As the area outside Taichung became more rural, windmills appeared on the landscape. The towering white structures glistened against the clear blue sky. I hastily pulled out my camera and attempted to capture the scene as the car whizzed by. Too soon, trees blocked the windmills as we turned onto a narrow road leading to a small village. An elderly resident informed us that there was no parking there and directed us to where we could park.

We pulled into a parking lot next to a coral pink building that looked like a castle. This “castle” with its gaudy, slightly chipping paint, was not our destination. It is a kindergarten, but it has plenty of free parking spaces.

A little beyond the parking lot, the windmills became visible again, along with a still more impressive sight, a seemingly endless expanse of water gleaming in the sunlight. This was the Kaomei Wetlands, an unspoiled area of marshlands and shallow seawater notable for staying the same depth for miles.

We crossed a wooden bridge, at the foot of which were hundreds of shoes by the edge of the water. Children splashed through the shallow water, couples holding hands and carrying sun umbrellas strolled through it, and dogs of all sizes gamboled joyously in it. My companions and I quickly removed our shoes and waded in to join the fun.

Clumps of tall emerald green grasses grew along the edges of the water. The soft sand becomes squishier in these areas, deterring people from coming too close and disturbing the grasses' growth. Most of the sand stays smooth, sinking just a little under bare feet. It is so fine that it is more like mud than sand, and some people scooped it up and covered themselves with it.

We had intended to see how far we could walk, but after going some distance, we saw that others were twice as far ahead of us. The water still appeared to be the same depth where they were. At the very edge of the horizon were some boats, but it was impossible to judge how far away they were.

As the sun was beginning to set and the tide was going down, we decided to return. In the receding water, we began to notice some tiny crabs. I managed to catch one in my hands before it scurried away. It soon jumped back into the water, but there were many more where it came from. The more the tide ebbed, the more crabs dashed out of hiding. In the sand were thousands of tiny indentations, and each of these indicated a crab's home.

All the crabs ran when they felt the approaching human feet. Their eyes glowed a strange neon blue under the water. We made it back to shore and took a last glance at the windmills against the horizon before heading back to the pink castle.

Though little information can be found in English about the wetlands, it's a unique destination that deserves a visit. For those interested in environmental conservation, the area boasts a wide array of wildlife, including rare birds not found elsewhere. The windmills and the scenery make for a photographer's paradise. And for those with children or pets, the area is an excellent place to relax in the shallow water.

To get to the Kaomei Wetlands, take Highway 61 (West Coast Highway) going north from Taichung for about forty minutes, and then take the exit for Kaomei. There's no admission fee, and parking is also free. In addition, there is a bus from Taichung that goes to Ching Shui (清水) Station. From there, you can transfer to another bus going to Kaomei. However, buses are not frequent and this way takes much longer. Driving is recommended if possible.