Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake located in the Snow Mountain Range of Taiwan. It has a cirque slope to the south and a terminal moraine ridge to the north, suggesting that it may have been formed by glacial erosion as a cirque lake. Situated within Shei-Pa National Park, in Tai’an Township, Miaoli County, it sits at an elevation of 3,520 meters, making it the highest natural lake in Taiwan.

The lake has an oval shape with an opening on the northern side, through which water flows out to form the Snow Mountain Stream. The Snow Mountain Stream converges with other streams such as the Greater Snow Stream and the Madala Stream before flowing into the Da’an River. To the northeast, there are two moraine ridges extending northwestward, approximately 50 and 60 meters in length and about 3 meters in height respectively. The Snow Mountain Stream passes through these two ridges, forming a small gorge. To the south is a scree slope, part of the Snow Mountain’s No. 7 cirque, which feeds groundwater runoff and serves as the source of water for Emerald Lake.

The lakebed is covered with slate fragments, hence its Atayal name “Siron Hagai,” meaning “stone pool.” The entire lake is about 40 meters long and 20 meters wide. Its water level fluctuates depending on rainfall; during wet seasons, the water can reach a depth of 1 meter, while in dry periods, only the central depression retains water. However, it never dries up entirely throughout the year, nor does it freeze in winter. The area surrounding the lake is home to Taiwan’s largest pure stand of Taiwan red cypress (Chamaecyparis formosensis), featuring towering trees and an exceptionally majestic landscape.

CuiChi

Must-visit reason: Taiwan’s highest natural lake