[2025 Taipei Restaurant] Travel Guide for Marshal Zen Garden (Updated Jun)

At 3 PM on the Dragon Boat Festival, the mist in the mountains of Beitou has yet to dissipate, and the air remains warm and humid. This is the perfect time to take a leisurely stroll into Marshal Zen Garden for an afternoon tea experience that blends history, nature, and taste. Marshal Zen Garden, once the secluded residence of Zhang Xueliang, has now transformed into a serene retreat combining culture and Zen aesthetics. Stepping into the garden, you’ll find wood and stone as its foundation, forest shadows as its attire, and the aroma of tea as its essence. A cup of tea here is not merely a thirst quencher but a condensation of time and a gateway to memories. The garden offers a thoughtfully curated **"Zen Afternoon Tea Set"**. Presented on a black lacquer tray, the set exudes understated elegance. The tea snacks are crafted from natural ingredients and blend Japanese and Chinese elements: tea jelly made with Beitou hot spring water, crystal-clear and melting in the mouth; handmade mini rice dumplings with layers of sweet and savory flavors wrapped in bamboo leaves; and seasonal treats like osmanthus cake, red bean yokan, and lotus seed pastries. The tea selection includes high mountain oolong and customizable herbal blends, offering a smooth and refreshing taste with hints of forest and foliage. Outdoor seating allows guests to gaze over the Taipei Basin and Beitou Valley, accompanied by occasional birdsong and breezes for added charm. On drizzly days, sitting on tatami mats under the eaves lets you watch the mist gently drift past the windows, reminiscent of Zhang Xueliang’s days of seclusion, accompanied by tea and the mountains. The afternoon tea at Marshal Zen Garden does not aim for opulence but rather embraces simplicity and refinement. Time slows down, voices soften, and the mind finds tranquility. Savoring tea here feels like sharing a silent dialogue with a historical figure or enjoying a quiet drink with the mountain breeze. After tea, one feels reluctant to leave. Perhaps true healing is not found in distant places but in moments like this—an afternoon, a pot of tea, a slice of history, and the serene intersection of the present.

Dragon Boat Festival is a time for commemoration and warding off evil, symbolized by the aroma of rice dumplings and the thrill of dragon boat races. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, if you seek a serene and historic retreat that offers both scenic views and a sense of tranquility, the Marshal Zen Garden in Beitou is an exceptional choice to harmonize your mind and soul with the seasonal spirit. Nestled in the secluded valley of Beitou, the Marshal Zen Garden was once the residence of Zhang Xueliang during his confinement. Today, it has transformed into a haven that blends history, Zen philosophy, and natural beauty. The winding paths leading to the garden are surrounded by lush greenery, with the air carrying the refreshing scent of early summer grass and the cool mist of distant mountain springs. During the Dragon Boat Festival, the abundant rainfall in Beitou adds a touch of steaming ambiance, making the journey feel like a stroll through the mists of history, as if encountering the Marshal himself. The garden's architecture is harmoniously integrated with the mountain terrain, featuring wooden corridors and Japanese-style tea pavilions that exude a tranquil elegance. Visiting during the Dragon Boat Festival, you might choose to sit by a tatami mat near the window, savoring a pot of fragrant tea while gazing at the drifting mountain mist and reflecting on the passage of history. Amid the tea's aroma, you can also enjoy the garden's special rice dumpling set, crafted with local ingredients and a focus on health. The savory taste carries subtle hints of bamboo leaves and medicinal herbs, perfectly aligning with the seasonal nourishment. The Marshal Zen Garden also offers hot spring baths, with water sourced from Beitou's geothermal springs, historically believed to have healing and purifying properties. A soak in the hot springs on a Dragon Boat Festival afternoon not only relieves travel fatigue but also feels like an intimate dialogue with the land—allowing your body to reconnect with the warmth of the mountains, the flow of energy, and the rhythm of the season. Throughout the garden, remnants of Zhang Xueliang's residence can be seen, including his desk, bed, and old photographs, quietly narrating a chapter of history. In the small Zhang Memorial Room, reading his handwritten notes while observing the birds in the green forest outside the window evokes thoughts on the intertwining of history and personal destiny. The Dragon Boat Festival, traditionally a day to defy fate, adds a poignant layer to this intersection of time and space. Here, the Dragon Boat Festival is not just a holiday but a journey of memory, healing, and renewal. At the Marshal Zen Garden, we step from the seasonal spirit into history and find a sense of peace in the present.

Today, I took my granddaughter, daughter, and son-in-law, who returned to Taiwan from the United States, to Beitou (Marshal Zen Garden) for delicious food and hot springs. We first soaked our feet in the outdoor hot spring pool. It felt so comfortable to soak in the hot spring in the cold weather. Then, we went to the restaurant to eat the 'Marshal Set Meal'. My favorites were the Wagyu beef, abalone, and the delicious Buddha Jumps Over the Wall stew cooked in an iron pot. During the meal, I also drank two small cups of rose vinegar to cut the grease. The soft-shell crab and creamy pasta at the end were the perfect finish. After eating, I booked a luxurious hot spring suite for the three of them to enjoy a hot spring bath. I waited for them while having afternoon tea at the nearby 'Xiaoliu Teahouse'. After 90 minutes, my little grandson happily came to find me, saying he had a great time and was very happy. We enjoyed delicious food and wine, feeling truly blessed. This is a great place worth recommending to everyone.