Shimen Songshan Community Century-Old Stone Step Fields Introduction
Located near Jian Mountain Lake in Shimen District, New Taipei City, the Songshan Terraces are the only century-old stone-paved terraces in Taiwan made from volcanic rock from Yangmingshan. Over three hundred years ago, the ancestors built the terraced stone walls using a triangular stacking method, creating beautiful geometric patterns with interlocking stones. The nearby rural paths add a unique aesthetic to the landscape. The iris flower season occurs in April and May, while the blooming of cosmos flowers takes place in mid to late June. During this season, the sea of flowers and the terraced landscape create a stunning visual experience! Rural regeneration and the cultivation of the thousand-year rice have brought life back to the Songshan community in Shimen, which is home to multiple terrace landscapes and rich natural resources. However, due to the decline of agriculture, the young population had been migrating away. In 2014, the Songshan community successfully proposed a rural regeneration plan, becoming the seventh community in New Taipei City to complete this initiative. The terraces have been replanted with crops, specifically the Japanese Koshihikari rice variety, and the revitalized century-old stone terraces now grow what is known as "Thousand-Year Rice," as the twelve participating farmers have combined farming experiences totaling over a thousand years. In the beautiful Shimen mountain area, the Songshan community combines environmental restoration with tourism guidance. It collaborates with corporate groups and schools to conduct activities such as repairing the terrace paths and stone walls. They also lead visitors in hands-on farming experiences, including seedling cultivation, rice planting, weeding, and harvesting. Through soil rejuvenation and agricultural inheritance, the community advocates for an educational and enjoyable experience, while also promoting non-toxic organic farming, industry guidance, and rural experiences, striving to recapture the rural charm of the past.
