A miniature chapel floats on the surface of "Bihetan" Lake, surrounded by cherry blossoms and mist like an Impressionist painting

▲ A miniature chapel sits in the center of Bihetan Lake, with a statue of the Virgin Mary on a small island (Photo/Netizen)sam_kao0119(Please do not reproduce the photo without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

By Peng Huaiyu / Comprehensive Report

Hualien has a new hidden gem: "Bihetan," nestled within the Dajiahan Tribe, is a local secret spot that has recently gained popularity due to its blooming cherry blossoms. Amazingly, there's an outdoor miniature chapel in the lake, with a statue of the Virgin Mary standing on a small island, its solemn presence captivating visitors. The mist often shrouds the area, giving the lake a hazy, dreamy look, accented by the soft pink of cherry blossoms—like a scene from an Impressionist painting.

▲ The mist often shrouds the area, giving the lake a hazy, dreamy look, like a scene from an Impressionist painting. (Photo/Netizen)f950242(Please do not reproduce the photo without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

Located at an altitude of 441 meters, "Bihetan" is surrounded by lush green mountains and clear waters, adding to its ethereal beauty. Along the way, you can see locals growing ginger and mountain pepper. Apart from nearby parishioners who come for worship, the area has not been heavily developed—even many locals may not know about this hidden gem. As a result, it retains an untouched charm, with visitors calling it Hualien’s version of Yunshan Water or Jioming Lake.

Most tribal residents are Catholic and attend Mass here every Saturday morning. Since 2014, the local government has restored the floating bridge and the Virgin Mary statue in the lake, built viewing platforms and pavilions, and planted over 30 cherry blossom trees along with various flowers. Future development will focus on preserving the local environment while promoting tourism.

Visitors can walk the 360-degree lakeside trail to quietly admire the newly planted cherry trees. On sunny days, the lake reflects the layered mountains, creating a fairy-tale-like scene that is truly breathtaking.

▲ On sunny days, the lake reflects the layered mountains, creating a fairy-tale-like scene (Photo/Netizen)jamesk1014(Please do not reproduce the photo without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

It’s worth noting that this beautiful environment relies on everyone’s care. Please keep noise to a minimum, preserve the tranquility of the mountains, and remember to take your trash with you.

Bihetan
Location: Mingli Village, Wanrong Township, Hualien County
Transportation: Head south on Highway 9, turn into Wanrong Village, then follow Road 16 west for about 6 km. The mountain road has steep slopes, so drive carefully.