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Review: Wushantou Reservoir (烏山頭水庫)

Wushantou Reservoir (烏山頭水庫)

Construction of the Wushantou Reservoir began in 1920 and was completed in 1930. It became the Wushantou Scenic Area in 1969. The reservoir has been nicknamed “Coral Lake.” This is because when looking down from the sky, the zigzagging shore resembles the appearance of coral. The Coral Lake is formed from the convergence of 30 rivers. The water surface area is close to 13 square kilomters. The water from the reservoir is used to irrigate Chianan Plain’s 90,000 hectares of farmland, which produces the largest amount of rice in Taiwan.

If you are interested in a tour of the Ancient Tainan Capital and the Wushantou Reservoir, you can purchase your tickets here.

Attractions:

  • Bronze Statue of Yoichi Hatta
  • Monument of Fallen Workers
  • Old Floodgates
  • Power Station
  • Pressure Adjustor
  • Sakura Avenue
  • Spillway
  • Steam Locomotive
  • Suspension Bridge
  • Temple of Heaven Park
  • Water Theme Park
  • Wushantou Reservoir Dam
  • Yoichi Hatta Memorial Park

Bronze Statue of Yoichi Hatta

Bronze Statue of Yoichi Hatta
Bronze Statue of Yoichi Hatta

To praise and commemorate Yoichi Hatta for his significant contribution to the development of water resources in southwest Taiwan, local farmers and colleagues erected this statue. It depicts Hatta wearing his workwear and sitting deep in thought, considering how to build the reservoir. Behind the statue is the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Hatta.

Monument of Fallen Workers

Monument of Fallen Workers
Monument of Fallen Workers

Just before Wushantou Reservoir was completed, the workers organized a “Friendship Organization” in order to stay in touch with one another. Yoichi Hatta was elected as the chairman. The “friendship Organization” erected a monument in memory of the 134 workers who died due to construction injuries.

Old Floodgates

Old Floodgates
Old Floodgates

On the 1st of September 1945, due to the sudden loss of her husband, and seeing that her second son, Yasuo, had not returned from war, Hatta’s wife, Toyoki, leapt, into the canal and ended her life at the age of 45. It is said that the Old Floodgates is where Toyoki committed suicide.

Power Station

Power Station
Power Station

The Wushantou Reservoir Hydro Power Plant was completed in 2002, and began generating electricity. Its annual power production is around 42,170,000 KWh.

Pressure Adjuster

Pressure Adjuster

The pressure adjuster was built to regulate the water pressure in the penstocks. It can release water to keep the pressure at a safe level.

Steam Locomotive

Steam Locomotive
Original steam locomotive used to build the reservoir

The steam locomotive which was used to build the reservoir is kept on display in the scenic area. The locomotive was manufactured in Belgium, and was mainly used to carry ruble, materials, staff, and residents. It is preserved here to honor its contributions and to show later generations how hard the task of construction was at the time.

Suspension Bridge

Suspension Bridge
Suspension Bridge

The suspension bridge, originally built in 1930, was 79 meters long, 2.3 meters wide, and could hold up to 10 people. For the first time, it allowed the villagers access to Chianan village from the spillway. Rebuilt in 1986, it is now called the “Rainbow Bridge.”

Temple of Heaven Park

Temple of Heaven Park
Temple of Heaven Park

The Temple of Heaven is a dignified complex of ornate buildings set in gardens and surrounded by historic pine woods. The layout and design of the buildings symbolize the relationship between earth and heaven – the human world and the spirit world. The temple here is modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, which was visited by the ancient emperors each year to pray to Heaven for a good harvest.

Review

I had to tried to visit the Wushantou Reservoir a week prior, but it was closed when I got there and the weather wasn’t great. This time I came earlier in the day so I could make sure I could see everything in time.

When I pulled up to the front-gate, I had to purchase a ticket. The people there speak with a strong accent and I couldn’t understand what they were saying. I ended up paying $200 NTD for a ticket which I thought was a little expensive.

I’m not sure if I bought the ticket for the water park or some of the other activities, but I just wanted to drive around the reservoir and walk around occasionally.

I’m not sure the ticket price is worth the experience, but the view I saw of the reservoir almost made it worth it.

Wushantou Reservoir
View of the reservoir

Recommendation: Pass

Location