Winter Mini-Trip in Xindian Community: Migratory Birds and Butterflies Are Here, Enjoy the Scenery from the Viewing Platform

The Xindian Galaxy Community is a rural regeneration community supported by New Taipei City. Located in the mountainous area of Xindian adjacent to Maokong in Taipei City, the community is home to the Meiziliao Stream. Visitors can also hike to the Galaxy Cave Waterfall via the Galaxy Cave Transmountain Trail. With its rich ecosystem of mid- to low-altitude bird and butterfly species, the area attracts many tourists.

The Galaxy Community neighbors Maokong via the Zhanghu Trail. To promote ecotourism, the community has established an ecotourism hub, aiming to connect local attractions such as the Galaxy Cave Waterfall and terraced rice paddies with Maokong. Tired hikers can rest here, and the hub also helps promote the community’s specialty agricultural products.

These include products like green bamboo shoots and tea. Moreover, the hub’s location offers a great view of the community valley and a stunning sunset. Therefore, the community applied for funding to build a viewing platform and improve the surroundings of the hub, with construction assisted by New Taipei City Government.

The Agriculture Bureau stated that this project is part of the Rural Regeneration Plan. In addition to constructing a viewing platform, the project also addressed slope instability and landslides caused by typhoons and heavy rain through drainage improvements and slope stabilization measures. Once completed, the viewing platform will offer views of the valley, birdwatching opportunities, and a beautiful sunset, providing a safe resting space for visitors and boosting surrounding ecotourism.

Lin Ligang, General Manager of the Galaxy Community, said that the ecotourism hub is a key facility for community development. He expressed gratitude to the city government’s construction team for their efforts and for engaging in multiple discussions with the community on the project layout, successfully completing the work and moving the community one step forward in promoting ecotourism.

Hike to the Galaxy Cave Waterfall via the Galaxy Cave Transmountain Trail, and enjoy the area's rich ecosystem of mid- to low-altitude birds and butterflies, attracting many tourists. (Provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)