Jingque Ancient Canal

Jingque Stream, located upstream of Neishuang Creek in Taipei City's Shilin District, stretches approximately 2.1 kilometers and has a watershed area of 450 hectares. The stream boasts abundant water, crystal-clear quality, and diverse ecology. Its watershed encompasses four villages in Shilin District—Jingshan, Pingdeng, Gongguan, and Xishan—serving as a primary water source for the district. The section of Jingque Stream from Jingque Bridge to Zhugao Ridge Bridge features pleasant scenery along its banks and a rich aquatic ecosystem, making it a popular destination for stream tracing enthusiasts seeking tranquil beauty. Due to its steep course and rapid flow, Jingque Stream frequently experienced erosion and sediment loss along its banks during heavy rains in the past. To address this while ensuring both watershed safety and ecological conservation, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) of the Public Works Department, Taipei City Government, implemented a comprehensive, multi-year, phased restoration plan for the catchment area. According to Huang Tian-jin, Section Chief of GEO's Debris Flow Disaster Prevention Section, the restoration of Jingque Stream utilized porous riprap construction methods. This approach incorporated water-friendly facilities along the stream while maintaining natural ecological balance, making it highly favored by stream tracing enthusiasts who come to experience it firsthand. The GEO stated that the restoration principles for Jingque Stream involved following the natural riverine terrain. Water-friendly platforms, trails, and stream bed stabilization structures were installed to create favorable habitats for aquatic life. At sections with significant drops in the streambed, long rock blocks were incorporated for energy dissipation. Additionally, sediment ponds were constructed in flatter areas of the stream, serving dual functions of flood control, water storage, and recreational use. The GEO further noted that the restoration of Jingque Stream was carried out in four sections, from its upstream (near Kaixin Farm) to its downstream tributary. In the uppermost section near Kaixin Farm, fish ladders were installed using nature-based engineering methods to facilitate fish migration and reproduction, demonstrating strong vitality. According to the GEO, Jingque Stream flows through a gully adjacent to Futian Garden Farm. Water-friendly platforms and trails were thoughtfully integrated to complement the local ecology, alongside nature-based stream bed stabilization and revetment works. This section offers a beautiful environment with clear water, and in recent years, it has increasingly become a cherished spot for stream tracing enthusiasts who often visit with companions. Further downstream, near Qingque Bridge, a water-friendly trail allows visitors to sit on the ground, immerse their feet in the cool stream, and listen to the winding, murmuring water, creating a profoundly peaceful ambiance. The GEO highlighted that a downstream tributary of Jingque Stream underwent approximately 280 meters of restoration, with cherry trees planted along its banks. These plantings, combined with water-friendly facilities, create an inviting recreational space. Every winter, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, a stroll along the blossom-laden stream banks offers a uniquely poetic experience. The GEO recommends Jingque Stream for its diverse scenery, offering panoramic views of beautiful mountains. Nestled within lush green forests, it is an ideal location for stream tracing on sunny days, perfect for stretching one's body and enjoying the water with companions. Tracing upstream along Jingque Stream, visitors can not only revel in the clear waters and picturesque riverside forest but also immerse themselves in a rich stream environment teeming with birds and native plants. Dragonflies and damselflies can be seen flitting about, and a glance downwards reveals fish like groupers, Opsariichthys, and Varicorhinus gracefully swimming. Notably, the section between Jingque Bridge and Zhugao Ridge Bridge is a newly discovered secret spot for group stream tracing. Source: Geotechnical Engineering Office, Public Works Department, Taipei City Government.