However, if you're planning to drive between the small town of Jhongpu (中埔) and Nansi (楠西) in Tainan County (台南縣) via Highway No. 3, or take the breathtakingly steep and scenic section of Road No. 172 that links Jhongpu with the hot springs resort of Guanziling (關子嶺), you'll see signs pointing the way to this place, which is just inland of the small village of Yunshui (澐水).

When you pull into the car park – parking and admission are free – you'll find Fengshan Ecology Garden is actually quite a popular destination on weekends.

Operated by the central government's Council of Agriculture, Fengshan is neither an urban botanical garden nor a forest recreation area. At first glance, it looks like much of the surrounding countryside: Narrow roads connect isolated farming households, and the skyline is dominated by betel nut trees.

But if you spend a little time here, you'll soon notice some special plant and tree species, such as rambutans. You'll have seen rambutans for sale if you've been to Malaysia or Thailand. They taste a bit like litchis, yet externally look very different. The Chinese name, "hong-mao-dan" (紅毛丹, literally "red haired pellet") is entirely apt.

As seems to be the norm throughout Taiwan, the labels affixed to many of the plants and trees here list the species' Chinese name, scientific name and country of origin, but omit the common English name which foreign visitors may be familiar with.

Tahitian apples (Spondias dulcis) grow here, and if you visit at the right time of year, you'll be able to buy some. The trees are around two meters tall. The fruit are considerably smaller than conventional apples, and because of their shape and green hue could easily be mistaken for betel nuts.

More a bush than a tree, the Lipstick Tree (Bixa orellana) is notable for its vivid crimson fruit. It's no surprise that this species has become a popular ornamental plant. The seeds are used in cosmetics – hence the name.

The Jabuticaba, also called Brazilian Grape Tree, bears fruit that do in fact resemble large grapes. They grow directly on the branches and trunks of the tree. Initially light green, then ripening to a purplish black, they can be eaten raw or turned into jellies, juice, wine, or liqueur. Some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory anti-cancer compounds have been isolated from Jabuticaba fruit.

Among the garden's less exotic specimens is a splendid Bougainvillea tree. If you venture up the hill, you'll find a stand of mahogany trees beside a large pond where I was surprised to see a Grey Heron.

The garden's address is 18, Puding, Shenkeng Village, Jhongpu Township (中埔鄉深坑村埔頂18號). The telephone number is (05) 203-1146. The garden, which has a restaurant, is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and until 6 p.m. on weekends. There's a website, but it's in Chinese only: www.feng-shan.com.tw/.