Thousand Island Lake: New Taipei's Hidden Gem of Natural Beauty

Travel Date: 2018/08/31

Thousand Island Lake (百年土角厝)

Today we came to see Thousand Island Lake. My husband mentioned it before, but I wasn't interested until I discovered this place on my own lol. His choices are usually not interesting, which is why I have to make the decisions.

After nearly a 2-hour drive, we arrived at this mountain road, which I find scary. The road was very narrow and difficult to drive on, especially since it's not a one-way road! Encountering a car coming from the opposite direction is really challenging. There is no space to stop or make way for someone else to pass. In the end, we found a place to turn back. We weren't the only ones who gave up and decided to take some pictures from a higher level on the mountain.

The place doesn't have clear signs indicating where to go, only handmade ones by people. That didn't help us find the exact location either. If we get a chance to come here again, we will definitely drive a scooter.

Thousand Island Lake gets its name from a famous attraction in China. This reservoir, surrounded by many hills, creates a similar scenery. Although it's not a natural lake but a man-made reservoir around the mountains, it gives the illusion of many islands.

Feitsui Reservoir, also known as Thousand Island Lake, was built in 1987. Construction took 8 years to complete. The reservoir supplies water to Taipei and New Taipei City. To complete the project, a thousand people were relocated from Bishan Village.

The area is considered to have a perfect climate for tea plantations, such as Wanshan Pouchong or Dong Fang Mei Ren. It is a renowned tea plantation area in North Taiwan. More than 80% of the residents here make a living from growing tea.

 

Address:

223新北市石碇區千島湖

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The Railway Roundhouse in Changhua: A Living History of Taiwan's Railroad Heritage

Travel Date: 2018/08/25

This day didn't start well. We went back to my husband's parents' place to pick something up, but they weren't home... It was quite disappointing since it was a 2-hour drive for nothing. And it was raining the entire time. Due to the lack of parking, we couldn't even have lunch there, so we just drove back home.

As we were passing through Changhua, we had initially planned to stop by Tianwei Highway Garden, but since we had been there a few times already, we decided to change our plans. And that's how we ended up at the Changhua Roundhouse.

Changhua Roundhouse (扇形車庫)

The Changhua Fan-shaped Garage is located in the northern part of Changhua Station. It is a part of the Changhua Locomotive Depot and was built in 1922. The warehouse building is centered around the railway turntable, forming a semi-arc-shaped garage with twelve lanes in a radial pattern. It is one of the legacies of Taiwan's Japanese rule. Initially, the roundhouse had only six stalls, but more stalls were added in 1933.

Currently, the only preserved fan-shaped garage in Taiwan is the county-level monument in Changhua County. In the world, there are only three roundhouses still in use, with the other two located in Mexico.

The purpose of this roundhouse was to maintain and repair locomotives and provide parking space for long-distance trains. For this reason, the place was also called the "locomotive hotel."

Today, it's used as a maintenance depot for diesel and electric trains and is also home to old steam engines. It is the only place in Taiwan where all types of locomotives are serviced.

The garage building is divided into twelve stalls, each with its own rail spur, large enough for one locomotive. It is centered around the turntable and spread out at a 99-degree angle towards the garage. Since steam locomotives can only drive forward, unlike electric or diesel locomotives that have front and rear cockpits for two-way driving, steam locomotives need to be turned around on the transfer platform to change their direction. The locomotives stop on this bridge-like structure and wait for it to turn them in the right position to take their space.

In addition to the Changhua fan-shaped garage, six roundhouses were built in different cities between 1895 and 1945, including Taipei, Hsinchu, Chiayi, and two in Kaohsiung. The first roundhouse was built in Taipei in 1901.

As cities grew and steam locomotives were phased out of service, roundhouses became obsolete. In the 1970s, the roundhouse in Kaohsiung was the first one to be demolished. After the demolition of the other five roundhouses, people realized that if the last one in Changhua was not preserved, the memory of steam locomotives in Taiwan would fade away.

The Taiwan Railway had plans to build a central electric train maintenance base, and the last remaining garage was meant to be dismantled. However, it was saved by local residents and railway enthusiasts. The electric vehicle maintenance base was relocated to the south of Changhua Station. In January 2001, the Changhua County Government designated the roundhouse as a county historic site.

See also: Tianwei Highway Gardens

 

   

  

The fan-shaped garage in the Changhua Locomotive Depot is still actively involved in vehicle maintenance. Visitors can observe the operation of vehicles entering the transfer platform. It is the only living history of the six fan-shaped garages. The garage also houses three steam locomotives (CK101, CK124, and DT668), a steam crane, an electric locomotive (E101), a diesel electric car (R50), and a truck-moving machine (DL1001). However, some exhibits, such as the steam cranes, E101, R50, and DL1001, have been moved to other garages within the Changhua locomotive section and are not currently visible in the fan-shaped garage.

Although the fan-shaped garage has become a permanent monument in Changhua County, if the elevated project is implemented, all the dynamically stored locomotives will no longer be able to enter or exit the fan-shaped garage, turning it into a static museum. Currently, the "Half-line Railway History Studio" is working hard to build a connection line to maintain the normal operation of the fan-shaped garage.

To enter the Changhua Roundhouse, visitors only need to register at the entrance guard room, and group tours can be arranged for more than ten people. The garage is still in service, retaining its maintenance function. Visitors have the opportunity to witness on-site maintenance and observe locomotives departing from the warehouse, experiencing the actual operation of the fan-shaped garage. In addition to the main building and random dynamic displays, there are two robot sculptures in the factory made from discarded parts of the Taichai diesel engine. Construction observation decks, rows of chairs under trees, and open toilets are also available.

