang Red.”

▲ Hollyhocks can typically grow to a height of 1 to 2 meters, and some can even reach up to 3 meters.

The Taipei City Bureau of Urban Development explained that the hollyhock is characterized by its tall stature, growing between 1 to 2 meters, with some reaching up to 3 meters, hence the name “One-Zhang Red.” Additionally, because of its large flowers, it is also called the “big flower.” However, the big flowers at Neishuangxi have only been planted last year and haven’t yet fully adapted to the environment, so they currently only grow to about 50 centimeters in height.

Those wishing to visit Neishuangxi Nature Center to admire the sea of lilies and hollyhocks can do so freely from now until June 2, daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., without the need for prior application.