aeeble

White Stone Lake—Origin of the Place Name
When it comes to "White Stone Lake," we must first understand the origin of its name! It is said that in earlier times, the local pioneers referred to relatively low and open areas within the mountainous regions as "lakes," based on the natural hollows formed by the terrain. Additionally, the area was abundant in white granitic sandstone, giving rise to the name "White Stone Lake." Hence, White Stone Lake is not actually a lake! During the late Qing Dynasty under the Guangxu Emperor's reign, a stone quarry was established in the Neihu mountainous area, from which materials were sourced for building the Taipei City Wall. Furthermore, due to its strategic importance, White Stone Lake became an ancient battleground during March of the 52nd year of the Qianlong era (1787 A.D.) when Lin Xiao-wen, a follower of Lin Shuang-wen's rebellion, fought against the Qing forces. This place was also home to the Kadagran Kadagaran tribe.

It is said that the Kadagaran tribe originally inhabited the Keelung River western bank near Songshan, but gradually migrated to the White Stone Lake area due to the influences of Han Chinese settlement. Consequently, they renamed themselves "New Kadagaran" to distinguish from the "Old Kadagaran" of original Songshan. By now, the Kadagaran tribe has disappeared after integrating into Han society. After Taiwan's liberation, the area was renamed "Emerald Village" due to the presence of the Bishan Yan Kechang Holy King Temple there. It was officially renamed "Bishan Community" in the 57th year of the Republic of China (1968) and retained the name since.

Encompassed by Mountains—White Stone Lake
The White Stone Lake community, surrounded by mountains, has a history of development dating back over 200 years to the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty. It is encircled by Bishan Mountain, White Stone Lake Mountain, Da Lunte Mountain, Kaiyan Mountain, Dajian Mountain (now Zhongyong Mountain), and Xiaojian Mountain (now Yuanjue Mountain). It is the highest-altitude community in the Neihu District, with elevations ranging between 250 and 450 meters.

The White Stone Lake area features valley terrain and a subtropical broad-leaved forest ecosystem. Along with its suitability for leisure agriculture, it is combined with hiking trails around the area, such as White Stone Lake Mountain, Da Lunte Mountain, Kaiyan Mountain, and Longchuan Yan. These trails serve as a refreshing green haven for locals and a popular choice for weekend getaways among Taipei residents. Key recreational attractions in the White Stone Lake area include the White Stone Lake Suspension Bridge, Houhu Wetland (Concentric-Circle Ecological Wetland), Ancient Cone Pond, Couples' Tree, and the Huang Family Ancient House (Ziyun Ju).

Neihu Strawberry Season
The strawberry season in Neihu District of Taipei City lasts from December annually to May of the following year, with the peak harvest occurring from March to April. There are multiple strawberry farms in Neihu suitable for a family-friendly day trip for families, couples, or gatherings of friends. Some of the farms also offer agricultural experience programs such as DIY strawberry jam and DIY wood-fired pizza-making workshops. While savoring fresh strawberries, visitors can also enjoy the beautiful mountain vistas of Neihu.

(Source: White Stone Lake Leisure Agriculture District)