It's strictly forbidden to use aerial cameras and self-timers in the plant area, as there are high-voltage electrical equipment and the facility is adjacent to the western trunk line, ensuring safety. Wearing slippers is also strictly prohibited to prevent accidents. If the Changhua County Government issues a natural disaster warning, visits to the roundhouse are immediately halted.

The entry to the Changhua Roundhouse is free of charge, and the opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 13:00 to 16:00, and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 10:00 to 16:00.

 

    

Address: 

500彰化縣彰化市彰美路一段1號臺鐵彰化扇形車庫

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New Taipei Travel: The Shell and Coral Temple ~ Taiwan's Hidden Gem

Travel Date: 2018/08/08

Fufudingshan Shell Temple (富福頂山寺)

The Fufudingshan Shell Temple in the mountains of Taipei is truly a unique and special place. The entire temple is constructed using shells and corals, resembling an underwater palace. Despite being located not close to sea, it's about 20 minutes away drive, but the temple showcases the beauty of marine elements.

Upon arrival, the exterior of the temple may give the impression of an old building, with plenty of parking space. It's only when you head uphill to the temple's entrance that its uniqueness becomes apparent. Due to its secluded location, the temple may not be widely known, resulting in relatively few visitors. 

Asking my Taiwanese husband and his friends, no one heard about shell temple in Taipei before.

The temple itself is an architectural marvel, built with hundreds of corals and over 60,000 shells. It was completed in 1996 after two years of construction, but it's not the only shell temple in Taiwan! There is also one in Changhua - Sanqing Sanyuan Palace Shell Temple. 

At the entrance, you will find two dragon-headed marine turtles guarding the doorway, which is an unconventional feature. Traditionally, a pair of lions is placed at the entrance of temples.

Inside the main room, there is a large sycee (yuanbao) that visitors can rub for good fortune. Sycee was a type of silver or gold currency used during the Qing Dynasty. Since sycee were not standardized by a central bank, they came in various shapes and sizes. Square or oval shapes were common, but there were also boat, flower, and tortoise-shaped sycee. Today, sycee symbolize wealth and prosperity and are often used during Lunar New Year celebrations.

One of the intriguing features of the temple is a tunnel made entirely of shells. Before entering the tunnel, it's customary to burn incense and drink a jug of wine, representing the fondness for wine of Ji Gong, the primary deity of the temple. Ji Gong is said to have appeared in the abbot's dream, instructing him to build a temple resembling a majestic underwater palace. According to legend, Ji Gong was imprisoned in an underwater palace and was captivated by the beauty of the underwater world even after his release. The temple also pays homage to multiple Bodhisattvas and the Eighteen Arhats. Arhats are Buddhist practitioners who have attained a state where reincarnation is no longer necessary, and Nirvana awaits.

There is also a small shop offering various handicrafts made from shells, some of which are truly beautiful. Outside the temple, visitors can also purchase goods and try soup and noodles prepared for temple guests. While the food is provided free of charge, it's customary to make a small donation.

The Fufudingshan Shell Temple is truly a one-of-a-kind destination that showcases the creativity and artistry of incorporating natural elements into a sacred space.

See also: Changhua Shell Temple

See also: Kaohsiung Stone Temple

 

        

 

  

  

Address:

252新北市三芝區69號富福頂山寺(貝殼廟)

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New Taipei Travel: The Beauty of Laomei Green Reef

Laomei Green Reef (老梅綠石槽)

Laomei Green Reef is located in the Shimen District of New Taipei City on the northern coast of Taiwan. We had the opportunity to visit this place twice, during different seasons. The first visit was in August 2018, and we returned in early April 2019. During our first visit, only a small part of the stones were covered in green algae, but the view was already quite remarkable. It's a popular tourist spot, with people photographing and painting this unique sight. Many visitors also walk on the stones, although it is prohibited during the growing season of the algae.

The rocks at Laomei were formed approximately two hundred thousand years ago after the eruption of the Datun volcano. The lava from the volcano shaped the northern coast, and over centuries, weathering and sea erosion sculpted the rocks at Laomei into rows where water easily flows. The seashore is covered by volcanic rocks for about 700 meters. The best time to visit is from April to May when the weather warms up and the algae from the ocean tide completely covers the rocks.

The Datun Volcano Group is a cluster of volcanoes in northern Taiwan. This volcanic group formed through episodic volcanism that occurred between 2.8 to 0.2 million years ago. In 2005, there was some geothermal activity, and gas fumaroles were active in the area. Fumaroles are openings in the ground that emit steam and gases. It is also possible that magma chambers still exist beneath the surface in northern Taiwan.

Green algae is a diverse group of more than 7,000 species that grow in various habitats. The bright green color of the algae is due to chlorophyll, which they use to capture light energy for photosynthesis and sugar production. When the weather becomes hot, the algae die, and the rocks return to their natural color. The seawater and beach in this area appear very clean, contributing to the overall beauty of the view.

Apart from the stunning Laomei Green Reef, this region is also known for the blooming of blanket flowers. These flowers were imported from North America in the 20th century and can be found throughout the northern coast of Taiwan. The flowers bloom from May to August, adding another colorful spectacle to the area.

See also: Yehliu Geopark

See also: Fufudingshan Shell Temple

Laomei Green Reef in August:

 

 

Address:

253新北市石門區老梅綠石槽

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