Transformation

Shezidao, which is known as the desolate area without cultural richness, has recently gained some momentum in awakening to the appreciation and development of local characteristics in the past few years, reviving the local spirit. For example, only by letting the public know the history, humanities and natural ecology of the intersection of the two river basins can the community be re-activated. The Shezidao Bicycle Trail was completed in 2005. The bicycle trails connect areas like Dadaocheng, Yuanshan, Shilin, Guandu and other areas. The part of trails in Shezidao is about 8 kilometers in distance. It is hoped that the walkers and cyclists can enjoy leisurely and comfortably through the river bank with dazzling scenery. “Shezidao" is like an untapped diamond that has yet to be developed. From time to time, local residents look forward to the Guanyin Mountain on the west side of the confluence of the two river basins for protection and to preserve a habitable environment for some migratory birds in winters, the “Shezidao’s Ecological Development Project” was initiated in 2016, in long-awaited hope and aspiration of integrating resources of relevant units in Shilin District with the help of the government and local residents. For example, Taipei Shilin Community College will bring learning resources into Shezidao, serve the people in community and care for vulnerable ethnic groups, such that it is the vision of creating a beautiful Shezidao with care and faith for the community.

Fanzaigou

Originally, the waterway of separating Shezi and Daxundong was filled up when the National Highway No. 1 interchange was built in 1978. Presently, the exposed and remaining river sections can still be seen under the bridge near the expressway in the third section of Huanhe North Road. It is also called “Fanzaigou" because there is Massauw people of Pingpu Tribe living in Shezidao now.

• Shezi Flower Square (Zhoumei Qiaotou, No.18-2, Section 7, Yanping North Road)

Shezi Flower Square subverts the general impression of the public as a flower market. In this 18,000-square-meter area, it provides gardening, flower materials, food, pottery playing, cycling, teaching and other leisurely and educational activities. It includes all kinds of gardening, flowers, plants, potted plants, pots, flower materials, etc., providing a variety of gardening choices. In addition, there are also catering services of Chinese restaurants and coffee snacks, as well as DIY activities such as playing pottery, bicycles, table tennis and air cushions. Various large-scale activities and flower exhibitions are often held. It is a comprehensive flower square.

• Shezidao Bicycle Trails

People can leisurely stroll or ride on the trails around the riverbanks of Shezidao. At first glance, it is surrounded by mountains, Occasionally, mudskippers (mud hoppers) jump on the river. The intertidal zones along the river bank, everyone can enjoy seeing abundant mangroves, reeds, Cyperus malaccensis, egrets, herons and fiddler crabs. Along the way, there are tin houses, ancient houses and farmland on one side, and the banks of Keelung River and Tamsui River on the other side. In the distance is the bustling night view of Taipei and the new Luzhou township on the other side. In a leisurely and slow pace, facing the gentle wind, it is the best place for relaxation and activities.

• SheXizhoudi ferry port (Fu’an Riverside Park) (from the bottom of Lane 27 to the outside the dike of Lane 107, Section 7, Yanping North Road)

Fu’an Riverside Park was once the ferry’s start point at Fuzhoudi and the largest ferry port in Shezidao. It was one of the backgrounds in the movie “Yang Ya Ren Jia” (Duck Farmers). The water flow at Xizhoudi ferries was gentle, and there were many mudflats on the shore. The environment gave water pens and fiddler crabs the opportunity to breed and thrive. Following the mudflats to the Tamsui River, there are Sanchong and Luzhou on the other side. In the early days, sampans traveled to and from Louzaicuo of Luzhou.

• Shanshuiting (No.92, Lane 242, Section 8, Yanping North Road, Shilin District)

As selected by the Liugong Irritation Association of Taipei City in 2004, the intersection of four pumping stations and outer ring road was the site to create a 80-meter-long belt of green space, in curvy design of watery waveform with multi-layers of vegetation. It was planted with Hibiscus hibiscus and Melia azedarach, as well as coastal native trees such as sea mangos, and a “Shanshuiting” (a Pavilion) was built on the spot. The project demonstrated how to apply ecological engineering method to filter the sewage in the canal until the water quality reaches the standard of acceptable purity, before being discharged into the river. Thus, it would achieve the result of environmental conservation and become a pleasing recreational attraction in the north of Shezidao.

• Illustrative Villa of Shezidao Wetland (Cyperus Ecological Restoration Zone) (Near Shezi Bridge)

Shezidao used to be the main supplier of Cyperus malaccensis (salty grass), but due to the changes of geographical environment such as climate, hydrology and ecology of the area, it is no longer the same as in the past. In order to promote the diversity and natural ecology in Shezidao, in 2006, the Hsi Liu Environmental Greening Foundation joined with the Hydraulic Engineering Office of Taipei City Government to select this location to re-create and restore the natrual ecological habitats for some native plants. In addition, in 2018, the Wetland Conservation Volunteer Society of Taipei Shilin Community college started a project of building an ecological floating island, for people to understand the importance of a functional ecological habitat. The function of ecological floating island is to provide the growth environment of native aquatic plants, as well as utilizing the photosynthesis of aquatic plants to transmit oxygen to roots and absorb nitrogen, phosphorus and other elements in water, so as to refresh the water quality and optimize cultivation, while also providing sheltering habitat and reproduction places for animals (such as waterfowl, frogs and insects) without the risk of being invaded by land animals and plants.

• Daotou Park (Section 9, Yanping North Road)

At night, overlooking the night view of Chongyang Bridge from the dike of Shezidao, even though its body is white in day, it puts on a colorful display of magnificent and dazzling lights at night, which brighten the night in Shezidao. The Guandu Bridge in the distance is even more charming than during the day, while the coffee shops along the road emit attractive coffee fragrance, luring travelers to slow down for enjoyment.

• Chungchou ferry port (Fuzhou Riverside Park) (Section 9 of Yanping North Road)

Fuzhou Riverside Park used to be the site of Chungshe Wharf, where several boats docked. As the sun set and the water sparkling, leading to Luzhou, Guandu and other places, boats were traveling to and from these locations, weaving a long series of historical events and a bit adding to the sense of tranquility.

• No. 6 Pumping Station at the Wetland of Tamsui River (following Yanping North Road into Shezidao and turn left to Lane 195, Section 9 of Yanping North Road, where Sheliu Wetland is just outside the dike at the bottom of the lane)

In 2011, the Hydraulic Engineering Office of Public Works Department, Taipei City Government, completed the cleanup of a floodplain called Sheliu Wetland, which involved the environmental cleanup and construction for future guided tour outside the embankment of Tamsui River near No.6 Pumping Station in the center. It has since then become an ecological education and observation base. Shezidao is located at the junction of the Tamsui River and the Keelung River, creating a diverse ecological habitat, including a wetland with the water purifying function to filter out pollutants and produce oxygen, as a mean of regulating climate, while providing a highly sought-after place for not only the clustering of wildlife animals, but also some foreign species, all of which depend on this rich wetland for habitat, foraging or wintering. In particular, many rare or endangered animals depend on the food provided by the wetland for survival. Therefore, the management and conservation of wetlands is not only the conservation of natural ecology, but also the improvement of the environment on which human beings depend.