Shimen Songshan Community Century-old Stone Terraces Introduction
Located near Jianshan Lake in the Shimen District of New Taipei City, Songshan Terraced Fields are the only century-old stone terraced fields in Taiwan built with volcanic rocks from Yangmingshan. Over three hundred years ago, the ancestors constructed the stone walls of the terraces using a triangular stacking method, creating beautiful geometric patterns with interlocking stones. The nearby trails provide a unique aesthetic. The blooming period for iris flowers occurs in April and May, while mid to late June marks the season for the blooming of cosmos flowers. During these times, the sea of flowers and terraced fields complement each other beautifully! As part of rural regeneration, the Songshan community has multiple terraced landscapes and rich natural resources. However, due to the decline of agriculture, there has been a significant outflow of the young population. In 2014, the Songshan community successfully proposed a rural regeneration plan, becoming the seventh community in New Taipei City to complete such a plan. The terraced fields were replanted with crops, including the introduction of the Japanese Koshihikari rice variety, which is cultivated in the restored century-old stone terraced fields. Because the twelve participating farmers collectively have over a thousand years of experience, this rice is commonly referred to as "Thousand-Year Rice." The Songshan community in the Shimen Mountain Area combines environmental restoration with tourism guidance, collaborating with corporate groups and schools to carry out the restoration of terraced paths and stone retaining walls during working holidays. They lead visitors in hands-on agricultural experiences such as seedling cultivation, rice planting, weeding, and harvesting, promoting the concept of edutainment through land restoration and agricultural heritage. The community also advocates for non-toxic organic farming, industry guidance, and rural experiences, striving to reclaim the pastoral charm of the past.
