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| Paths meander through the Fuzhou Artificial Wetland |
Fuzhou Artificial Wetland is a tranquil 40 hectare park with abundant bird and aquatic life on the Dahan River. There are two main paths leading through the park as well as some side paths and numerous ponds. Wetlands process wastewater, provide crucial habitat for birds and other animals and serve as a buffer in the case of extreme climatic events. The Fuzhou Artificial Wetland treats 30,000 tons of wastewater per day.
Distance/Time: 4.ll km/ About an hour. I also rode a bike to the wetland from my apartment which added about 20 kilometers of cycling along the riverside path.
Trail
Conditions: This is an easy walk though actually I rode a Ubike slowly most of the time, stopping frequently to view the ponds. Some parts of the path were muddy because it had rained a lot in the previous days. There are two wide dirt paths and later a paved path as well as some unofficial paths that usually lead to fishing spots or good places to view the ponds.
What to take: Nothing special is needed.
Transportation: Public transportation was a little challenging at first. The brochure about the park had incorrect transportation information. It said to take the MRT to Fuzhong station and then take bus 841. As far as I can tell this bus does not exist. I tried taking a Ubike from the MRT station to the park but reached a bridge with no bike lane and decided to turn back.
A couple of days later I was at home and looking at the map realized the park was only about an hour's bike ride from where I live. So I rode a Ubike from my apartment to the park which turned out to be easy and a nice ride.
It is very close to the Fuzhou Train station. So taking a train might be a good option or just taking the MRT to Fuzhong MRT Station and then a taxi.
The walk/bike ride:
I think that urban wet lands are a fascinating example of how constructed human environments interact with the natural environment. Back in December I did a similar walk near the Guandu Nature Park and bird sanctuary:
https://taiwanhikingjournal.blogspot.com/2021/11/guandu-nature-park-and-guandu-temple_21.html
Somewhere I had picked up a brochure about the Fuzhou Artificial Wetland and since then had been looking for an opportunity to visit.
When I saw this sign I knew I was at the right place since they were the same frogs that were on the brochure.
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| The main entrance to the park |
You can take any path through the park. Its a great place for taking your time and following your steps wherever they lead.
First, I took a narrow grassy path which I guessed was an unofficial trail. It led to a view of the Dahan River.
There were two wide paths going into the park and I took the second one and returned by the first.
It was a slightly rainy, overcast day during Chinese New Year and I did not see many other visitors but I did see a few people fishing and a few other people cycling. It seems fishing with a rod is permitted but there were signs prohibiting net fishing.
I stopped often to look at birds and the ponds. The lotus ponds were not in bloom but seeing the leaves covering every surface of some ponds I can only imagine what they look like when in bloom.
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| One of the lotus ponds. I definitely plan to return to see the them in bloom. |
Later the path was a little more narrow and muddy. Cycling slowly was no problem and I was not in a hurry in any case.
The muddy path joined a paved path and then emerged near Fuzhou Bridge.
I went a little further and came to a dog park and a huge open grassy area but after a quick loop around this area I went back into the wetlands park and went back to the start by a different path.
This is definitely a park worth visiting. I look forward to going back again in the early morning when the birds will be more active and of course want to return when the lotus flowers are in bloom.
Google maps address and map:
https://my.viewranger.com/track/details/MjE4MzI4MjY=
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