Taijiang National ParkTaijiang National Park

The Tainan City Government's Shanhaizhen Greenway Project is a collective effort to build a 45-kilometer bicycle path that links the Yanshui River drainage canal, Chianan Irrigation Canal, and the Wushantou Dam. The section of Greenway running through Taijiang National Park is called the “Taijiang National Park Ecological Protection Greenway”. Cycle or stroll along the Greenway for an immersive experience of the history of development of the Taijiang region, and admire the natural beauty of the national park.

Several kilometers of Casuarina windbreak lines the greenway between Zengwen Estuary and Luermen Estuary. It is a rich ecological resource. You can cycle along the greenway to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the woods and waterways.

Qingshan Fishing Port is located at the northernmost region of Taijiang National Park. It is situated along a river channel that is bordered by the Qingshan Port Sand Bar to the west, which calms the water of the fishing port. Qingkunshen Fishing Village lies to the east, while the other three sides are flanked by water, which is a special characteristic of this region.

Local residents refer to the point of convergence of the old salt transportation canal and Yanshui River and its drainage canals as “Sicao Lake”. Mangrove sand bars were formed from sediments deposited in the old Taijiang inland sea, which supports a complete ecosystem comprised of primarily Avicennia marina mangrove forests and an intertidal habitat that provides a feeding and nesting ground for many birds.

Sicao Mangrove Green Tunnel is located behind Sicao Dazhong Temple. The beautiful tunnel is formed from the overarching branches of mangrove trees that line either side of the channel. Here, you can observe mangrove species such as Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa, Lumnitzera racemosa, Excoecaria agallocha and Pittosporum formosanum. You can also spot fiddler crabs, mudskippers, and other intertidal organisms scuttling around busily.

Qigu Lagoon is bordered by the Wangzailiao Sand Bar to the west. Locals refer to sand bars as “汕 (shan)”. At the center of the sand bar is a primarily Casuarina windbreak where flocks of egrets regularly return to nest each evening. During the low tide, spot groups of Mictyris (monk crab) as they emerge to forage for food. If you follow the boardwalk westward through the windbreak, you will eventually arrive at a great expanse of sea that is the Taiwan Strait. This is also an excellent spot from which to observe coastal plants and the sand dune. You will need to take a raft ride here.

This exhibition center belongs to the Endemic Species Research Institute (ESRI). It introduces spoonbills and black-faced spoonbills, providing information about their diet, migratory patterns, natural habitat, mating behavior, etc. There are black-faced spoonbill specimens, an introduction to the wetland ecology, and the history of conservation of the coast of Tainan. You can take a guided tour or watch their video screenings.

The campus is nestled within the Sicao Fish Pond Area to the north of Sicao Boulevard and to the south of Yanshui River. It was officially opened on 13 Jan 2016. In addition to maintaining the existing landscape, its stilted “floating building” structure allowed for the preservation of the existing fish pond upon which it stands. A network of waterways connects the campus’s fish ponds and links them to the adjacent Chianan Irrigation Canal so that the water level of the ponds ebbs and flows with the tide; this allows for a steady inflow of nutrients to create a high-quality habitat for plankton, fish, shrimp, and shellfish. The campus provides a great place for visitors to observe the ecosystem of a fish pond, and is certified as a “Diamond-grade Green Building”. Furthermore, in order to allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Taijiang’s history, humanities, industry and culture, the “Taijiang Island” concept behind the architectural form of the campus was inspired by drawings of Taijiang villages on ancient maps. By studying the layout of Taijiang villages and using software to simulate seasonal climate changes, the campus was designed to mimic Taijiang villages replete with courtyards, alleys, and buildings of various sizes to harness local prevailing winds and solar energy (e.g. to block the cold northern wind in winter while allowing the west wind to cool the campus in summer). The existing mixed forest and ecosystems were preserved to protect the habitat of native species, making the campus a small-scale representation of the history, humanities, ecology, and industry of Taijiang. Apart from its unique appearance, the campus uses exhibits, models and multimedia to introduce visitors to the highlights of Taijiang National Park, such as its culture and humanities, ecosystems, and its industries. You can watch a video documentary, take a break or join a tour; this is the perfect introduction to the Taijiang National Park. We believe that you can better appreciate the beauty of the national park wetlands after visiting the visitor center.   Opening Hours and Services Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 Closed on: Mondays (closed on Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday), the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year, and on other days as announced. (1) Scheduled Tours (4 times a day, 20~30 mins each) 10:00/11:00/14:30/15:30 (2) Film Screenings   Film Screenings Film Description Showtimes Film Duration Fertile Fields, Fruitful Seas - A Brief Introduction to Taijiang National Park 9:30 23 mins Amidst the Tides, A Story of Life in Taijiang - Taijiang’s Wetland Ecology 10:30 28 mins The Passenger in the Wind - The Black-faced Spoonbill 11:30 33 mins Fertile Fields, Fruitful Seas- A Brief Introduction to Taijiang National Park 14:00 23 mins Amidst the Tides, A Story of Life in Taijiang- Taijiang’s Wetland Ecology 15:00 28 mins The Passenger in the Wind - The Black-faced Spoonbill 16:00 33 mins

The Liukong Service Station & Visitor Center is located in Qigu District. Its name is derived from having 6 drainage holes (Liukong is “six holes” in Chinese). The Service Station is very suitable as a first stop on your visit to Qigu and its surrounding areas. The Service Station not only boasts the abundant natural ecology of a national park, but also has a rich variety of exhibits featuring not only the fishing and salt industries of the area but also the social culture and history of the region. The Service Station provides travel information consulting, guided tours, and feature videos. When visitors enter the Visitor Center, they are greeted by a service desk in the shape of a ship’s bow. The “crew” of the ship are available to assist visitors with all inquiries. The intricately designed wetland and lagoon exhibit areas allow visitors a space to slow down their paces and marvel at the wonders of the rich ecology of Taijiang National Park. In addition to the static exhibits, one of the most exciting highlights of the Visitor Center is the multimedia 2D and 3D virtual tour. The earliest show starts at 10:30 am, and can seat 45 occupants. Please remember to check the latest schedules before you come! Liukong Service Station and Visitor Center - Service Hours Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:30 Closing Hours: Every Monday and on New Year’s Eve (Chinese New Year) Video Exhibits Schedule Title Start Time The passenger in the wind 10:30 am Taijiang National Park Introduction 11:40 am Taijiang National Park Introduction (additional show on public holidays) 01:30 pm Taijiang National Park Introduction 02:30 pm The passenger in the wind 03:30 pm Taijiang National Park Introduction (additional show on public holidays) 04:00 pm