The Legend of the Fairy Scattering Pearl-Like Lakes in the Forest

By MOOK Travel Christopher | Compiled & Reported

The legend tells of a fairy who, while putting on her makeup, accidentally broke the mirror in her hand. The shards scattered like pearls across the mountainous areas of Yilan, forming a series of stunning, pearl-like alpine lakes — the Jiaoluo Lake Group, which is why they are also known as the "Scattered Pearls." Located near the Siji Tribe in Datong Township, Yilan, the Jiaoluo Lakes are scattered along the central mountain range ridge between Nanhu Mountain and Taiping Mountain. Accessible via the Siji Forest Road, the journey takes you through dense, fog-shrouded forests. As you approach the Jiaoluo Lake Group, you’ll be greeted by vast alpine meadows interspersed with bamboo, cypress, and hemlock — a truly breathtaking and beautiful sight.

Among the more than 20 lakes in the area, Jiaoluo Lake, Weidan Pool, Haomai Pool, and Tuitui Pool offer reflections of the sky, clouds, and cedar forests on their crystal-clear waters, enhanced by the surrounding deadwood — a surreal beauty that’s hard to put into words. When shrouded in mist and wandering through the forest, it feels like stepping into a fantastical scene from the Lord of the Rings, making it a perfect destination for adventurers and explorers.