Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park
| Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park | |
|---|---|
| 馬太鞍濕地公園 (Chinese) | |
 | |
  Location within Hualien County  Location within Taiwan | |
| Location | Guangfu, Hualien County, Taiwan |
| Nearest city | Hualien City |
| Coordinates | 23°39′29.6″N 121°24′31.8″E / 23.658222°N 121.408833°E |
| Area | 250 acres (100 ha) |
The Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park (traditional Chinese: 馬太鞍濕地公園; simplified Chinese: 马太鞍湿地公园; pinyin: Mǎtàiān Shīdì Gōngyuán) is a wetland in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, Taiwan.
Name
[edit]Matai'an, which means tree bean, comes from the Matai'an tribe of the indigenous Amis people who inhabit the area around the wetland.[1] The wetland is also called the Fataan Wetland Ecological Park.[2]
History
[edit]The area around the wetland has been used by the local tribe for farming and fishing.[3][4] Recently, the area has been developed for tourism purpose where currently it has three inns.[5]
Since the 1970s, natural disasters have created 88 barrier lakes in Taiwan, although most of them disappeared within a year.[6] A landslide during Tropical Storm Wipha in July 2025 created a barrier lake in Matai'an. It overflowed in September of the same year, during Typhoon Ragasa, sweeping away a bridge along Provincial Highway 9 and causing flooding in Guangfu, Fenglin and Wanrong Townships.[7][8] Authorities said that 60 million tonnes of the lake's 91 million tonnes of water was discharged.[9] At least 18 people were killed while 107 others were injured. Around six people went missing[10] with 300 others stranded.[11] 60% of Guangfu's population, equivalent to 5,200 people, were forced to seek shelter in the higher floors of their residences.[9]
Geology
[edit]The wetland is located at the foot of Mount Masi and spans over an area of almost 100 hectares.[12][4] The wetland is formed by the flow of Fudeng River.[3] The wetland consists of around 100 types of water plants. It is also equipped with a bicycle trail.[13]
Ecology
[edit]Species found in this wetland are various aquatic fishes, amphibians, butterflies and shorebirds. There are also around 100 aquatic plants found in the pond.[14] The number of butterflies spike during spring time.[2]
Transportation
[edit]The wetland is accessible within walking distance southwest of Guangfu Station of Taiwan Railway.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park". Hualien Tourist Service Network. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Fataan (Mataian) Important Wetland". Taiwan's Wetland Ramsar Citizen. 18 April 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Hualien Matai-an Wetlands". Guide to Taipei. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ a b "Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park". East Rift Valley National Scenic Area. 30 October 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ Jennings, Ralph (18 July 2015). "Indigenous Taiwanese open their lands, cultures to gain acceptance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
- ^ "樺加沙颱風：五大看點解釋台灣花蓮災情為何如此慘重？". BBC News 中文 (in Traditional Chinese). 25 September 2025. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
- ^ "Hualien township swamped by flooding from lake; vehicles swept away". Focus Taiwan. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Matai'an Creek Barrier Lake overflow". Focus Taiwan - CNA English News. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ a b "New flood fears spook evacuees after Super Typhoon Ragasa kills 15 in Taiwan". CNA. 24 September 2025. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ "Recovered body in Hualien confirmed as missing farm worker - Focus Taiwan". Focus Taiwan - CNA English News. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
- ^ "2 dead, 3 missing after barrier lake overflow in Hualien". Focus Taiwan. 23 September 2025. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
- ^ "Matai'an Wetland Ecological Park". Taiwan Medical Travel. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
- ^ "Guangfu Township -- Sugar canefields and ancient tribes harmony". Taiwan Tour. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ Taiwan Tourism Bureau (11 May 2020). "Go East for a Wonderful Taiwan Adventure". AmCham Taiwan. Retrieved 1 November 2021.
