Jingxi Old Canal Introduction
The Jingtze Creek (ㄑㄩㄝˋ) is located upstream of the Shuangxi River in the Shilin District of Taipei City. It spans approximately 2.1 kilometers with a drainage area of 450 hectares. The creek has abundant water flow, clear water quality, and diverse ecology, flowing through the neighborhoods of Jingshan, Pingdeng, Gongguan, and Xishan in Shilin District, serving as a major water source for the area. The section of Jingtze Creek between Jingtze Bridge and Zhugao Ridge Bridge features picturesque banks and diverse ecological streams, making it a favored spot for stream tracing enthusiasts. The creek has steep flow paths and swift currents, which used to cause soil erosion during heavy rains. To balance safety and ecological conservation, the Taipei City Government's Public Works Department has implemented overall planning for the watershed and allocated funds for phased improvements. The department's landslide prevention division head, Huang Tianjin, mentioned that Jingtze Creek employs a porous masonry technique and has established water-friendly facilities along the route, maintaining natural ecological balance. It has garnered popularity among stream tracing enthusiasts who come to experience it. The department indicated that the principles of the Jingtze Creek remediation follow the creek's natural terrain, creating water-friendly platforms, trails, and stabilization works beneficial to the habitat. Energy-absorbing large stones are placed in areas with high elevation changes, and sedimentation basins have been set in flatter parts of the creek for flood prevention and aesthetic enjoyment. The department noted that the Jingtze Creek remediation has been divided into four segments from upstream (near Happy Farm) to the downstream tributary. Near Happy Farm, a fish ladder using near-natural techniques has been established to aid fish migration and rehabilitation, showcasing its vitality. The department stated that along the creek by Futian Garden Farm, a water-friendly platform and trail have been created in harmony with the local ecology, complemented by near-natural stabilization and riverbank protection, resulting in a beautiful environment and clear water, increasingly attracting stream tracing lovers in recent years. Moving downstream near the Qingzi Bridge, there are water-friendly trails where visitors can sit down on the ground, dip their feet in the cool creek water, and listen to the soothing sounds of flowing water, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The department emphasized that the tributary of Jingtze Creek downstream has been remediated over a length of approximately 280 meters, with cherry blossom trees planted along the way, creating a recreational space enhanced by water-friendly facilities. Each winter, when cherry blossoms bloom, strolling alongside the creek becomes an exceptionally poetic experience. The department recommends visiting Jingtze Creek for its diverse scenery amidst stunning mountain views, making it ideal for stream tracing on sunny days. Visitors can stretch their muscles and enjoy the clear waters and beautiful creekside forest, surrounded by rich birdlife and native plants, where they can see darting dragonflies and damselflies, and admire schools of fish such as grouper, sweetfish, and bitterling swimming gracefully. The area between Jingtze Bridge and Zhugao Ridge Bridge is especially a new secret spot for group stream tracing. Data source: Taipei City Government Public Works Department.
