What is?

GaoMei wetlands 高美濕地 is a nature reserve akin to Singapore's Sungei Buloh. Filled with natural resources and enriched with a vast biodiversity. There was once more than 120 over species of birds over at this wetlands and is still considered as an important conservation area in Taichung, Taiwan. Every Autumn/Winter there will be numerous species of birds flocking over to the wetlands seeking shelter for the change in seasons. 

Rediscovered Again

Interestingly, this secret hideout. previously unknown and unheard of even to the locals, became famous overnight when it appeared in Taiwanese singer Jam Hsiao's "Burning Piano" video.  However, Jam Hsiao was eventually fined was filming at the location "illegally" as he did not obtain approval prior. 
Now many, locals and overseas visitors flock over to visit this scenic, picturesque location, perfect for that Instagram-envy shot. 

Colorful Sunsets and Windmills

On good days, you can witness beautiful sunset/sunrise and this was also part of the reason why I was there — chasing the hues of sunsets. However, on that day, it was way too cloudy. Luck was not on our side and the sun went into hiding.

As with everything weather, things were really hard to predict. we enjoyed the bright hot sun throughout the day ( as you can see from Post 1 to 4 of Play! Outskirt Taichung) but came to the finale in the evening and the sun got covered up by the clouds.. :( 

Below is the only capture of a peek of the sun before it went into hiding by the clouds. 

Special features are the turbine generated windmills at the far end. 

Walk The Trail

Ever since Gao Mei garnered much attention from the public, to allow more visitors to experience the beauty and appreciate the untouched nature of the wetland, a planked walkway has been built exclusively for visitors to walk around.

Symbolism of the wetland are these mudskippers which can be spotted easily,

Sedges can be spotted growing as you enter the wetland. Wild geese too if you are lucky. 

Experience Walking

A little treat came at the end of the trail when you are able to take off your shoes and walk on the soft sands. Rest assured your feet won't come out dirty in fact, I saw many coming up from the sand walk and exclaimed how surprised they were to find that their feet remain clean. 

Famished?

If you are hungry after the walk, there are many snacks stalls around to fill up the void :)
The guide recommended this Ah Mah's stall and we had sausages. See the black piece of thing she was preparing below? That's 猪血糕 literally pig's blood, a local snack loved by many.


There's a whole stretch of snack stalls famed for their BBQ fresh squids, caught near the sea nearby and were cheaper than other locations sold.

Address: Gaomei Rd, Qingshui District, Taichung City, Taiwan 436
台中縣清水鎮大甲溪南岸

http://www.gaomei.com.tw/

Most visitors go up via taxis. In my upcoming posts, I will list the contacts of the driver whom I engaged for this trip.

Directions

 I stumbled upon their official website and they listed the ways for public transport
http://www.gaomei.com.tw/traffic-public/ :