Qilin Pond Introduction
Qilin Lake, originally known as "Dashi Dui," is a small water pond located at the foot of Dongding Mountain and serves as the first stop for entering the Phoenix Valley Scenic Area. With shimmering waves reflecting the green mountains and red-tiled roofs, its scenery is as beautiful as that of the lakes and mountains in Switzerland, earning it a reputation as one of the eight scenic spots in Nantou. Surrounded by rolling hills, the neatly arranged terraced tea trees line the mountainside by the pond. The pond is stocked with fish for fishing, and it is particularly enchanting in the early morning and evening when covered with a thin veil of mist. Walking around the scenic path that encircles the pond offers views of the natural lake and mountains; it is possible to see wild ducks and swans swimming leisurely in the pond, while the Dongding Mountain is shrouded in layers of mist, creating a dreamy atmosphere. Ascending to the top of Qilin Lake provides an even wider view; from this vantage point, one can see the entire Dashi Dui, looking north toward Jiji by the Zhuoshui River, west toward Zhushan Township and Chianan Plain, and east toward the Phoenix Mountain Range, as well as the terraced fields across the pond, creating a picturesque scene. Qilin Lake was originally a small pond at the foot of Dongding Mountain. About 150 years ago, residents of Yonglong Village utilized the natural terrain surrounded by mountains to build a dam to store water for agricultural irrigation, which gradually expanded into a clear blue lake. Currently, the pond covers an area of approximately 13 hectares, surrounded by tea plantations. The site is exceptionally beautiful with thin mist in the morning and evening and is praised as one of the eight scenic spots in Nantou.
