Huzi Lake Calla Lily Season Begins: Master Transportation and Must-Visit Attractions

The Huzi Lake area is located in the central part of Yangmingshan National Park and has traditionally been divided into three enclosed regions—Donghu (East Lake), Dinghu (Top Lake), and Xiahua (Lower Lake). Near the entrance to Huzi Lake from the Yangjin Highway is “Donghu.” After crossing a small bridge, the road splits into two: going straight north all the way to the northernmost point is “Dinghu,” while taking the left fork leads to “Xiahua.” In the late Qing Dynasty, Huzi Lake was used for rice cultivation. In the 1960s, the original rice farming office in Huzi Lake was closed, and high-altitude vegetables were planted instead. About a decade ago, the area switched to growing flowers such as calla lilies.

 

Huang Liyuan, head of the Geotechnical Engineering Office, stated that the upper reaches of Huzi Lake feature steep slopes and rapid currents, which in the past often led to severe erosion during heavy rains. The office has restored the streams using near-natural engineering methods and has transformed existing agricultural pathways into five riverside trails: the “Dinghu Circular Trail,” “Calla Lily Circular Trail,” “Literary Trail,” “Hudi Circular Trail,” and “Huzi Lake Circular Trail.” These trails connect the five areas of Huzi Lake—Dinghu, Xiahua, Hudi, Donghu, and Shuiwei—with walking times ranging from 10 to 50 minutes each, offering varied scenery.

The Geotechnical Engineering Office recommends that those wishing to admire vast fields of calla lilies, the majestic scenery of Xiaoyoukeng, egrets, and small terraced fields should visit the Dinghu Circular Trail in Dinghu area, which loops around the stream. The path is gentle and suitable for all ages, with a walking time of about 20 minutes. For those interested in historic waterwheels left by early farmers, ecological ponds, and circular play areas, the Calla Lily Circular Trail in Xiahua area is a great choice, also with a 20-minute walk. Those wanting to listen to trickling streams, play among rocks, and explore small hills and terraced mountain faces can head to the Literary Trail in Shuiwei area, which only takes 10 minutes. To enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the sloping calla lily fields, the Hudi Circular Trail is recommended, with a 15-minute walk. The longest trail is the Huzi Lake Circular Trail, accessible via Hutian Bridge, connecting Donghu, Dinghu, Shuiwei, and Xiahua in a loop that includes both mountain paths and roads, taking about 50 minutes to complete and offering beautiful views of Huzi Lake throughout.