TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Tainan Bonsai Exhibition got underway on Monday (Sept. 16), with a visit by Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) who expressed his appreciation for the many horticulturalists who exhibited at the event.
Huang said in a speech that Tainan not only has beautiful mountains and rivers but also elegant orchids and bonsai, which demonstrate the art of gardening. The bonsai exhibition held at Luermen Shengmu Temple offered visitors the chance to view individual bonsai worth upward of NT$1 million (US$31,400).
The Tainan Bonsai Association invited bonsai masters from around Taiwan to participate, receiving a record 130 submissions this year, which were judged in nine different categories. Gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded one day before the exhibition was opened to the public, per a Tainan City Government press release.

This year’s overall winner is Jiang Rui-yung (江瑞湧), whose bonsai plants harmoniously match the pots they are placed in, as well as showing stability and good structure. His bonsai submissions earned top scores from judges.
The Tainan Bonsai Association said each bonsai creation is an artistic landscape that reflects the natural scenery and clouds. Each bonsai has its own merits and is worthy of being considered an exquisite artwork.
The Tainan Bonsai Association has held a bonsai exhibition at Luermen Sheng Mu Temple for a decade. This year's exhibition runs until Monday (Sept. 23) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The exhibition is free to the general public, and guides are on hand to introduce the art of bonsai to the public. Furthermore, three bonsai pruning courses will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 17, 21, and 22.
