After days of heavy rain, a stretch of woodland on Yuguang Island in Tainan’s Anping District has turned into a shallow, mirror-like “water forest,” drawing surfers, stand-up paddleboarders and photographers to the unlikely wetland. With more than half the island covered in trees, the temporary flooding has left greenery reflected in still water, creating what visitors describe as a dreamlike, otherworldly scene. 

Local enthusiasts said the water is about waist-deep in places, making it easy to glide through on boards rather than walk. “It’s quite fun sliding instead of walking, and it’s really beautiful, very much like the Shuiyang Forest in Chiayi,” one surfer told reporters. Photographers, meanwhile, came for the rare visuals and rich wildlife. “It’s normally very dry; only after about two weeks of rain do you get this,” a visitor said. “The photos look amazing; it’s a once-in-a-while opportunity."

Lin Ning-feng (林寧峰), head of Yuguang Village, said floodwaters reached nearly a meter deep earlier and have lingered for about three weeks after a drainage channel was dug to ease flow toward the sea. He cautioned that while the post-rain scenery is striking, water quality and environmental conditions remain a concern, urging visitors to stay alert when exploring the area.