06 Abode of Maya (Chang Dai-chen Residence)
The elegantly furnished first-floor reception hall is adorned with the Chiang Kai-shek Order of Brilliant Star, which Chang received in 1982, as well as a group photo with two major painters from the Chinese and Western worlds, Pu Xinyu and Pablo Picasso. In the dining room, visitors can see Chang’s handwritten menu “Feast Invitation”, depicting banquets held for General Chang Hsueh-liang and his wife and old friends. The large studio is the scene of his creation of the magnificent ink-and-color masterpiece “Panorama of Mount Lu”, with a lifelike wax figure of Chang painting with a brush. The walls are adorned with commemorative photos, like one with him standing in front of the Dunhuang Caves, as well as photos of his elder brother and calligraphic works and paintings by his mother and his teachers.
In the garden, the meandering streams murmur, koi fish swim in the pond, and the ambiance of playful monkeys and crane calls seems to be revived. The courtyard is further adorned with the plum trees beloved by Chang, and the landscaping with flowing water, stacked stones, and bonsai reveals his elegant taste in gardening. On a massive rock in the backyard, the words “Plum Hill” are carved in his own handwriting, marking his final resting place. The small path by the Ying'e Pond in the backyard leads to two pavilions, from where one can take in the distant mountains and nearby waters of the Waishuangxi area, showcasing the ingenious “borrowed scenery” design. Visiting here, one can appreciate the elegant taste in garden landscaping, which is another manifestation of Chang Dai-chien’s aesthetic philosophy, beyond his diligent painting practice.
