Abstract Chingmei stream basin not only locates at the south-east edge of the Taipei metropolitan area but also closes to the new subcenter district of Taipei city. With its excellent geographical location, the basin is expected to be. intensely exploited in the near future. Accordingly, how does the basin should be utilized has been a great challenge to the government concerned. This paper intends to analyse the chracterestics of its physical environment and evaluate the optimum land use pattern. From the geographical viewpoint, the optimum measure for the land resources management of the basin would be providing a variety of recreation opportunity to meet the wide demand for recreation activities of the steadily increasing population of the Taipei metropolitan area.