SHANSHUILU ECOLOGICAL PARK
To imagine what was once a dreadful landfill being resurrected as a welcoming oasis, a place of regrowth, seems too farfetched. However, Shanshuilu Ecological Park (山水綠生態公園) was once the Shanzhuku Sanitary Landfill Site (山豬窟垃圾衛生掩埋場), located in the southeast corner of Nangang District in eastern Taipei. In 2003, plans to convert this large landfill began. Once the landfill was officially closed in 2011, more than 1,700 trees were planted. Shortly after, wildlife began to return to the massive 21-hectare area, which is said to be the largest tree-covered area in all of Nangang. Much of the waste management infrastructure, or the very waste itself, has been converted and repurposed. The former recycling plant has now become the visitor center, and the garbage truck wash bay enjoys a second life as a cafe. Hundreds of thousands of aluminum cans are now an art installation, and old power poles are the support beams for an observation deck. (You might also like: Flower Viewing in Taipei: Three Routes Recommended for Couples, Friends, and Families)
This park is the place to go if you want to relax in the sunshine or ride a bike, which is free for visitors. Don’t forget to bring your picnic blanket and lunch with you, as you might stay there longer than you think. Kids can never get enough of the zip lines and sand pit in the park.
Shanshuilu, meaning green mountains and water, is inspired by the poem “Fishermen (漁翁)” by the Tang Dynasty (唐朝) poet Liu Zongyuan (柳宗元), a statue of whom stands as a monument in the park. It is a step in the right direction that the young generation can seek inspiration from.
Shanshuilu Ecological Park
HSIN HSIN PARK
Located in the eastern part of the city, Hsin Hsin Park (新新公園) in Nangang was opened to the public in early 2020. Considering the Nangang area serves as a key transportation hub between Taipei and its neighboring cities in the east, Keelung (基隆) and Yilan (宜蘭), in the near future, the park is expected to decrease the “heat island effect” and dissipate the heat in the area to make the entire region much more livable and sustainable.
The park is a picturesque wetland with wooden walkways crossing over the water. The gargantuan Taipei 101 can be seen in the city skyline in the distance. Sunset is the perfect time to snap a couple of photos. Besides the scenery, the centerpiece of the park is the double slide with a miniature rockclimbing wall on top of the hill, which is perfect for thrill-seeking kids (and parents). There is also a zipline and other interesting playground equipment to keep everyone entertained. All the park amenities are brand new and the toilet blocks are close to the playground. (Read more: 6 things to do in Taipei that should be on every visitor’s bucket list)
Hsin Hsin Park is only a short walk from MRT Kunyang Station (捷運昆陽站), making it very easy to get to. This spot is perfect for a little family picnic, and it’s totally free; a nice addition to the already extensive selection of parks in Taipei.
Hsin Hsin Park
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COVID-19 alert
A friendly reminder: Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, there might be safety/hygiene measures enforced at each destination, such as the mandatory wearing of masks or temperature check.
This article is reproduced under the permission of TAIPEI. Original content can be found at the website of Taipei Travel Net (www.travel.taipei/en).
