So poetic and picturesque—a hidden emerald gem in the hills of Xizhi, the "mini version" of Dream Lake

▲ Ruyi Lake is also called the “Little Dream Lake,” and the mountain-lake scenery resembles a hidden emerald paradise (Photo / netizencheng.pozenProvided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The New Mountain Dream Lake has recently become a huge hit, but many people don’t know that nearby there’s another spot known as the “Little Dream Lake”—Ruyi Lake. Though not as expansive as Dream Lake, it is surrounded by mountains, and under the sunlight, the tree shadows are vividly reflected on the lake surface, making it perfect for taking incredibly atmospheric photos. Especially in the summer, with dragonflies fluttering and frogs chirping along with birdsong, Ruyi Lake is full of vitality. Without the hustle and bustle of New Mountain Dream Lake, it offers a different kind of serene beauty.

Ruyi Lake, formerly known as Quan Lake, is a tranquil small lake surrounded by mountains on three sides. Accessible from Section 3 of Xiwang Road, about 8.5 km along County Road 29 North, a roughly 340-meter uphill hike will lead you to Ruyi Lake. Because it requires climbing a short but steep slope, most travelers tend not to find it, which contributes to its isolated and untouched charm.A special reminder to visitors: take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints—preserve this hidden paradise.

▲ Ruyi Lake is somewhat of an off-the-beaten-path attraction; usually, the Golden Bright Mountain and Kezilin Mountain trails are included as main itinerary stops (Photo / netizenjianwei0203Provided. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Ruyi Lake isn’t very big, and it is usually included as part of a route that also features the Golden Bright Mountain and Kezilin Mountain trails. A loop around takes about one to two hours. According to hiking enthusiasts, the rocky ridgeline of Golden Bright Mountain bears some resemblance to that of New Mountain, but with a gentler slope. Once you reach the summit at 392 meters above sea level, the views are expansive—you can see New Mountain, Five Finger Mountain, Dajian Mountain, and Keelung Mountain.

Ruyi Lake
Location: Section 3 of Xiwang Road, Xizhi District, New Taipei City. Enter the mountains from about 8.5 km along County Road 29 North; it's a roughly 340-meter walk to reach the lake. (GPS navigation: Ruyi Lake)