The Dapo Pond () is a

pond A pond is a small, still, land-based body of water formed by pooling inside a depression (geology), depression, either naturally or artificiality, artificially. A pond is smaller than a lake and there are no official criteria distinguishing ...

in Chihshang Township,

Taitung County Taitung () is the third largest county in Taiwan, located primarily on the island's southeastern coast and also including Green Island, Orchid Island and Lesser Orchid Island. The seat is located in Taitung City. Name While its name means "East ...

Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

History

The pond was originally called Dabi. In early years, the fish and shrimp found in Chihshang came from Dapo area. During the

Japanese rule of Taiwan The Geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, together with the Penghu, Penghu Islands, became an annexed territory of the Empire of Japan in 1895, when the Qing dynasty ceded Taiwan Province, Fujian-Taiwan Province in the Treaty of Shimonoseki a ...

, the pond had a surface area of 55 hectares and there were abundant fish and shrimp inside the water. Lotuses and water chestnuts also grew in the pond. After the handover of Taiwan from Japan to the

Republic of China Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...

in 1945, the pond became one of the ten scenic sights of Taitung County under the title ''The Fishing Line of Chihshang''. However, after the Large Dapo Drainage Ditch water conservation facility, natural silting and other factors, the surface area of the pond gradually shrinks.

Geology

Dapo Pond is an inland freshwater swamp. It was formed as a result of fault activity in Chihshang. Its water comes from an underground stream located at the tip of the alluvial fan of Xinwulyu River. The pond river flows northward towards the lowlands, which then becomes the source of

Xiuguluan River The Xiuguluan River () is the eighth-longest river in Taiwan with a total length of . It is located in the southeastern part of the island. It flows through the Huadong Valley before emptying into the Pacific Ocean in Fengbin, Hualien. Overv ...

. Under the planning and revitalization efforts from

Taitung County Government The Taitung County Government () is the local government of Taitung County, Taiwan Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', li ...

, the pond now has a surface area of around 20 hectares with another 20 hectares on its surrounding embankments and wetlands.

Features

The area around the lake features several facilities, such as bike routes, footpath, pavilions, fishing area, bird watching area and garden.

Activities

The area was the venue for the light show of the 2017 Taiwan International Balloon Festival.

Transportation

The lake is accessible within walking distance south east of Chishang Station of Taiwan Railways.

References