Shihding Ciandao Lake
Shihding Ciandao Lake
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Shenkeng / Shiding / Pinglin District
Tea fields planted in steps, with a mountain of verdant tea gardens, are a characteristic and unique sight of Pinglin. The Pinglin Tea Museum Periodically hosts various tea-related theme displays alongside exhibitions, experience showrooms, tea art classrooms and other spaces for introduction of the tea industry with its domestic and foreign culture to tourists. Pinglin Old Street preserved the most down to earth appearance of its hundred year history, including its old stone houses and traditional mom and pop stores. The well known Shenkeng Old Street is famous not only for stinky tofu delicacy but also “four Shenkang specialties”, green bamboo shoots, black pig pork, white tofu, and pouchong tea, planting the delectable image of Shenkang Old Street deep in one's mind. The unique “stilt houses” architecture can only be seen in Shiding, developed by locals to solve the problem of limited spacings. Well known souvenirs blend local features into handmade noodles, combining tea fragrance into noodles and adding new flavors to a traditional taste.
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48 within 5 kms
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127 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
48 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
15
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Au_and_Family
Singapore, Singapore47 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Bus 12 from Xindian Station brought me to the bus stop “Shih San Gu” (十三股), It was a 3-hour brisk walk to the lake and the Bagua Tea Plantation and back to the bus stop.
Walking down the slope in search of the lake was fine and the views of the lake at different parts of the Yongan Mountain Trail are beautiful . Following the signboards will lead to these two places. The view of the tea plantation in May is not so nice as the tea leaves seemed to have dried up and also many parts of the plantation are not accessible.
Walking up slope can be tiring if one doesn't have strong leg muscles. Advice is to pick up a bamboo stick along the way as it can help to get you back to the bus stop. Take note of the time as buses can be quite crowded and may not have enough space for all who are in the queue.
Walking down the slope in search of the lake was fine and the views of the lake at different parts of the Yongan Mountain Trail are beautiful . Following the signboards will lead to these two places. The view of the tea plantation in May is not so nice as the tea leaves seemed to have dried up and also many parts of the plantation are not accessible.
Walking up slope can be tiring if one doesn't have strong leg muscles. Advice is to pick up a bamboo stick along the way as it can help to get you back to the bus stop. Take note of the time as buses can be quite crowded and may not have enough space for all who are in the queue.
Written 13 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jameshuang
Taipei, Taiwan2,004 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
Qiandao Lake (千島湖, also known as Thousand Island Lake) is located in New Taipei City between Taipei City and Yilan. There was no such attraction called Qiandao Lake before the Feitsui Dam (翡翠水庫) was built. The Feitsui Dam started construction on August 1979 and was completed in June 1987. It is the 2nd largest dam (capacity) in Taiwan next to the Zengwen Dam (曾文水庫) located in Chiayi (嘉義). Qiandao Lake is part of the Feitsui reservoir, which was named later by locals because it has many islands after most of the mountains’ peaks were under the reservoir.
Qiandao Lake is not so far away from Taipei City. We drove via Highway 5 to this beautiful natural wonderland in less an hour. Once you turned onto the Beiyi Road (北宜公路, Provincial Highway 9), look for the sign (千島湖 only Chinese) and follow the road to the destination. Because most parts of the road are narrow, you need to park at where you would not obstruct the traffic. We normally make a quick stop at a location where there is a panoramic view of the lake and islands. You can also find the tea plantation here. Of course, it is a perfect location to take photos as well. Continue driving to a location where you see public parking and park if possible. Otherwise, further down you can find a private parking not very far away. You can find a small road before the public parking that leads to a small store for drinks. It is a perfect location overlooking the renowned Bagua Tea Garden (八卦茶園) before you enter the Baqua Tea Garden. Driving to the Baqua Tea Garden is challenging because you can hardly find parking on the narrow road. The only parking near the location is the restaurant at the Bagua Tea Garden, but only limited space is available. You can have a drink or meal before you explore nearby and go to the Baqua viewing platform (八卦觀景台) to enjoy the view. If you have more time here, you can hike the Yong'an Mountain Trail (永安景觀步道) to discover the beauty of the reservoir.
What worries me the most is the over development of the site because it is a water reservation dam for drinking. Too many tea farms will pollute the water and are not good for soil and water conservation. Feitsui Dam and reservoir are not open to public unlike other dams in Taiwan. So far the Feitsui Dam is the best in the soil and water conservation in Taiwan. If you like taking public transportation, you can take MRT to Xindian Station from Taipei City and then take Bus Green 12 in the front of the station. Look for the bus stop “Shih San Gu” (十三股). Be aware there are only 12 scheduled buses per day on weekdays.
