Xinfeng Mangrove Nature Reserve is a coastal ecological protection area at the mouth of the Xinfeng River in Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu County, designated in 1989 and covering approximately 8.5 hectares. It is one of the few places in northern Taiwan where kandelia (Kandelia obovata) and grey mangrove (Avicennia marina) grow mixed together, making it the only reserve of its kind in the region. A roughly 400-meter boardwalk trail winds through the forest, home to large numbers of egret-family waterbirds as well as fiddler crabs and mudskippers, and it is an important birdwatching and ecological education site in northern Hsinchu County.
The reserve was designated an ecological protection area in 1989 and covers approximately 8.5 hectares. Its roughly 400-meter boardwalk is one of the few reserve trails in Taiwan built specifically for viewing mangroves, and the area is the only place in northern Taiwan where kandelia and grey mangrove grow together as a mixed stand.
What to see at Xinfeng Mangrove Nature Reserve
Kandelia is the most common mangrove species in Taiwan, known for its viviparous seedlings — pencil-shaped propagules that hang from the branches before dropping and taking root. The kandelia stand at Xinfeng is distributed along both banks of the river mouth, with dense interlocking canopies. As tides rise and fall, the root systems are alternately submerged and exposed, creating a distinctive aquatic forest environment. The reserve is a legally designated protected area; visitors must stay outside the forest boundary and observe from the embankment.
The forest edge and river mouth are feeding grounds for herons, egrets, and night herons. In the early morning and at dusk, when flocks gather in the treetops, the scene is impressive. The Xinfeng coastline also serves as a stopover for transiting raptors and small migratory birds, with the richest birdwatching in autumn (approximately September to November).
Tips for getting the most out of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and timing
- By car: Follow the coastal road to Hongmao Harbor in Xinfeng Township; roadside parking is available. Some sections are rural roads — watch the road condition.
- The reserve is legally designated; visitors are limited to observation from outside the mangrove boundary. Open for observation year-round; no admission fee.
Nearby connections
- The Xinfeng coastline is adjacent to the Guanyin coastal area in Taoyuan; combining both for a nature day trip along the Taoyuan-Hsinchu border is possible.
- Xinfeng Station (TRA) is some distance from the reserve; driving is recommended, or look into local shuttle options in the Xinfeng area.
Sources: The Wikipedia entry for Xinfeng Mangrove Nature Reserve and records from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of place is Xinfeng Mangrove Nature Reserve?
It is a coastal ecological protection area at the mouth of the Xinfeng River in Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu County, designated in 1989 and covering about 8.5 hectares, known for its mixed kandelia and grey mangrove forest and egret habitat.
Can visitors walk into the mangrove forest?
No — the reserve prioritizes ecological protection, and visitors may only observe from the roughly 400-meter boardwalk or the embankment; entering the mangrove forest itself is not permitted.
When is the best season to visit?
Autumn (roughly September to November) brings the richest birdwatching as migratory birds pass through, and low tide is the best time to see the exposed mangrove root systems.
What makes this reserve unique?
It is the only reserve in northern Taiwan where kandelia and grey mangrove grow together as a mixed stand, a combination rarely found elsewhere in the region.
Sources
- 新豐紅樹林生態保護區 - TravelKing旅遊王 — 面積8.5公頃、1989年劃設、木棧道長度等資訊
- 北臺灣唯一混生紅樹林園區在新豐 - 微笑台灣 — 水筆仔與海茄苳混生紅樹林說明