A single exhibition showcasing Taiwan’s rare horticultural treasures:: Health & Wellness Pavilion

If you’re a fan of bonsai gardening, the “Health & Wellness Pavilion” at Xinxing Park will be a feast for your eyes. Themed “Health & Oxygen / Centennial Floral Blessings,” the pavilion displays medicinal herb plants that are mostly century-old or uniquely styled masterpieces. Each exhibition typically features over 100 bonsai, giving visitors the chance to closely observe these most treasured rarities of Taiwan and experience the resilient vitality of nature's creations.

The pavilion is housed in the existing Little White House, with the exhibition space divided into indoor and outdoor sections. The indoor area mainly showcases century-old tree specimens or uniquely styled bonsai, where photography is prohibited. The outdoor section features seasonal medicinal and aromatic plants. Admission to the pavilion requires advance reservation tickets and includes guided tours by staff who introduce the exceptional value and unique features of each plant, enriching visitors’ knowledge.

In the Health & Wellness Pavilion, you can witness centuries of nature condensed into miniature forms. These exhibits come from the precious collections of 365 collectors, many of which have never been shown to the public before. Among them is a massive casuarina bonsai estimated to be around 500 years old, with a majestic presence that has become the pavilion’s prized treasure. There is also a banyan bonsai shaped like a cliffside tree, 200 years old with gnarled roots. A slender myrtle bonsai styled as a “literati tree” reveals exposed roots resembling a delicate, graceful scholar. Additionally, the vivid wooden horse outdoors is a 1:1 scale masterpiece hand-carved by Taiwanese wood sculptors using tree roots, meticulously crafted to capture its lively form. The exceptional works displayed in this edition of the pavilion hold extraordinary significance, featuring rare bonsai seldom seen even by professionals, drawing enthusiasts from all fields.

Until the end of the flower expo, the pavilion is hosting its fourth phase exhibition, running from March 16 to April 25, themed “Spring Planting, Blessings Received.” It highlights the endless vitality of plants in spring, featuring evergreen and rare bonsai such as those symbolizing blessings. The outdoor area showcases summer-specific herbs and aromatic plants, offering visitors an immersive experience in the ever-renewing beauty of nature and a visual feast unlike any other.

(Source: 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo)