Baishi Lake Leisure Agricultural Area Introduction
Baishi Lake - Origin of the Place Name When talking about "Baishi Lake," we first need to understand the origin of its name! It is said that early settlers referred to a relatively low and open area in the mountainous regions as a "lake," where white sandstone was abundantly produced. Therefore, the name "Baishi Lake" was born, which means that "Baishi Lake" is actually not a lake! During the late Qing Dynasty, a quarry was established in the Neihu Mountain area, and the materials for building the Taipei city walls were sourced from this place. Due to its strategic location, Baishi Lake was also the site of a battlefield during the Qing conquest in March of the 52nd year of the Qianlong reign (1787), where Lin Shuangwen and his anti-Qing associates fought against the Qing army. It was also inhabited by the Ketagalan tribe. The Ketagalan tribe was originally distributed on the west bank of the Keelung River in Songshan but gradually migrated to the Baishi Lake area due to the influence of Han Chinese development during the Qing Dynasty, and thus they renamed themselves "New Li Tribe" to distinguish themselves from the original "Old Li Tribe" in Songshan. Today, the Ketagalan tribe has integrated into Han society and has disappeared. After the restoration of Taiwan, the area was renamed "Bishan Village" due to the presence of the Bishan Temple, and it was officially renamed "Bishan Li" in the 57th year of the Republic of China, which it still retains today. Surrounded by mountains - The community of Baishi Lake is nestled among mountains, with its development history dating back over 200 years to the Qianlong period. It is surrounded by Bishan, Baishi Lake Mountain, Daluntou Mountain, Kaiyan Mountain, Dajian Mountain (now known as Zhongyong Mountain), and Xiaojian Mountain (now known as Yuanjue Mountain), and is the highest altitude community in the Neihu District (approximately 250 to 450 meters above sea level). The Baishi Lake area features a valley terrain with a subtropical broadleaf forest ecosystem, making it suitable for developing leisure agriculture, and it boasts a variety of hiking trails combining nearby mountains such as Baishi Lake Mountain, Daluntou Mountain, Kaiyan Mountain, and Longchuan Rock. This area serves not only as the backyard for local residents to enjoy fresh mountain air but has also become a choice destination for Taipei citizens on weekends. Other recreational highlights in the Baishi Lake area include the Baishi Lake Suspension Bridge, Houhu Wetland (concentric circle ecological wetland), Guchui Ponds, Couple Trees, and the Huang family's historical residence (Ziyun Residence). Neihu Strawberry Season From December to May of the following year, Neihu District in Taipei City experiences its strawberry season, with March to April being the peak harvest period. There are many strawberry farms in Neihu District suitable for family, couple, or friend gatherings for a day trip. Some farms offer various agricultural experiences, such as DIY strawberry jam and DIY baked pizza, allowing visitors to enjoy the delicious taste of strawberries while appreciating the beautiful mountain scenery of Neihu. (Source: Baishi Lake Leisure Agricultural Area)
