Haomeiliao Wetlands

Haomeiliao Wetlands

The Haomeiliao Wetlands are situated between the mouths of the Bazhang River and Longgong River in Budai Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan. They are part of the "Yunlin–Chiayi–Tainan Coastal National Scenic Area" managed by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, as well as the "Haomeiliao Nature Reserve Plan" under Taiwan’s coastal natural environment protection program, which was approved by the Executive Yuan in 1987. The reserve includes floating islands, lagoons, casuarina forests, and mangrove landscapes along the northern bank of the Longgong River. In addition, the fish ponds and nearby salt fields in the area attract numerous migratory birds that come here to overwinter, nest, and forage each year, creating a spectacular sight.

The mangroves in the Haomeiliao Wetlands have a history of over a hundred years. During the Japanese colonial period, Japanese botanist Kinpei Shimizu mentioned in his book "Trees of Taiwan" that the Japanese government should designate this area as a natural monument forest. In 1987, during the development of mechanized salt fields by Taiwan Salt Industrial Corporation in the Haomeiliao Wetlands, an earthen dike was built through the mangroves, resulting in the removal of about one-third of them. Today, most of the mangroves outside the dike have died, while only about 25 hectares of mangroves remain inside. The main plant species now are mostly Kandelia obovata, mixed with small amounts of other vegetation such as Myrsine africana, Rhizophora stylosa, and herbaceous plants like Limonium sinense and Batis maritima. To preserve the original wetland landscape, the Executive Yuan approved the implementation of the "Taiwan Coastal Natural Environment Protection Program" in 1987, establishing the "Haomeiliao Nature Reserve." It has since become a renowned destination for wetland landscape tourism.

Meihaoliao Wet Land

Must-visit reason: One of Taiwan’s most important wetland reserves

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Taiwan[Taiwan]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Chiayi County [Chiayi County]

City where the attraction is located: Budai Township [Budai Township]