Liugong Canal, Ancient irrigation waterway in Xindian District, Taipei, Taiwan.
Liugong Canal is an ancient irrigation system that extends from the Keelung River in the north to the Wenshan District, creating a network of water passages throughout Taipei. The waterway connected water sources to agricultural areas and enabled transport along the channels.
The system was created in early times to direct water from the Keelung River to drier areas of Taipei and support farming. During the 1970s, much of the canal was covered over due to urban expansion, removing this historical infrastructure from view.
The waterway was woven into daily life for generations, shaping how people in this area related to water and farming. Older residents still recall when boats moved through the channels and water flow regulated the agricultural seasons.
The best places to see remnants of the canal are at the north end of Xinsheng Road, where the original structure remains partly visible. It helps to explore the area during drier seasons when water levels drop and more details of the old construction become visible.
Current plans propose uncovering several sections of the buried canal to restore ecological functions and demonstrate historical water management. These restoration projects could reveal how people managed water in urban areas long before modern systems existed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
