Yuanyang Lake in Yilan

Yuanyang Lake in Yilan

Yuanyang Lake is situated in the remote mountains at the junction of Hsinchu and Yilan counties and is one of the upper tributaries of the Tamsui River. With an elevation of around 1,670 meters, the lake spans 575 meters in length and 200 meters in width, covering an area of about 3.6 hectares—shaped much like a spoon. The lake’s name comes from the many mandarin ducks that often inhabit its waters. Legend says there was once a young couple, childhood sweethearts, where the man tragically drowned in the lake while hunting, prompting his beloved to leap in after him. Their deep love moved heaven, and the lake deity transformed them into a pair of mandarin ducks, forever swimming together on the lake. Though the legend is poignant, it is the mysterious and enchanting scenery of Yuanyang Lake—like a misty fairyland—that truly captivates visitors.

Due to its location in northeastern Taiwan and high altitude, the spoon-shaped valley traps the cool, damp air of the northeast monsoon, often shrouding the lake surface in thick fog, lending it a mysterious and profound aura. The moist environment also fosters a unique ecological system. Coupled with its remoteness and minimal human disturbance, the aquatic ecosystem remains intact, making it a nature reserve. The protected area not only includes the lake itself but also surrounding wetlands and native cypress forests, covering a total of 374 hectares.

Access begins at the reserve gate along Forest Road 100. A roughly 1-kilometer trail leads to the lakeshore, lined with pristine, dense forest. Upon reaching the lake, a gravel path continues halfway around the perimeter. Along the trail, fallen trees often lie across the path, requiring visitors to duck and weave through. Occasionally, the faint calls of “gu-ge-gu” from the abdominal-spotted frog can be heard. When the fog lifts, the clear lake surface becomes a perfect mirror, with mandarin ducks and mallards gliding gently across the water—a serene and tranquil scene.

Transportation Guide: Take a Ubus bus from Yilan or Luodong train stations heading to Lishan, Nanshan, or Taipingshan, and get off at Qilan Nursery. Alternatively, take a Yilan Bus from Yilan to Balin and disembark at Mingchi Forest Recreation Area, then transfer to a special shuttle to reach the lake. However, these buses run infrequently.

Special Notes: Yuanyang Lake is now a designated nature reserve. Hunting or any activities that damage or alter the local ecology are strictly prohibited; access is limited to academic research groups only. Visitors must obtain a Type A mountain entry permit and also apply for a protected area access license from the Veterans Affairs Council’s Reforestation and Conservation Management Office. The office address is No. 100, LinSen Road, Yilan City, and the contact number is (03) 938-2420 ext. 220 (please inquire with the Recreation Section).