Jade Water Reservoir Introduction
The Shimen Reservoir, which supplies water and generates electricity for the Greater Taipei area, is located on the Beishi River, a tributary of the Xindian River. The catchment area covers 303 square kilometers and is about 30 kilometers from downtown Taipei, encompassing the regions of Xindian District, Shiding District, Shuangxi District, and Pinglin District in New Taipei City. It is the second largest reservoir in Taiwan, second only to the Tsengwen Reservoir. The surrounding flora and fauna are diverse, with the most notable being the Wulai Rhododendron, a species endemic to Taiwan, which creates a spectacular floral sea every March. Animals such as Formosan macaques and Formosan blue magpies can also be seen, while the Jade Tree Frog is named after its discovery near the reservoir. To understand the mysteries of the reservoir, one can start at the Water Resource Ecological Education Center, which provides information on water conservation, reservoir ecology, and construction, making it suitable for family visits. Prior registration is required through the Taipei Shimen Reservoir Water Resource Education Activity Registration System (click here to go).
