In an exclusive interview, we caught up with 28-year-old Chuan-Jen Jan, a young Taiwanese entrepreneur who has made Chengdu his home while delving into the world of orchid cultivation.

“I’ve been in Chengdu for over a year now, and it feels just like home to me—there’s no sense of being a stranger here,” Chuan-Jen shared as he tended to a butterfly orchid at the Tai Li Orchid Garden in Zhanqi Village. This unique species, introduced from Taiwan, is part of his mission to cultivate and promote the beauty of orchids in Chengdu.

Originally from Taipei, Chuan-Jen studied finance in college and spent some years working in Australia. However, when the pandemic hit, he returned to Taiwan, often feeling adrift and lacking direction for the future. It was a chance conversation with his uncle, who runs a floral business in Chengdu, that opened his eyes to the potential for agricultural development in the region, particularly in the context of China’s rural revitalization efforts. Encouraged by this insight, he decided to give it a shot.

Initially, Chuan-Jen settled in Zhanqi Village, helping with the orchid cultivation and engaging with local villagers. He became accustomed to the slower pace of rural life, filled with activities like weeding, watering, and breeding orchids. It wasn’t long before he felt a deep sense of belonging. By March 2023, he officially moved to Chengdu, committed to rooting himself here just as the orchids do.

With a lifelong passion for plants, Chuan-Jen holds a particular fondness for orchids. “In Taiwan, we have decades of experience with orchid cultivation, and while many older generations viewed it as a hobby, the demand for orchids as a commodity is booming on the mainland,” he noted, indicating his keen awareness of shifting market trends.

At Tai Li Orchid Garden, there are hundreds of orchid varieties imported from Taiwan, including Cattleya and Phalaenopsis. Since butterfly orchid seeds don’t germinate naturally, they must undergo tissue culture to produce seedlings, followed by processes like planting, shaping, and forcing blooms, all of which can take one to two years. For more than a year, Chuan-Jen has dedicated most of his time to the breeding lab.

Each day, he monitors pests, weather conditions, nutrients, and moisture levels. Transitioning from a corporate office role to life as a “flower farmer” has been a substantial change, but Chuan-Jen emphasizes, “This is the lifestyle I’ve always wanted.” He approaches the lengthy process of breeding new orchid varieties with patience, understanding that it takes time—a trait he has fully embraced.

At the entrance of the flower greenhouse, a striking display of butterfly orchids blooms under a large tree, a scenic design he created called the “Tree of Life.” Nearby, colorful miniature boats representing Orchid Island, known for its rich orchid production in eastern Taiwan, sit as a tribute to his roots. Chuan-Jen plans to showcase these boats at the 2024 Chengdu World Horticultural Expo.

As part of the Taiwanese Orchid Breeders Association’s exhibition, he oversees the supply and care of their orchids, welcoming numerous visitors over the past six months. “This is a great opportunity to share top-quality Taiwanese varieties with our compatriots,” he explained, hoping that the expo will pave the way for more developed industrial cooperation between the two sides.

For Chuan-Jen, Chengdu’s nurturing environment has allowed him to thrive. “They say Sichuan cuisine is spicy, but I got used to it in just a week,” he laughed. Daily interactions with villagers and invitations to gatherings from local business owners have made him feel right at home.

While the pace of life may be slow, his ambitions are anything but. Chuan-Jen aims to establish a genetic preservation center for orchids in Chengdu, aspiring to make the city a breeding hub in Southwestern China, and even a “capital of orchids.” When discussing the interest from other Taiwanese youth in seeking opportunities on the mainland, he warmly encourages, “Come on over! The ‘climate’ here is very suitable. Just remember, it’s important to dive deeply into your field of expertise.”