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Hello! We are "Yilan Memory Lane" project team. (designed as the graduation project by 3 international students from ITM class 2018, TKU) We created an original walking route with scenic spots along Yilan's mountain side. Since the third location of our route is Longtan Lake(龍潭湖), we would like to share the English information with travelers. Longtan Lake Scenic Area, designated in 1986 by Yilan County Government, is located on the outskirts of Jiaoxi Township and faces three mountainsides to the north, east and west. Also referred to as 'Dapo Lake', it has been receiving plenty of funds from the Tourism Bureau and Ministry of Transportation and Communications that are spent on the development of modernized tourism infrastructure and trail renovations.
It has been declared as one of the five major lakes in this county (蘭陽五大名湖), with the other four locations being 梅花湖 Meihua Lake, 翠峰湖 Cuifeng Lake, 大湖 Dahu Lake and 雙連埤 Shuanglian Lake. Covering an area of 17 hectares, with a depth of roughly 15 metres, Longtan Lake is the biggest lake in Yilan County, where kayaking and other water-based activities are commonly practised.
During the Japanese colonial period (1895 ~ 1945), an agricultural irrigation system was designed by the Japanese government, which delivers water to the nearby rice fields conveniently.
Nowadays, Longtan Lake has become one of the most tourist-friendly places in Yilan, with a well-maintained 2.8km long circular footpath plus a 250m long cross-lake path that ensure a safe and casual stroll suitable for all ages. Many art installations can be found in the surrounding area, including dolphin, ship, igloo and mermaid shaped structures. At night, the colourful lights are turned on, contributing to a romantic vibe that attracts couples and families alike.
At Longtan Lake, you can see many insects (e.g. owlet moths, swallowtail butterfly, common grass yellow, etc.), numerous plants (e.g. lantana, golden dewdrops, common putat, etc.), various species of birds (e.g. yellow-billed teal, common moorhen, black-crowned night heron, etc.) and fish (most notably the distoechodon tumirostris) throughout different seasons.
Recent studies have revealed that there are around 96 types of plants and 72 types of animals (43 of them being butterflies) that you can potentially observe at this remarkable lake.
Most amazingly, Longtanhu also hosts an unique eco-park with a 30-meter-long fish ladder that allows Distoechodon tumirostris to swim upstream to spawn. Tens of thousands of these fish ascending the ladder at the same time can be observed every year around May, which can't be seen anywhere else in the entire world! That being said, it has been reported that the number of distoechodon tumirostris has been dwindling in recent years due to an invasion of non-native, predatory species, such as the snakehead murrel or the jaguar guapote, who prey on the local fish. Due to a change in weather patterns and insufficient regulations of the past, it remains a challenge to keep the balance of the local ecosystem in check.
Nowadays, Longtan Lake is easily accessible by bus (GR15, Y1 Bus Taxi and 772), unlike some other lakes on Yilan Memory Lane that are only accessible by private transportation.
Hope you enjoy your travel at Longtan...
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As a traveler who recently visited Longtan Lake in Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, I highly recommend this scenic destination. The breathtaking views of the lake and surrounding mountains are absolutely stunning, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers and photographers alike.
The peaceful and tranquil atmosphere is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. I was impressed by the well-maintained trails around the lake, which provided ample opportunity to explore the area and take in the stunning scenery.
In addition to the natural beauty, there are also plenty of recreational activities available, such as boating and fishing. The local food and beverage options are also worth trying, with many delicious and authentic Taiwanese dishes to choose from.
Overall, Longtan Lake is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Yilan County. I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary, and don't forget to leave your own five-star review on...
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I have such mix feeling for this place. Longtan lake used to be the top nature lake destination in yilan back in the old days. Because it’s nature beauty surrounding by gentle hills around it. When Taiwan Formosa group (台塑）bought lots of its land and built different buildings, it became more industrial like. On top of that, government started to build lots of man made facilities, most recent one is the bridge linked 2 sides which serves little functions and destroy its nature beauty further more. These short sided visitor activities are promoted by the local government that completely turn this place into a...
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