Not Just Hydrangeas and Calla Lilies: The Zhushui Liao Trail in Zhuzihu Transforms Into a Hidden Walking Gem

▲ The revitalized Zhushui Liao regains its former charm.

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When many people think of Zhuzihu, they often picture calla lilies and hydrangeas. In fact, during the Japanese colonial period, Zhuzihu was the birthplace of Penglai rice and was known as the homeland of this variety. This year, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Public Works’ Geotechnical Engineering Office completed environmental improvements at the site of the Zhushui Liao Rice Mill, not only reviving the charm of the old mill but also revealing that, once you step back into Zhushui Liao, it feels like a hidden retreat in Zhuzihu. With its tranquil woods and streams, it’s a perfect spot for a relaxing stroll.

▲ The Zhushui Liao Trail is ideal for walking.

▲ A glass structure evokes the imagery of a harvest platform.

During the Japanese colonial era, Zhuzihu was considered highly suitable for cultivating original strains of Japanese rice due to its high elevation, cool temperatures, clean water, and enclosed terrain. This year, the Geotechnical Engineering Office centered its efforts around Zhushui Liao in Dinghu, Zhuzihu, connecting the historic rice transport path — the Zhushui Liao Trail — with the newly completed irrigation channel footpath to form a circular network. This offers the public diverse new ways to explore the mountains. Starting from the Zhuzihu Penglai Rice Story Museum, visitors can wander through farmland irrigation channels and fields of hydrangeas, ending at the original strain rice paddies to relive the history of Penglai rice.

▲ Besides flower fields, Zhushui Liao also features streams and shaded groves.

▲ A waterwheel designed to resemble a harvest platform.

Along the irrigation channel, you can listen to the gentle babble of the stream, while sunlight filtering through the leaves creates beautiful shade, making for a very pleasant walk. The Geotechnical Engineering Office has also specially planned four resting areas along the channel, themed around the four seasons: spring plowing, summer tending, autumn harvest, and winter storage. These include representations such as an ox plowing a field in spring, a rice mill celebrating the harvest in autumn, and a barn woven with straw in winter — all great spots for photos.

▲ The barn at the Winter Storage area.

▲ Stepping into Zhushui Liao reveals a different side of Zhuzihu.

Zhushui Liao Irrigation Channel
Transportation: Take bus 小8 or 小9 and get off at the “Zhuzihu (Hutian Elementary School)” stop, then walk about 5 minutes along the Zhushui Liao Trail.