It's the perfect time to admire the autumn foliage!

As autumn sets in, the maples and Japanese maples gradually turn shades of red and gold. With your camera in hand and a light jacket on, the season for enjoying the fall colors is upon us. In Issue 45 of last year’s High-Speed Rail Magazine, architecture expert Professor Gong Shuzhang introduced the ever-changing beauty of Huatao Kiln in harmony with the seasons through a single photo. The golden ginkgo leaves and serene, beautiful pathways made it hard to imagine that such stunning scenery could be found right in Yuanli, Miaoli.

In autumn, Huatao Kiln in Yuanli sees its evergreen maples, sweet gums, and Chinese parasol trees—plants known for their seasonal color changes—transform with the climate. Their yellow and red leaves leap onto nature’s stage, gradually making their quiet appearance within the Huatao Kiln grounds. Located on the western hillside of Yuanli, Miaoli, Huatao Kiln is the workshop of ceramic artists Chen Wenhui and his wife. Established in 1984, the kiln overlooks Tiezhen Mountain and gazes down upon the Dajiaxi alluvial plain, covering a total area of nearly six hectares. It is divided into two main areas: a traditional Taiwanese cultural garden and a native plant ecological zone. The overall aesthetic blends uniquely Taiwanese architectural landscapes, native plant cultivation, wood-fired ceramic artistry, and ecological restoration—making it......the first and most representative site in central and northern Taiwan’s coastal region to harmoniously combine culture, art, and natural scenery.

Upholding the philosophy of "staying rooted in local culture," this place is not just a pottery kiln but also seeks to reflect Taiwan’s broader historical, humanistic, and natural diversity by connecting with the cultural essence of living spaces. Through the integration of Miaoli’s traditional climbing kilns, the cultivation and restoration of native plants, and the reinterpretation of early Taiwanese residential architectural language, the kiln presents the concept that “Taiwan’s beauty remains timeless.” It operates based on the ideals of pottery-making, kiln firing, planting, landscaping, and restoring native plants.

With its rich natural beauty combined with kiln culture, visitors can enjoy a half-day trip here to view ceramics, the native animal area, hand-pulled cups, and more, spending a relaxing afternoon. And now, with the maples and ginkgos changing color, visitors can even book a foliage-viewing experience, enriching their half-day escape with both culture and nature.