Qiandao Lake is not so far away from Taipei City. We drove via Highway 5 to this beautiful natural wonderland in less an hour. Once you turned onto the Beiyi Road (北宜公路, Provincial Highway 9), look for the sign (千島湖 only Chinese) and follow the road to the destination. Because most parts of the road are narrow, you need to park at where you would not obstruct the traffic. We normally make a quick stop at a location where there is a panoramic view of the lake and islands. You can also find the tea plantation here. Of course, it is a perfect location to take photos as well. Continue driving to a location where you see public parking and park if possible. Otherwise, further down you can find a private parking not very far away. You can find a small road before the public parking that leads to a small store for drinks. It is a perfect location overlooking the renowned Bagua Tea Garden (八卦茶園) before you enter the Baqua Tea Garden. Driving to the Baqua Tea Garden is challenging because you can hardly find parking on the narrow road. The only parking near the location is the restaurant at the Bagua Tea Garden, but only limited space is available. You can have a drink or meal before you explore nearby and go to the Baqua viewing platform (八卦觀景台) to enjoy the view. If you have more time here, you can hike the Yong'an Mountain Trail (永安景觀步道) to discover the beauty of the reservoir.
What worries me the most is the over development of the site because it is a water reservation dam for drinking. Too many tea farms will pollute the water and are not good for soil and water conservation. Feitsui Dam and reservoir are not open to public unlike other dams in Taiwan. So far the Feitsui Dam is the best in the soil and water conservation in Taiwan. If you like taking public transportation, you can take MRT to Xindian Station from Taipei City and then take Bus Green 12 in the front of the station. Look for the bus stop “Shih San Gu” (十三股). Be aware there are only 12 scheduled buses per day on weekdays.
Written 24 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ericaboo
Calgary, Canada198 contributions
Sept 2019
I visited Shihding Ciandao Lake, also known as, Thousand Island Lake, in September 2019. It is possible to catch the number 12 bus from Xindian Station but I paid for a half day tour instead to make sure I got there and back safely to my hotel. My tour also had a tea tasting event where we visited a tea museum too. I booked this on Klook.com. I went for the views and photos but the whole trip was amazing. This is a must see if you are looking for some breathtaking views and pictures. The scenery literally took my breath away. This place is so incredibly beautiful words cannot describe. It was very sunny and hot the day I went so make sure to take some extra water bottles as well as a fan and an umbrella to shield from the sun. Make sure to pack a lunch if you are on the tour as they do not provide food.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HayesTseng
4 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
總共有3個觀景台，中間的風景最好。遊客稍多，如果停紅線會被拖吊。
There are three viewing platforms in "thousand island lake", the one located in the middle among all owns the best view. Beautiful&fascinating landscape, but kind of difficult to park.
There are three viewing platforms in "thousand island lake", the one located in the middle among all owns the best view. Beautiful&fascinating landscape, but kind of difficult to park.
Written 16 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
duag27
Hong Kong, China732 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
One hour south of Taipei.
You have to go there to believe that a place like this exists
Pictures say it all.
You have to go there to believe that a place like this exists
Pictures say it all.
Written 18 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
minikiikii
Singapore, Singapore240 contributions
Jan 2017 • Family
Great place to chill. Nice scenary. U won't expect this to be in Taiwan. So much like the sounds in New Zealand.
Written 27 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hericaribeiro
Niceville, FL75 contributions
Oct 2016
This was by far my favorite spot to visit in Taiwan. The scenery was so beautiful, very peaceful and a cafe along the way. Must visit when you're in Taipei.
Written 25 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tan l
Singapore, Singapore67 contributions
Nov 2018 • Family
Ciandao Lake is a worthwhile attraction. it is best to take a Chart to take you to the best viewing and shooting locations such as: the Squid Head, The Yongan Trail, Gap Tea Garden, The whole area is so beautiful. You can't believe Taipei area got such places. Sometimes it depends on your luck, bad weather will affect the whole trip,when it is foggy , it will be as good as in Wonderland, if you want to take good picture, it is best to choose a good weather or go in Summer time to be safe.
Written 18 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travellover6128
San Francisco, CA2,965 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
It is well worth spending some time by this lake and taking in the amazing views. It has the most stunning scenery. Plus the area is protected, so there is just miles and miles of greenery and beautiful vistas. One of the highlights of our trip
Written 21 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva M
122 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
I saw a lot of tour buses but it seems much better to drive yourself, you get to go at your own pace and it's free! All you have to do is pay for petrol. It was beautifully
Written 23 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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