Yehliu Geopark is one among Taiwan’s most iconic pure sights, famend for its surreal panorama of mushroom-shaped rock formations, honeycomb weathering, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
On this weblog, we’ll stroll you thru every little thing you might want to learn about visiting Yehliu Geopark—from what to anticipate and get there, to what you shouldn’t miss inside.
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| Our crew at Yehliu |
Plus, we’ll share our private expertise of exploring Yehliu as a part of a full-day tour that additionally included Shifen and Jiufen.
Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) is a geological park located alongside a slim cape stretching about 1.7 kilometers into the ocean.
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| Yehliu Geopark aerial view |
The realm is known for its weird rock formations, which have been formed by hundreds of years of weathering and sea erosion.
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| Yehliu Geopark on a Friday morning |
These formations have taken on imaginative names like “Queen’s Head,” “The Dragon’s Head,” “The Bee Hive,” and “Sea Candles.”
The park is a part of Taiwan’s Yehliu Promontory, which is an extension of the Datun Mountain Vary.
It falls below the administration of the North Coast & Guanyinshan Nationwide Scenic Space and attracts geologists, photographers, nature lovers, and curious vacationers from everywhere in the world.
The pick-up level was conveniently positioned at Ximen Station in Taipei, and we boarded our tour van simply earlier than 8:00 AM.
We had our fast breakfast from 7-Eleven on the nook of Emei St. and Lane 120 in Ximending.
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| This freeway in Keelung Metropolis provides a scenic view |
The journey to Yehliu took about an hour and supplied scenic views of the shoreline as we left the town behind.
Upon arrival, our tour information gave us a quick orientation and a few recommendations on benefit from the park whereas avoiding the crowds.
We have been then free to discover the park at our personal tempo for about 90 minutes.
Yehliu Geopark is split into three foremost sections, every providing distinctive rock formations and geological options:
1. Space I – The Entrance and Coastal Platform
That is the primary space guests encounter after coming into the park. It includes a flat rocky platform extending into the ocean, showcasing quite a lot of attention-grabbing formations.
Highlights:
- Mushroom rocks
- Candle rock
- Marine potholes
- Ice Cream Rock
- Cute Princes Rock
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| Mushroom rocks |
This space is nice for informal exploration and scenic coastal views. It’s additionally much less crowded than the central zone.
2. Space II – The Iconic Formations
That is probably the most well-known and photogenic part of the park, the place you will discover the long-lasting Queen’s Head—the image of Yehliu.
Highlights:
- Queen’s Head
- The Dragon’s Head
- Fairy’s Shoe
- The Bee Hive
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| The blockbuster Queen’s Head |
This space tends to get crowded, particularly round Queen’s Head, as guests line as much as take pictures. It’s probably the most photographed and visited part of the park.
3. Space III – The Rugged Shoreline and Quiet Trails
The third part is farther out alongside the cape and is much less visited, making it excellent for many who get pleasure from peace and nature.
Highlights:
- Tofu rocks
- Maling Hen Rock
- Sea-eroded troughs
- Marine fossils
- Views of the crashing waves and dramatic cliffs
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| View from Yehliu Lighthouse |
This space additionally options some academic signboards, and the surroundings turns into wilder and extra untouched. It’s splendid for a quiet stroll and geological statement.
These three zones collectively create a complete expertise—starting from accessible rock formations to surreal landscapes and quiet pure magnificence—making Yehliu Geopark a really one-of-a-kind vacation spot in Taiwan.
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to five:00 PM each day.
Entrance Charge: NT$120 for adults, NT$60 for youngsters and seniors.
Greatest Time to Go to: Weekday mornings, particularly earlier than 10 AM to keep away from giant tour teams.
What to Put on: Comfy strolling footwear, a hat, and sunscreen. The realm is usually uncovered and may get fairly scorching.
Accessibility: The paths are principally paved, however there are some uneven areas. There are ramps for wheelchairs in the principle viewing zones.
Yehliu Geopark is roughly 40 kilometers (25 miles) from Ximending in Taipei. Journey time is determined by the mode of transportation:
Possibility 1: Be part of a Tour (Beneficial)
As we did, becoming a member of a guided tour from Taipei is probably the most handy manner. Many excursions, just like the one we booked by way of Klook, embody lodge pickup or centralized places like Ximen Station, and in addition cease at Shifen and Jiufen for a full day of exploration.
Length: 1 to 1.5 hours (relying on site visitors)
Possibility 2: Public Transportation
You can too attain Yehliu by yourself:
- Take a bus from Taipei West Bus Station – Terminal A (subsequent to Taipei Principal Station).
- Hop on the Kuo-Kuang Bus No. 1815 certain for Jinshan and get off at Yehliu Cease.
- Stroll about 10 minutes to the park entrance.
Length: Round 1.5 to 2 hours whole.
Price: Roughly NT$100–125 a method.
Convey Snacks and Water: There’s a customer middle and small distributors close to the doorway, however choices contained in the park are restricted.
Watch Your Step: The rocks may be slippery when moist. Put on footwear with good grip and watch out, particularly close to the coast.
Respect Nature: Keep on designated paths and keep away from touching or climbing on the formations. A lot of them are fragile and irreplaceable.
Photograph Ops: To keep away from crowds in your pictures, head straight to Queen’s Head first and discover the remainder of the park later.
Yehliu Geopark was an unforgettable a part of our Taiwan itinerary. The alien-like panorama made us really feel like we have been strolling on one other planet, and the coastal breeze was refreshing as we strolled previous historic stone sculptures crafted fully by nature. It was the right solution to begin our day earlier than heading to the lantern-lit streets of Shifen and the nostalgic alleys of Jiufen.
Whether or not you’re a nature fanatic, a geology nerd, or just a curious traveler searching for distinctive sights, Yehliu Geopark deserves a spot in your Taiwan journey bucket record.