Qiandao Lake (千島湖, also known as Thousand Island Lake) is located in New Taipei City between Taipei City and Yilan. There was no such attraction called Qiandao Lake before the Feitsui Dam (翡翠水庫) was built. The Feitsui Dam started construction on August 1979 and was completed in June 1987. It is the 2nd largest dam (capacity) in Taiwan next to the Zengwen Dam (曾文水庫) located in Chiayi (嘉義). Qiandao Lake is part of the Feitsui reservoir, which was named later by locals because it has many islands after most of the mountains’ peaks were under the reservoir.
Qiandao Lake is not so far away from Taipei City. We drove via Highway 5 to this beautiful natural wonderland in less an hour. Once you turned onto the Beiyi Road (北宜公路, Provincial Highway 9), look for the sign (千島湖 only Chinese) and follow the road to the destination. Because most parts of the road are narrow, you need to park at where you would not obstruct the traffic. We normally make a quick stop at a location where there is a panoramic view of the lake and islands. You can also find the tea plantation here. Of course, it is a perfect location to take photos as well. Continue driving to a location where you see public parking and park if possible. Otherwise, further down you can find a private parking not very far away. You can find a small road before the public parking that leads to a small store for drinks. It is a perfect location overlooking the renowned Bagua Tea Garden (八卦茶園) before you enter the Baqua Tea Garden. Driving to the Baqua Tea Garden is challenging because you can hardly find parking on the narrow road. The only parking near the location is the restaurant at the Bagua Tea Garden, but only limited space is available. You can have a drink or meal before you explore nearby and go to the Baqua viewing platform (八卦觀景台) to enjoy the view. If you have more time here, you can hike the Yong'an Mountain Trail (永安景觀步道) to discover the beauty of the reservoir.
What worries me the most is the over development of the site because it is a water reservation dam for drinking. Too many tea farms will pollute the water and are not good for soil and water conservation. Feitsui Dam and reservoir are not open to public unlike other dams in Taiwan. So far the Feitsui Dam is the best in the soil and water conservation in Taiwan. If you like taking public transportation, you can take MRT to Xindian Station from Taipei City and then take Bus Green 12 in the front of the station. Look for the bus stop “Shih San Gu” (十三股). Be aware there are only 12 scheduled buses per day on weekdays.
Qiandao Lake is not so far away from Taipei City. We drove via Highway 5 to this beautiful natural wonderland in less an hour. Once you turned onto the Beiyi Road (北宜公路, Provincial Highway 9), look for the sign (千島湖 only Chinese) and follow the road to the destination. Because most parts of the road are narrow, you need to park at where you would not obstruct the traffic. We normally make a quick stop at a location where there is a panoramic view of the lake and islands. You can also find the tea plantation here. Of course, it is a perfect location to take photos as well. Continue driving to a location where you see public parking and park if possible. Otherwise, further down you can find a private parking not very far away. You can find a small road before the public parking that leads to a small store for drinks. It is a perfect location overlooking the renowned Bagua Tea Garden (八卦茶園) before you enter the Baqua Tea Garden. Driving to the Baqua Tea Garden is challenging because you can hardly find parking on the narrow road. The only parking near the location is the restaurant at the Bagua Tea Garden, but only limited space is available. You can have a drink or meal before you explore nearby and go to the Baqua viewing platform (八卦觀景台) to enjoy the view. If you have more time here, you can hike the Yong'an Mountain Trail (永安景觀步道) to discover the beauty of the reservoir.
What worries me the most is the over development of the site because it is a water reservation dam for drinking. Too many tea farms will pollute the water and are not good for soil and water conservation. Feitsui Dam and reservoir are not open to public unlike other dams in Taiwan. So far the Feitsui Dam is the best in the soil and water conservation in Taiwan. If you like taking public transportation, you can take MRT to Xindian Station from Taipei City and then take Bus Green 12 in the front of the station. Look for the bus stop “Shih San Gu” (十三股). Be aware there are only 12 scheduled buses per day on weekdays.
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James Huang - All rights reserved.
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