Shimen Reservoir Trail Introduction
Who says that the beautiful scenery of mountains covered in maple red is exclusive to high altitudes? In northern Taiwan, the popular low-altitude maple viewing spot is Shimen Reservoir. During autumn and winter, thousands of green maples and maple trees transform the mountains into a romantic crimson landscape. Walking along the trails allows you to completely immerse yourself in this enchanting scenery while relieving the fatigue of hiking, with stunning views that rival high-altitude mountains. Entering the park from the Shimen Reservoir high-line toll booth, you are met with towering cinnamon maples extending like a green tunnel. As you proceed along the lakeside road, the wide path is frequented by climbing travelers, passing by the simple children's playground at Dieyuan and the octagonal viewing pavilion from which you can see the Shimen Dam. You can then branch off to the maple viewing trail, where in late autumn, the maple trees over 30 years old on the slopes display a dazzling mix of red, yellow, and green, with butterflies fluttering about, which is truly astonishing! Climbing up to the Furilun Pavilion offers a serene aesthetic with a view of the red leaves reflected in the rear pool of Shimen Reservoir. The stone steps within the Maple Forest Park provide a view of the green maple forest and are also a great spot for appreciating plum blossoms, each season offering its own charm. Continuing on, after passing the scenic views of Shimen and Yanshan Pavilion, you reach the best viewing spot of Shimen Reservoir — the Songtai Viewing Pavilion. At an elevation of 270 meters, the vast view overlooks the spillway and dam, making you unable to hold back your admiration! If you are fortunate enough to witness the reservoir's drainage, the stunning sight of the rushing waters is worth every moment! Just about 450 meters from the Pinglin toll station is Xizhou Park, equipped with a lotus pond, lover's bridge, and a meandering path designed to fit the terrain, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of tree species, lush green slopes, and the colorful back pool. It's a delightful spot where many travelers picnic on holidays, enjoying leisurely time. In addition to the aforementioned maple viewing trail, maple forest trail, and Xizhou Park trail, the park also features trails in the Keatonglin Park and Nanyuan Ecological Park, allowing visitors to stroll and enjoy the scenery of Shimen Reservoir. As night falls, the cleverly lit Nanyuan Ecological Park guides visitors on a fantastical night journey with its gentle glow; the misty landscaped ponds and the soft yellow lights along the paths create a friendly light environment, reducing light pollution while enticing visitors’ senses. In recent years, Shimen Reservoir has become not only a favorite spot for travelers visiting Taoyuan but also a popular venue for many unique sporting events. The "Taoyuan Half Marathon - Shimen Reservoir Maple Half Marathon" attracts thousands of runners each year and is one of the rare ecological marathons in the country, with the lakeside route filled with beautiful red maple scenery, allowing runners to experience a visual feast of nature and culture while sweating it out. In addition to road running, there are also hiking and cycling competitions, making sports and fitness another choice for exploring Shimen Reservoir.
