Secret green oases in the city: Zhongdu Wetland Park

Text & Photography / Kaohsiung City - Department of Information
 
 Mangroves can be found along Taiwan’s west coast. By closely observing the areas where rivers meet the sea, you can spot clusters of green plants such as Kandelia obovata, Rhizophora stylosa, Avicennia marina, and Lumnitzera racemosa. Many places have also installed wooden boardwalks or walking trails, allowing visitors to get up close and observe the rich intertidal ecology. Areas like Tamsui Mangrove, Xinfeng in Hsinchu, and Sicao in Tainan are all well-known mangrove ecological zones. Compared to suburban mangrove areas, there is a world-class wetland park right in downtown Kaohsiung that boasts diverse mangrove ecosystems. Without having to venture too far out, you can get close to nature — this place is called “Zhongdu Wetland Park.”

Get close to nature — a world-class park is just around the corner
Known as a world-class wetland park, Zhongdu Wetland Park was awarded the first prize in the Environmental Restoration category of the FIABCI World Prix d'Excellence Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the architecture world” and renowned internationally. As soon as you walk into the park’s trails, you’ll see a uniquely designed building — the Visitor Center. Inside, there are simple exhibitions and guided tours available, serving both ecological education and monitoring purposes.

The park has three suspension bridges where visitors can stand and observe the mangrove ecology on the water’s surface. There is also the Central Ecology Bridge and a waterfront scenic area, where birds often skim across the water and gracefully perch along the shore. Numerous bird species can be spotted here, such as little egrets, purple swamphens, tree sparrows, and kingfishers. Mudskippers and fiddler crabs can be seen on the pond bottom. People can sit nearby and experience an up-close connection with nature.

Because the wetland park is a protected area for ecological restoration, all artificial architectural designs must blend with nature. Even the surrounding building density and height are specially regulated. Therefore, when you look westward from the park, you’re greeted by an open, unobstructed sky, the lush and elegant Shoushan mountain range with its undulating ridges, and softly overlapping clouds. This beautiful scene where blue skies and greenery intertwine is the most precious green oasis in a bustling city.

Come to Zhongdu Wetland Park on a holiday, enjoy the breeze, watch the birds, rest under old trees, observe the mangrove ecology, and experience the most harmonious connection between humans and nature.

【INFO】
Zhongdu Wetland Park
Intersection of Tongmeng 3rd Road and Shiquan 3rd Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City

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