Lantan Lake and Renyitan Reserviour 蘭潭及仁義潭水庫

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Lantan Lake, also known as orchid lake, and Renyitan Reservior are two reservoirs right next to each other near Chiayi City, drawing water from the Bazhang River (八掌溪). The reservoirs are interconnected, and together they serve as main source of Chiayi City's water, and date back to the Dutch rule of Taiwan. Both are also great places to relax and enjoy the scenery near Chiayi.

Background:
Lantan Lake Reservior 蘭潭水庫:
Lantan Lake dates back to the Dutch Rule of Taiwan in the1600s. The Bazhang River was dug out and dammed by the dutch to provide irrigation to the surrounding farmland, which produced crops for the Dutch East India Trading Company. 
After the Dutch rule, the lake went largely to waste until the Japanese occupation when it was rebuilt. 
Currently Lantan Lake along with Renyitan are main source of water for Chiayi City.
Renyitan Reservior 仁義潭水庫:
Renyitan Reserivour was completed along the Bazhang River in 1987 to add water reserves to Chiayi City, because Lantan Lake was not providing enough for water need. It is105 meters deep at its deepest point. It is connected with Lantan Lake and can be used to adjust the Lake's Water level. Renyitan and Lantan Lake are the main water source for Chiayi City. 

Hours:
24/7

Price:
Free

How to get there:
By Car/scooter: From Chiayi Station, go east on Chiuyang Road, then once you get near the resevior, take a right on Xiaoya Road. The Road will take you to the Lantan Lake scenic area, then it is a short ride east to Renyitan.
By Bus: From Chiayi Station, go east on Chiayi County Bus No. 1 until you reach Lantan Scenic Area (Yueyingtanxin Stop). 

Map:
​Please see below:

Our Journey:

We have been to Renyitan and Lantan Lake once. They are nice scenic areas and I wish I had more time to spend there. 

Lantan Lake 蘭潭水庫

Lantan Lake has a sizable park near the dam, with parking. However most of the area needs to be explored on foot or bicycle. There were quite a few people at the park when we went. 

There is also a cool nest themed sky-walk in the park, good for Instagram pictures but not the best views of the lake. 

Renyitan Reserviour 仁義潭水庫

See the video above for some drone footage of the lake and a 360 view.

Near the entrance is the Renyitan Reservoir Monument, which is also fun for taking pictures. 

View from the Dam looking out into Chiayi County. 

There were lots of old people and children here exercising even though it was super hot. 

The water was pretty much perfectly clear and smooth that day.

Because I flew a drone here before March 31st, 2020, the area was still not closed off for droning. However now the area directly above the reservoir is off limits. 

Panaorama of Renyitan Reservoir in Chiayi #仁義潭水庫 #嘉義

Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在臺灣 on Sunday, September 1, 2019

Check out our 360 panorama of the area above. 

The more I look at this aerial view of Renyitan reservoir in Chiayi, the more I think it's the perfect angle; I want to retake this shot in better light another day... pic.twitter.com/Omm2zitYz5

— Mike Fagan (@MikeFaganTaiwan) March 16, 2020

If you want to learn more and keep updated on reservoirs in Taiwan in English, you should give Mike Fagan a follow on Twitter. 

​Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more of our blogs on Chiayi!

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