Xiaoli Lake Introduction
With a history of over 200 years, the Xiaoli Pond is not only the first pond in Taoyuan but also the largest pond in the Bade area. During the Qianlong period, the Pingpu people named this place after their community, "Xiaoli," and along with Han Chinese, excavated the Xiaoli Pond at the southernmost end of Bade according to the terrain, gathering creek water and springs to become the water source of the Xiaoli Main Canal (the predecessor of the Shimen Canal). The abundant irrigation resources have created a prosperous scene of "the endless rice fields of Xiaoli and the never-ending Xiaoli rice." Walking along the lakeside trail, as one admires the lush green rice waves swaying in the wind, thoughts of the hardships faced by ancestors in cultivating the land arise, naturally invoking a sense of gratitude. On the bustling road of Provincial Highway 112 in Taoyuan, the pleasant scenery of Xiaoli Pond showcases a charm of contrast. The expansive 6-hectare lake surface sparkles with crystal-like ripples, rows of pine trees along the banks change colors with the seasons, traditional three-sectional courtyards and low houses intermingle, distant mountains layer upon layer sketch an ink-wash imagination, and travelers gather in groups, leaning against observation platforms, chatting, while the occasional cyclist rests under a pavilion… During winter visits, one can also head to Lane 185 of Fuxian Street to enjoy the dream-like scenery of cypress trees and cosmos flowers. In addition to being a leisure spot for residents, Xiaoli Pond is also the starting point of the "Bade Qiedong Xiaoli Sunshine Bicycle Path." Traveling northward along the route, one can visit Hakka old house settlements, the Cultural Landscape Area of the Stone Mother Goddess, and the Dahuo washing pond, embarking on an intellectual and refreshing journey.
