Shuanglianpi Wildlife Refuge Introduction
Shuanglian Pond is located in the mountain basin of Huaxi Village, Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, near the Fushan Botanical Garden. It is a natural dammed lake composed of two lakes, referred to by locals as the Upper Pond and Lower Pond, although the Lower Pond has turned into a marshland, leaving only the Upper Pond with a water source. Shuanglian Pond encompasses one-third of Taiwan's aquatic plant species, making it a rich ecological paradise for aquatic plants. The area is often shrouded in thick mist, revealing a vast expanse of creeping vegetation, with occasional rows of bamboo swaying gently in the wind. The sounds of chirping insects and birds, accompanied by the occasional croak of frogs, along with reflections on the lake's surface, give Shuanglian Pond a pastoral poetry. Such beautiful scenery has attracted numerous films to be shot on location here. Another unique ecological feature of Shuanglian Pond is a remarkable sight found rarely in Taiwan: between the two lakes lies a plant floating island, roughly the size of a soccer field, composed of various aquatic plants. This island shifts during typhoons, reshuffling the aquatic plants each time and redistributing territories. Due to its uniqueness, the floating island has nurtured various species of fish, shrimp, dragonflies, frogs, and other insects, and has drawn many migratory and resident birds, making it an ideal habitat for them. Therefore, on weekends, it's a great idea to take a stroll at Shuanglian Pond and plan a nature-inspired journey.
