Gaomei Turbine Avenue (高美風車大道) @ Taichung in Taiwan

Back in 2023, I visited Gaomei Wetlands (高美濕地) under a tour package by Chan Brothers; back then, I noticed the line of wind turbines across and told myself I would be back to check out those gigantic fans! 

In slightly more than a year later, I was back. This time on a self exploration trip with Alex over a pretty lengthy 11 days that brought us to Chiayi, Alishan, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and finally, Taichung, where Gaomei Wetlands is located.

This long line of wind turbines is known as Gaomei Turbine Avenue and stretched about 1.5 kilometers long. Now, I am always fascinated with these wind generators, given the urgent need for clean energy and how energy-hungry a small nation like Singapore is.

Furthermore, I always wonder about the size of them since I saw them always from afar, and never close-up! The same goes for Alex; hence, it's more a virgin experience for both of us! 

Let's use Alex for ease of comparison! Maybe about 40-50 meters tall? While I was relatively impressed by the height, offshore wind turbines can go beyond 120 meters tall! 

Another startling fact; the wind turbines were making a hell of a racket! And given that wind turbines were built at locations with high wind velocity, it was surprisingly cold in the winter season when we dropped by.

From Google Maps, I counted about 16 wind turbines in the area. Now, a fundamental question for a Singaporean; why don't we see more wind turbines in Singapore to generate power since we are an island nation? Answer: the wind speed we have is quite low, and not to mention wind turbines require a lot of space, which we can't afford.

Sadness aside, let's take a look at the other side of Gaomei Turbine Avenue, where a unique bridge cut across the 100-meter wide Qingshui Channel. 

Completed in 2016 costing NT$200 millions, this is a cable-stayed curved bridge with two columns at each end to support the weight of the bridge, without the need for any support beams on the riverbed. 

Providing a more direct connection point between Gaomei Wetlands and Gaomei Turbine Avenue for cyclists and visitors on feet, the bridge was said to be wind resistant and a great spot to catch the sunset! 

We didn't stay till sunset as both of us agreed that driving at night would be much more dangerous for unseasoned drivers like us. So, we decided to leave and drive along the avenue! 

Turned out to be boring and it didn't take us long to make a u-turn back to the bridge, as our next destination would be Gaomei Wetlands. p.s. this time round, we managed to check out the boardwalk! 

A few more photographs taken along Gaomei Road, the other side of the channel, and across yet parallel to the road we drove along earlier to Gaomei Turbine Avenue.

Just a video! 

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Address

Huangang N Rd, Qingshui District, 

Taichung City, Taiwan 

Map

As above.

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)