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The terraced fields of Songshan, near Jianshan Lake in Shimen District, New Taipei City, are the island’s only century-old stone terraces built from Yangmingshan volcanic rock. More than 300 years ago, early settlers used a tripod stacking method to build the slope-retaining walls of the paddies; stone after stone interlocks in elegant geometric patterns that harmonize with the surrounding country paths. Every April and May, irises bloom; from mid- to late June, cosmos flowers burst into color, and when the terraces are carpeted in blossoms the view is simply breathtaking. Rural rebirth: restoring paddies to grow Thousand-Year Rice Songshan Community is rich in terraced landscapes and natural resources, yet rural decline once drove its youth away. In 2014 the community successfully proposed a rural regeneration plan, becoming New Taipei City’s seventh such community. Terraces were replanted, this time with Japanese Koshihikari rice grown in the restored century-old stone paddies. Because the twelve participating farmers together total more than a thousand years of age, the grain is affectionately called “Thousand-Year Rice.” Shimen’s most beautiful checkerboard of fields Songshan Community combines ecological restoration with guided tours, partnering with companies, groups, and schools. Work-vacation programs repair terrace ridges and stone retaining walls, while visitors try seedling, transplanting, weeding, and harvesting. By reviving cultivation and passing on know-how, the community promotes hands-on education. It also advocates toxin-free organic farming, industry mentoring, and rural experiences, striving to recapture the spirit of traditional village life.