Things to do in Wanhua, Taipei: The Best Nature & Parks

The vast stretch of sandbars and wetlands near Huajiang Bridge has long been a habitat for various migratory birds, attracting thousands of species of the Anatidae, Scolopacidae and Charadriidae families from September through April. The park is divided into a Core Zone, a Buffer Zone and a Sustainable Utilization Zone, according to the type of ecological resources, in an effort to preserve and protect the natural environment with the fauna/flora habitats intact. Inaccessible to the general public, the Core Zone is a major wetland restoration site largely dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of bird habitats. The educationally-functional Buffer Zone separates the Sustainable Utilization Zone and Core Zone with hedgerows or blockade ditches; it consists of freshwater ponds, tidal ponds, aquatic plants and marsh plants, each representing a distinctive eco-system. Growing among the artificially planned and cultivated park turfs are many herbaceous and woody plants that insects feed on, while the sizeable population of invertebrates on mudflats and shoals offer perfect food for Scolopacidae and Charadriidae. Primarily designed for family recreation and bird watchers, the Sustainable Utilization Zone is installed with a duck-watching trail, a bird observatory square and a family-friendly zone, where people can enjoy outdoor activities with relatively little environmental impact. To further promote ecological education, large-scale duck- and goose-watching events are hosted in the park during the migratory-bird season, with guided tours available on weekends/holidays. The Huajiang Wild Duck Nature Park, which lies beyond the embankment, and Huazhong Riverside Park, are perfect for wild bird watching; their comprehensive facilities ensure easy observation of the fascinating eco-systems.

Located next to the Huazhong Bridge in Huazhong Riverside Park, the 12-hectare park was inaugurated in July 2009 to feature the country’s largest riverside campsite: it can accommodate up to 800 campers. Highly accessible traffic-wise, the campsite is adjacent to a huge parking lot and boasts a campervan park, complete with utility supploes and bathrooms, and the country’s first campervan sewerage facility. In addition to the river-facing campsite that is encircled by a bike path, the park offers bike rental services and a colorful array of recreational facilities (for soccer, beach volleyball, basketball, tennis, etc.) in a revolutionary multi-purpose setting. The Huazhong Riverside Park is truly a recreational “back garden” of Taipei.

The 4,693 m2, slightly triangular Wanhua Park No. 402 is located at the intersection of Bangka Boulevard and Xiyuan Road, which used to be occupied by the Taipei Jen-Chi Relief Institution and private residences. The neighborhood was notorious for ITS outdated amenities and a substandard lifestyle that left the city unsightly. In an urban renewal program for Wanhua District, Taipei City Government launched a park expansion plan that added greenery and decorations to reinforce healthy trees/plants already grown in the park in an attempt to improve living quarters and provide greater access to public lawns. The revamped park was inaugurated on November 13, 2006. Herbs, including therapeutic Chinese herbs, are grown along Xiyuan Road in the brand-new Park No. 402, where benches and an activity plaza (approx. 256 m2) were installed between the park lanes parallel to Bangka Boulevard and historic buildings. A variety of shrubs (blue butterfly bushes, Osmanthus, etc.) connect the plaza, the buildings and corridor; massive lawns and trees (such as banyans, Fan Palms, Chinese Hackberry, camphor trees and Spindle Palm) abound in the park, offering the neighborhood a perfect bonding place for recreation and chit-chats.