Shuanglianpi Wildlife Refuge Introduction
Shuanglian Ponds are located in the mountainous basin of Huxi Village, Yuanshan Township, Yilan County, near the Fushan Botanical Garden. It is a natural dammed lake comprising two ponds, commonly referred to by locals as the Upper Pond and the Lower Pond; however, the Lower Pond has turned into a marshy area, leaving the Upper Pond as the only one still retaining its water source. Within the Shuanglian Ponds area, one can find one-third of Taiwan's freshwater plant species, making it a rich ecological paradise for aquatic plants. Shuanglian Ponds are often enveloped in thick fog, where vast expanses of climbing plants can be seen, and several rows of bamboo sway in the wind along the lakeshore. The air is filled with the sounds of chirping insects and birds, along with the occasional croaking of frogs, complemented by reflections on the lake's surface, giving Shuanglian Ponds a pastoral poetic charm. Such beautiful scenery has attracted numerous film crews for shooting. Another unique ecological feature of Shuanglian Ponds is a rare spectacle in Taiwan: between the two ponds lies a floating island of vegetation approximately the size of a football field, composed of various aquatic plants. This floating island moves during typhoons, reshuffling the underwater plant life and redistributing the territory each time it relocates. Due to the uniqueness of the floating island, it fosters various fish, shrimp, dragonflies, frogs, and other insects, which in turn attract numerous migratory and resident birds, making it an ideal habitat for them. Therefore, it is advisable to take a stroll at Shuanglian Ponds on weekends and plan a nature-themed intellectual journey.
