Shimen Songshan Community Centenary Stone-Paved Terrace Fields Introduction
Located near the Jianshan Lake in the Shimen District of New Taipei City, the Songshan Terrace is the only century-old stone terrace in Taiwan that is constructed using volcanic rock from Yangmingshan. Over three hundred years ago, the ancestors built the stone walls of the terraced fields using the triangular stacking method, creating beautiful geometric patterns with layers of stones intertwined. The nearby pathways through the fields add to its aesthetic appeal. Every year in April and May, it is the season for the iris flowers; from mid to late June, the large cosmos bloom. During these seasons, the sea of flowers and the terraced fields create a stunning scenery that is breathtaking! The Songshan community in Shimen, known for its rich natural resources and various terraced landscapes, faced a decline in agriculture, leading to a loss of 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 project. The terraced fields were replanted with crops, introducing the Japonica rice variety known as Koshihikari. After the revival, the century-old stone terraces were used to cultivate this rice, which has gained the name "Thousand-Year Rice," as the twelve participating farmers contribute to a collective age of over a thousand years. The most beautiful trails in the Shimen mountainous area combine environmental restoration with tourism guidance in the Songshan community. Collaborating with corporate groups and schools, they implement restoration of the terrace ridges and stone walls using work holidays. They also guide visitors in farming activities, such as seedling cultivation, transplanting, weeding, and harvesting, promoting the idea of teaching through practice. The community further advocates for non-toxic organic farming, industry guidance, and rural experiences, aiming to revive the charm of traditional rural life.
