aeeble

Lianhua Lake is the only natural alpine lake within Taroko National Park. Situated on a tail ridge of Chao-dun Shan, across from the hairpin bend of the Central Cross-Island Highway, it lies along the northern extension of the Taukse Valley. With an altitude of 1,180 meters and a diameter of over 500 meters, the lake was originally called "Heavenly Pool" (or "Tian Tan") during Japanese rule. The name was later changed to Lianhua Lake due to the proliferation of water hyacinths on the pond. The water hyacinths gradually died off, however, after veterans introduced grass carp to breed in the lake. Combined with significant leaky conditions of the pond, water levels often receded to only a small pool. As aging veterans who had cultivated the land around the lake gradually passed away and moved away, the surrounding agricultural fields gradually fell into disrepair. The area slowly regained natural status, transforming Lianhua Lake into a rich ecological haven. Here, various bird species, butterflies and fish from both high and low altitudes gather, while local wildlife frequently visits this area.