Image source：寺人孟子/ via Wikimedia Commons / licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

A Riverside Zen Retreat: Beitou Plum Garden

Stroll along the shady creekside paths of Beitou Park, and you’ll find Plum Garden, a beautifully preserved historic estate nestled in lush greenery. Built in the late 1930s, this elegant residence once served as the summer getaway for Yu You-ren, a master of modern Chinese calligraphy and the former President of the Control Yuan. The estate features a unique blend of Japanese and Western architecture, combining classic wooden beams and tatami mats with Western-style colored window glass and a wartime air-defense shelter.

Today, Plum Garden has been revitalized into a cultural visitor center. Inside, you can admire Yu’s powerful cursive calligraphy while breathing in the soothing scent of aged cypress wood. The friendly staff are also on hand to provide local travel tips and recommendations. With its peaceful garden, mature pine trees, and the soothing sound of the nearby stream, it is the perfect spot to unwind and capture beautiful photos after a relaxing hot spring soak.

Getting There: A pleasant 5-minute walk from our resort. (Walk uphill along Zhongshan Road next to Beitou Park; it is located just past the Beitou Hot Spring Museum).

Highlights: Master calligraphy exhibits, classic Japanese-Western fusion architecture, and free travel information services.

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00 (Closed on Mondays. Free admission).