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Hatta Yoichi's Reservoir Miracle

Updates:2026-08-27
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Travel days: 1 day
Season: All Seasons
Category: Featured Itinerary
Introduction
Step into Wushantou Reservoir and discover how Japanese engineer Hatta Yoichi built a world-class hydraulic engineering project, transforming once water-scarce farmland into fertile fields with bountiful harvests year after year. Stroll through the memorial park steeped in Japanese charm, cruise the reservoir on a solar-powered boat for views of lake and mountains, and travel back to Taiwan a century ago on this classic route blending history, nature, and a romantic love story!
Wushantou Reservoir
Route: Hatta Yoichi Memorial Park → Kuahong Suspension Bridge (3D photo spot) → Solar-powered boat tour of the reservoir → Lunch at Wusanto Huching Resort Hotel (reservation required) → Statue of Engineer Hatta, steam locomotive, and reservoir dam → Return
Hatta Yoichi Memorial ParkHatta Yoichi Memorial Park
Hatta Yoichi Memorial Park was established to honor Hatta Yoichi, the engineer who built the Chianan Canal. Wander through Coral Court, a garden modeled after Japan's Kenroku-en, and visit Hatta House, a Japanese-style wooden building restored from its original blueprints, as you take in the quiet elegance and nostalgic atmosphere of traditional Japanese architecture.

Kuahong Suspension Bridge and 3D MuralsKuahong Suspension Bridge and 3D Murals
Kuahong Suspension Bridge once served as the main passage spanning the two sides of the reservoir's spillway. At the bridge entrance, a 3D mural creates the illusion of floating above rocks when photographed, making it one of the park's most popular photo spots.

Solar-Powered Boat TourSolar-Powered Boat Tour

Wushantou Reservoir offers more than land-based exploration—hop aboard a solar-powered boat and glide from the shore toward the heart of the reservoir, taking in views where lake and mountains meet. As a guide shares stories about the reservoir's facilities and anecdotes from when Hatta Yoichi was building the reservoir, you will come away with a deeper understanding of its history.

Statue of Engineer HattaStatue of Engineer Hatta
This statue was proposed and funded by the workers who took part in the reservoir's construction to honor Hatta Yoichi's dedication. It stands on the dam of Wushantou Reservoir, facing the reservoir he devoted his life to building and the vast Jianan Plain beyond. Every May 8, the anniversary of his death, residents and visitors bring flowers to pay tribute and thank him for his profound contribution to Taiwan's water infrastructure.


The Locomotive Used to Build the Reservoir
When construction on Wushantou Reservoir began in 1920, a dedicated railway was built to transport the massive volume of materials, equipment, and workers involved. Seven steam locomotives imported from Belgium carried out this vital transport work and also served as the main means of transportation for local residents at the time. Today, the last surviving antique locomotive in Taiwan is on display atop the dam, standing as a quiet witness to the reservoir's century-long history.

Wushantou Reservoir DamWushantou Reservoir Dam
Built in 1930, the dam gathers water within the valley to form a vast, coral-like lake, earning it the poetic name Coral Lake. As you walk along the dam, you can admire lake-and-mountain views on one side, while the expansive Jianan Plain stretches into the distance on the other. With its fresh air, gentle breezes, and open scenery, this is an ideal place for a relaxed walk.

Xiangxie BoulevardXiangxie Boulevard (Seasonal)
Viewing season: February–March
It is said that Hatta Yoichi planted Gliricidia sepium along this boulevard to ease his wife's homesickness. Each early spring, the entire boulevard bursts into bloom with pink flowers; when the breeze blows, petals drift gently through the air in a romantic, moving scene!
Fees
Wushantou Reservoir admission: NT$ 100 (full price), NT$ 60 (half price), NT$ 40 (concession)
Parking fees: NT$ 80 (buses), NT$ 50 (cars), NT$ 20 (motorcycles)
Solar-powered boat tour: NT$ 300 per person
For detailed ticketing information, please visit the official website of Wushantou Reservoir Scenic Area.
Note
Hatta Yoichi Memorial Park is closed on Wednesdays.
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