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Osmanthus South Port If we say Baozhong tea is the leading character in South Port tea gardens, then the fragrant and graceful osmanthus is the leading lady of the tea garden. Osmanthus is one of the well-known garden plants. When you visit the South Port tea mountains in autumn or winter, you may catch a faint, not overly strong or showy, but uniquely fresh and pleasant fragrance carried by the wind. When you follow the scent, you will find it comes from tiny flowers, which are osmanthus. The cultivation history of osmanthus in the South Port tea mountains is almost as long as that of Baozhong tea. Originally, it was used as a fragrance additive for making scented flower tea. In addition, local tea farmers also collected and brewed it into osmanthus dew. Therefore, when you visit the South Port tea gardens, you can not only enjoy the tea but also taste the fragrance and beauty of osmanthus dew. In the old days of Taiwan's marriage customs, the bride had to prepare osmanthus and stone gift planters as part of her dowry, to wish the newlyweds "have a son soon" and "many children and grandchildren." Although modern people no longer follow these customs as much, the fresh and elegant osmanthus fragrance remains popular. South Port Old Village tea mountains is the birthplace of Baozhong tea, with a history of over a hundred years. In addition to producing tea leaves, it was also the main production area for osmanthus during the Japanese colonial period. At that time, Taiwanese tea merchants often used fragrant flowers to scent the tea leaves to enhance their flavor, called "Taiwan Baozhong flower tea." The osmanthus with a strong fragrance became one of the main scented flowers for tea. However, later on, local tea farmers in South Port developed a "South Port style Baozhong tea" that could naturally emit a floral fragrance without the need for scenting with flowers. The demand for osmanthus decreased sharply, and many osmanthus groves disappeared. Today, South Port still has two relatively large and unique osmanthus groves with rich regional characteristics. One is a grove of over 100 old osmanthus trees behind a farmer's house at No. 330, Section 2, Jiu Zhuang Street, with the trees over 60 years old and taller than people. The other is the largest osmanthus grove in South Port, located below a pavilion next to Guanyunju at No. 324, Section 2, Jiu Zhuang Street. Every year, from the 15th day of the eighth lunar month to the Spring Festival, the osmanthus fragrance fills the mountain paths, adding a different flavor to the South Port tea village. Osmanthus Suspension Bridge Trail Just by looking at this poetic and picturesque name, it already gives people many imaginative spaces! The osmanthus suspension bridge can be considered a secret garden in the mountains of South Port. The small bridge, flowing water, and exquisite miniature style are located next to the demonstration tea factory's mountain path. Both are smooth and clean trails, with a total length of less than one kilometer, making them very suitable for planning together in a "relaxing" trip. Walking up Old Zhuang Road Section 2, you will see an osmanthus pavilion. If the weather is cool and comfortable, many residents gather here to brew tea and chat. Near the trail entrance, there are many colorful paintings, landscape decorations, calligraphy, and stone carvings, giving a strong classical atmosphere, making people doubt they have arrived at a paradise beyond the world! Next to the osmanthus pavilion is another pavilion, which is the osmanthus suspension bridge trail. The artistic landscape at the trail entrance resembles a garden-style courtyard of a scholar's backyard. Walking on this miniature trail, the most important thing is to be careful and appreciate it. The air is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus and wild ginger flowers, and the stone carvings and the sound of the stream along the path, together with the ancient-style suspension bridge, can make people's moods flutter, in harmony with these natural signals! The osmanthus suspension bridge trail has a simple and gentle terrain. It is not known for conquering mountains or enjoying city views, but it is a miniature natural classroom that allows you to experience both cultural and natural atmosphere. You don't need much physical strength, and it doesn't take much time. It is an excellent destination for a family picnic or personal relaxation. Source: Department of Public Works, Taipei City Government