Leisurely Qiuhonggu Valley Park – Enjoy a Little Urban Bliss

▲ We arrived at a time when the sun was about to set in the evening, casting a bit of warmth through the gaps between the buildings.

Photo & Text /sya

Located in Xitun District, Taichung, Qiuhonggu is a large flood detention basin park enclosed by Taiwan Boulevard, Chaofu Road, Municipal North 7th Road, and Henan Road. Covering an area of approximately 30,000 square meters, it was officially opened on November 25, 2012, and has since become a popular recreational spot for both locals and tourists.

This site was originally intended for the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center, but due to ongoing delays, the project was eventually abandoned and transformed into the current Qiuhonggu. There is a paid surface parking lot on the south side of the park that accommodates motorcycles and cars, though the number of car spaces is relatively limited.

At first glance, Qiuhonggu may seem similar to the larger Taipei Metro Da’an Forest Park Station, but walking in reveals a different vibe.

Near the pond, there’s a designated performance area where the sound of street musicians fills the air, drawing a circle of visitors immersed in the melodies. A leisurely atmosphere naturally spreads throughout Qiuhonggu. The park features unique wood-chip pathways that prevent muddy shoe soles during rain and offer an unusually soft walking experience.

Though it’s just a small touch of ingenuity, it’s a very practical design. On the east side of Qiuhonggu stands a building called “Happy Little Water Dance,” which serves as a dining spot. We didn’t go in this time, but later saw online that the interior is decorated in bright, vivid red hues, and the food seems quite refined.

▲ A panoramic view of Qiuhonggu – though not large in size, it’s a lovely green space within the city.


▲ The pond surface, the Little Water Dance, and the surrounding buildings shine especially brightly under the setting sun.




▲ The performance area by the pond features amateur singers putting on shows.

Although the space at Qiuhonggu is relatively spacious, it still lacks a good number of trees. During the winter season, the slightly yellowing grass gives the area a somewhat desolate feel. Having some tall, upright trees could really enhance the scenery.

Thinking back, Da’an Forest Park in Taipei was just completed when I was in high school. Back then, most of the plants were short or bare, but after twenty years, it’s now almost a dense little forest. I hope that the next time I visit Qiuhonggu, I’ll see a completely different landscape.

※ This article is provided by “sya (Saiya)’s Travel Blog.”