Birdwatching in the city and observing water buffaloes: Taipei’s newest wetland, Guandu Nature Park

▲ Guandu Nature Park features numerous winding paths that allow visitors to enjoy nature while strolling.

Intern Reporter Xu Jiaqi reporting and photography from Taipei

Guandu is Taipei’s largest wetland, but many people may not know that within this wetland liesGuandu Nature Park, which is dedicated to protecting water birds and preserving natural ecosystems, allowing urban children to experience a rare green space in Taipei without having to travel far to the countryside, where they can observe seldom-seen city dwellers such as water buffaloes, mudskippers, and fiddler crabs.

▲ At Guandu Nature Park, you can observe water buffaloes and fiddler crabs (top left and right). The park’s birdwatching huts, both exterior and interior (bottom left and right), allow visitors to watch bird activities without disturbing them.

Guandu Nature Park is located at the confluence of the Tamsui River and the Keelung River, covering a vast area of 57 hectares. The park is home to over 200 species of birds and is recognized as an important bird habitat by BirdLife International. To avoid disturbing the birds’ lives, the park has set up three birdwatching huts where visitors can quietly observe bird activities through viewing windows. If you're curious about the complex world of birds, there's no need to worry about missing out—volunteer guides are on hand to provide insightful explanations. To see the birds in action, just bring your curiosity; no special equipment is needed, as the park offers military-grade binoculars for a clear view.

▲ The Nature Center on the second floor of Guandu Nature Park has military binoculars available for public use (left image). Creative DIY courses require advance booking (right image).

The Nature Center is the most prominent structure in Guandu Nature Park. The first floor houses ecological photo exhibitions and a creative DIY area, where visitors can use readily available natural materials to create imaginative and practical works based on various ecological themes. The second floor not only features a birdwatching observation area but also includes a café that serves dishes like pasta and duck-shaped cheese (Bottom left) and so on. The tour guide said that the coffee here is all freshly ground and very tasty, and the cheese shapes are really cute.

Additionally, you don’t have to go to an art gallery to see installation art. Guandu Nature Park also showcases one-of-a-kind artworks. Each year, the park sets a theme for natural installation art and invites artists from around the world to collaborate. This year’s theme is“The Life of Seeds”(top right, aiming to spread awareness about environmental conservation through artistic creations inspired by nature.

【Guandu Nature Park】

Address: No. 55, Guandu Road, Beitou District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-28587417
Hours: Summer hours (April–September) Weekdays: 9:00–17:00, Holidays until 18:00
Winter hours (October–March) Weekdays: 9:00–17:00, Holidays until 17:30
Admission: General admission NT$50, Concession NT$30, Senior NT$25