The Joy of "Tao" in the Mountains – Hua Tao Yao

Written & Photographed by Chen Shuping

Walking past a vast expanse of lush green rice paddies and heading toward the mountains, you can see from afar clusters of houses built along the contours of the hillsides. The red bricks at the entrance hint at an ancient charm, while vines climb freely over the eaves, almost turning the roof green. "Hua ni xi ke chen, tao ran gong wang ji" ("The earth's clay washes away the dust of the world, as we find joy in pottery and forget worldly schemes"), "Si tu you qing" ("This land is full of sentiment") — the couplets on the gate reveal the essence of this place. This is Hua Tao Yao in Yuanli Township, Miaoli County, a cultural destination that embraces nature, engages in dialogue with pottery art, and allows visitors to experience floral art, pottery, and the aesthetics of life amidst beautiful scenery.

Every flower, every piece of pottery, every view — beauty is found in the simplest things

Upon entering, the garden owner leading the tour asked us to pause for a moment in the square. Before long, the slow and peaceful rhythm of a distant drumbeat began — the welcome drum that Hua Tao Yao strikes on the hour. I couldn’t help but admire the owner’s thoughtful arrangement, as this “pause” ritual seemed to settle the surrounding noise, chatter, and the restlessness of travel.

Founded in 1984, Hua Tao Yao covers an area of about 15 hectares. Its founder, Chen Wenhui, and his wife initially started growing flowers and making pottery vases for them out of a love for floral arrangements. Eventually breaking free from constraints, they integrated vases with the mountain forest. Every piece of pottery, brick, wood, and scene became spontaneous material — where floral art and pottery became impromptu creations in daily life.