The 'Ponlai' rice variety was specifically engineered in Zhuzihu because the area's high altitude and cool climate mirrored the conditions required for Japanese-style short-grain rice.
Eikichi Iso, known as the 'Father of Ponlai Rice,' utilized the unique water temperatures of the Yangming Creek for his experimental crops.
The site remains one of the few intact remnants of the Japanese-era agricultural research stations in the Taipei basin.
The transition from rice to flower farming in the 1970s was a direct response to the difficulty of transporting rice out of the mountainous Zhuzihu basin compared to lightweight, high-value ornamental flowers.
The Zhuzihu Ponlai Rice Foundation Seed Field Story House occupies the former site of the 1920s experimental farm where Japanese agronomist Eikichi Iso successfully cultivated Ponlai rice. This museum commemorates the historical significance of Zhuzihu as the birthplace of Taiwan’s rice cultivation revolution. Exhibits detail the evolution of irrigation systems and agricultural techniques developed during the colonial era to adapt temperate crops to Taiwan's climate. The facility preserves original agricultural infrastructure, including stone irrigation channels and restored field enclosures. It highlights the transition of the local Zhuzihu economy from rice production to its modern status as a center for calla lily and hydrangea farming. Visitors can explore the preserved field environment that serves as a living laboratory of early 20th-century Taiwanese agrarian history.
The elevated viewing platform behind the main building provides a panoramic view of the preserved terrace fields against the mountain backdrop.
Combine your visit with a walk along the adjacent Yangming Creek trails to see the historic irrigation stone structures still in use.
Wear sturdy, waterproof footwear as the pathways around the fields can be muddy, especially during the humid spring season.
Bring a light jacket as the elevation causes significantly lower temperatures compared to Taipei city center.
Do not attempt to drive private vehicles into the narrow valley lanes on weekends, as parking is extremely limited and heavily congested.
Typically closed on Mondays.
Respect the surrounding working farms by staying on designated paths and avoiding the active rice or flower beds.
