The layered water terraces are so beautiful！ Gongliao’s hidden gem “Lake on the Mountain” opens to the public for the first time

▲ New Taipei City’s Gongliao water terraces, “Lake on the Mountain,” open to the public for the first time, allowing visitors to experience farm life. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Reported by Chen Ziyin / Taipei

Nestled among the mountains in New Taipei City are many lesser-known scenic spots, and the beautiful “water terraces” are one of them. Gongliao’s “Lake on the Mountain” is a hidden gem of sloping water terraces that has recently opened to the public for the first time, offering visitors the chance to tour the area, paddle small boats, and even experience rice planting.

Huang Jiawen, head of the Forestry Section at New Taipei City’s Agriculture Bureau, said that the water terraces in Gongliao have long practiced friendly farming methods, thus maintaining clean and unpolluted water sources. The area is also home to protected species such as the crab-eating macaque and Formosan serow. Huang further explained that Lake on the Mountain was originally farmland managed by private farmers, and this collaboration to allow visitors to experience farm life is quite rare. To promote eco-friendly agriculture, the bureau has also been actively assisting farmers in areas like Shimen and Sanzhi to resume cultivation or negotiating with farmers to launch related experience activities, enabling visitors to enjoy the scenery while learning about farming.

On April 19, the New Taipei City Government Agriculture Bureau, in collaboration with local farmers, will lead the public in an authentic farm experience. Visitors can enjoy local specialty meals and homemade herbal tea, explore the cultural ruins of the Ketagalan people, search for traces of protected animals such as the crab-eating macaque and Formosan serow, take part in a stream ecology tour, and engage in hands-on rural craft DIY activities. Registration opens at 2:00 PM on April 7 via phone, and will be accepted until all spots are filled. (Due to the unique terrain and safety concerns of the water terraces, only adults and children in the first grade of elementary school or above are allowed to register. The registration fee is NT$680 per person. Registration hotline: Green Living Museum 02 2964-7950)

▲ The beautiful water terraces of Lake on the Mountain in autumn and winter. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Additionally, Gongliao’s famous Taoyuan Valley is home to hundreds of cattle, a rare sight in the otherwise highly urbanized New Taipei City. Due to the unique geographical environment of Gongliao’s water terraces, cattle were once an indispensable helper for farmers. However, as rural areas gradually decline, these cattle are facing “retirement.” A few local farmers still practice traditional ox-plowing, creating a distinctive ox-farming culture. The Agriculture Bureau urges the public to avoid disturbing the cattle when visiting Taoyuan Valley and not to set up tents or camp there to prevent any danger.