Xinyu Century-Old Stone Weir Group Introduction
In addition to beachcombing and ocean viewing, what other unique activities can you enjoy in Xinyu? Come listen to the legendary stories of the century-old stone weirs, where you'll discover the harmonious relationship between nature and humanity. You will be amazed to find that what seems to be an ordinary pile of stones actually conceals the wisdom of our ancestors, still astonishing even after a hundred years. The largest group of stone weirs in Taiwan awaits your exploration. The establishment of the Xinyu stone weirs dates back to the Qing Dynasty, when Han immigrants came to Taiwan to cultivate the land. They skillfully stacked river stones sourced from the coast into stone walls stretching hundreds to even thousands of meters, without the aid of any transport machinery during that time. The completion of a stone weir often required the mobilization of the entire village, thus also strengthening the bonds among people. The principle of the stone weir fishing technique is to utilize the rising tide to bring fish close to the shore, allowing fishermen to catch the trapped fish when the tide recedes. Currently, there are nine stone weirs from the northern coast of Xinyu Shenzheng to the surrounding area of KeJian, with the best-preserved ones being the nine at KeJian, which still function for fishing. The century-old stone weirs, a "Great Wall of the Sea" stretching along Taiwan's west coast, not only embody cultural charm but also serve as a great place to observe coastal ecology. On the stone walls, you can find intertidal creatures such as stone oysters, helmet snails, shrimp, and crabs, and during high tide, the sea anemones bloom like flowers, showcasing a rich and diverse ecosystem with highlights at every turn. Although today's stone weirs no longer serve to sustain fishermen's livelihoods, they stand as historical relics witnessing the wisdom of our ancestors. (Photo credit: Taoyuan Stone Weir Association)
