When people think of Miaoli they tend to picture the mountain-side Hakka villages, but the coastal Yuanli is the true "granary of Miaoli." The plains below Huoyantshan, formed by the alluvial deposits of the Daan River, are fertile and well-irrigated — this area has been a rice-growing hub since the Qing era and is equally famous for its rush weaving. Yuanli Township's "Mountain Water Rice" brand is known for its duck-rice co-farming organic cultivation, giving Yuanli Rice a distinctive standing in Taiwan's organic rice market. It is a rare agricultural representative from Miaoli's coastal side.
What is Yuanli Rice
Yuanli Rice refers broadly to rice grown in Yuanli Township, Miaoli County. The main varieties are Taijeng No. 9 and Taizhong No. 192 — premium table rice known for plump, glossy, translucent grains with a springy, fragrant, and sweet eating quality. Yuanli sits on the alluvial plain of the Daan River, with mineral-rich soil, a large day-to-night temperature difference, and irrigation water drawn from the pristine Xueshan mountain range waterways. Combined with multi-generational paddy cultivation techniques passed down within the township, Yuanli Rice has earned a strong reputation for quality on the coastal side, with Yuanli farm families regularly placing in rice cooking competitions over the years.
Yuanli Township's "Mountain Water Rice" established an organic rice farm in 1996 and pioneered the "duck-rice farming" method: ducklings are released into the paddies to eat golden apple snails, harmful insects, and weeds, while their droppings serve as natural fertilizer — eliminating the need for pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It is one of Taiwan's representative organic rice brands and is listed as a local specialty industry on the Miaoli County Culture and Tourism website. Yuanli is also known as the "home of rush weaving," with rice farming and rush weaving practiced side by side, making it the coastal township with the deepest cultural heritage. The nearby Yuanli Township Farmers' Association also supplies locally grown rice and processed products.
How to eat it like a local
Local knowledge
Verified facts (sponsor-filtered)
- Mountain Water Rice organic farm is a representative of Taiwan's duck-rice co-farming organic rice; it is listed on the Miaoli County Government tourism website.
- Yuanli Township is the primary rice-growing area in Miaoli County and is also called "the granary of Miaoli."
- The Yuanli Township Farmers' Association has worked for years to improve rice quality and promote local rice foods.
Tips for visiting
- Mountain Water Rice organic farm offers guided tours by reservation — a chance to learn about the duck-rice co-farming process, suitable for families with children.
- After purchasing new-season rice, store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature; once opened, refrigerate and use promptly.
- Yuanli also has the Rush Weaving Culture Museum — combining both into a half-day itinerary makes the trip more worthwhile.
Information compiled from the Miaoli County Government Tourism Bureau, township and district farmers' associations, and large-scale public reviews; sponsored listings have been excluded. Photos to be replaced with channel-exclusive footage after Dio's on-site shoot.