Dajia River Hydroelectric Plant Ecological Park (Ma'an Dam Ecological Park) Introduction
The Dajia River Hydroelectric Power Plant in Taichung's Heping District has transformed into the Dajia River Hydroelectric Power Plant Ecological Park (Ma'an Dam Ecological Park), integrating forest water resources, power technology, and natural ecology. It is not only the core of hydropower generation in central Taiwan but also houses a rich ecological corridor with diverse fish, birds, butterflies, macaques, wild boars, and plants. The park serves as both an energy education and ecological observation site, featuring a bike rest station for cyclists. Visitors can plan trips to enjoy the forest's phytoncides, visit the century-old irrigation project, the Baileng Canal, or combine their visit with nearby attractions such as Guguan Hot Springs and Baxianshan National Forest Recreation Area for an enlightening leisure experience. The park includes various attractions like a green energy generation display, dynamic wheel exhibit, technology exhibition hall, Ma'an inlet, a relaxation pavilion, Egret Island, the Tianlun Baileng Suspension Bridge, the Baileng Canal water intake, the new Tianlun tailwater, Baileng popsicles, Baileng meat buns, and ecological fishway exhibits. Notably, the green energy generation display area features related generating machines, allowing visitors to see real-time power generation data, illustrating how wind and solar energy are influenced by climate. There are also hands-on experiences with water turbine operation to understand the principles of hydropower generation; the ecological fishway display area features viewing trails and fish observation windows to understand fish migration patterns. The Tianlun Baileng Suspension Bridge, located between Ma'an Dam and the Dajia River Hydroelectric Power Plant, spans 100 meters across the Dajia River. It was once the main passageway for the Baileng area across the river, but due to safety concerns from its age, it is now open only for pedestrian traffic, with vehicles redirected to the top of the Ma'an Dam. Walking on the bridge, visitors can gaze upstream at the water outlet of the Dajia River Hydroelectric Power Plant, and downstream to catch sight of egrets soaring in the sky, capturing the beauty of hydropower resources and natural ecology. Before leaving the park, be sure to taste the local delicacies, such as the Zhi Zi Ice "Baileng popsicle" produced by the consumer cooperative and the 40-year-old Hakka-style meat buns "Baileng meat buns."
