Yiwu Retarding Basin Bicycle Path in Kouhu Completed – Family Fun, Sports, and Nature Experiences

▲ The Yiwu Retarding Basin in Kouhu Township completed its surrounding bicycle path last year, offering cyclists a chance to experience the local ecology. (Photo / From the 2013 Yunlin Agricultural Expo Fan Page)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Yiwu Retarding Basin in Kouhu Township, Yunlin, was successfully completed after two years of construction. It effectively absorbs heavy rainfall from typhoons, freeing the Kouhu and Shuilin areas from the threat of flooding. With the completion of the cycling path around the basin, it has also become a new destination for leisure and exercise.

▲ Water puddles formed by typhoons unexpectedly gave this area a unique landscape. (Photo / From the 2013 Yunlin Agricultural Expo Fan Website)

The county government’s Water Resources Department noted that when Typhoon Wayne hit in 1986, low-lying roads combined with seawater backflow turned the coastal lowlands into a lake, accidentally creating a long-term water accumulation situation at the Taiwan Sugar Yiwu Farm. It has now been transformed into a retarding basin, not only sparing residents from flood disasters but also creating an ecological park.

▲ The ecologically rich Yiwu Retarding Basin is a great place for families to exercise and connect with nature. (Photo / From the 2013 Yunlin Agricultural Expo Fan Website)

According to surveys,Over the past year, the Yiwu Retarding Basin has recorded hundreds of species of birds and benthic organisms, showcasing a highly diverse ecosystem, making it an ideal location for both recreation and ecological education. Nearby bird species include the Oriental stork, black-winged kite, cattle egret, intermediate egret, coucal, purple swamphen, kingfisher, and pheasant-tailed jacana; fish, shrimp, and crab species include stone moroko, swimming crabs, redtail prawns, tiger prawns, and mud crabs; benthic organisms include mangrove clams, mountain pepper snails, and nereid worms, reflecting rich biodiversity.

The Yiwu Farm spans approximately 340 hectares, of which 100 hectares are allocated for the retarding basin and the surrounding bicycle path. The remaining land is preserved in its natural state, providing ecological protection and maintaining biodiversity. This represents a coexistence approach to water management between humans and water. Cycling along the figure-eight-shaped path around the basin during dusk offers breathtaking elevated views.