Yeheng Terrace Introduction
Yeheng Terraces are located in Yeheng Village, southwest of Balin. The Yeheng area is renowned for its "terraces" and "hot springs," attracting many photography enthusiasts who come here to capture the rare terrace landscapes of Taiwan. The best photography spot is from across the river in Sanguang, where one can capture the beautifully undulating and well-defined terrace scenery, making it an unforgettable classic sight along the North Cross-Island Highway. Yeheng is a settlement of the Atayal indigenous people, situated by the Mali Kuowan Creek along the North Cross-Island Highway, having the second largest plateau in Taoyuan's Fuxing District, after Jiao Ban Mountain, and was once known as the "Granary of the Back Mountain". Access can be made via the Guanghua Road from Lower Balin. Although Yeheng Village is not a popular tourist destination, this has helped retain the original simplicity of the mountainous settlement. In this tranquil mountain village, terraces were built during the Japanese colonial period when high-altitude rice cultivation was promoted. At that time, local Atayal residents were mobilized to cultivate terraces from the mountain tops down to the creek bottoms, utilizing mountain spring water for irrigation, thus creating the most beautiful terrace landscape in the village. At its peak, there were over a thousand steps with a vertical drop of more than a thousand meters. This self-sufficient method not only provided a stable livelihood for the residents but also enhanced the village's landscape. To view the layered beauty of the terraces, one can capture stunning vistas from the road towards Sanguang across the river in Yeheng, enjoying beautiful scenes where the green terraces blend harmoniously with the distant mountains and blue sky, providing a refreshing experience. In addition to the geometric beauty of the rice fields, low houses are scattered among the terraces, with straight roads dividing them, occasionally crossed by vehicles, and the leisurely pace of life makes urban dwellers long for this pastoral lifestyle. Historically, Yeheng Terraces primarily grew rice, with the scenery changing throughout the year as the rice grew—from seedlings during planting season to lush green fields when mature, and finally to golden grains before harvest, which is particularly appealing. Farmers work hard in the fields, often losing track of time until sunset, creating a rare view of rural life amidst the city hustle. In recent years, Yeheng Village has begun cultivating "Mama Peach," a variety of water peaches that are in season during May. This is named due to the coinciding of the peak harvest with Mother's Day, and the fruit is grown by single mothers or Atayal mothers over sixty, featuring delicate, sweet, and juicy flesh that visiting tourists should not miss.
