Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園) at Yehliu, Taiwan
It's located at the cape on the north coast of Taiwan in the town of Wanli between Taipei and Keelung and the entrance fee is NT50.00, the operation hour is from 8am-5pm everyday.
Yehliu Geopark of Taiwan
"The stratum of Yehliu is mainly composed of sedimentary rocks; the formation of sea bays is due to the impact of sea erosion on softer rock layers, while those hard and solid ones may therefore turn into sea capes eventually."
"The prospect as presented from a long distance view of Yehliu Cape is like a turtle crouching down by the sea; therefore, the cape is also called “Yehliu Turtle”. In the olden days, Yehliu was a key channel of the trade route between mainland China and Keelung harbor. Yet, the waters around the area were torrential and dangerous, and often caused serious shipwrecks. A legend was told that once a turtle elf was making trouble in the sea. A fairly was dispatched by Jade Emperor to tame the turtle elf..." Source from here.
You can read the Wikipedia site here.
The ticket and detail rocks location behind the ticket.
There are 2 session of the time-eroded rocks in the Geopark, both are surrounded with many rocks in different type of shapes & sizes...
"Please don't cross the Red line!" I was curiously put one of my leg out of the line and the I heard the Security Whistle in less than 2 second! That's Fast!
Mushroom Rocks
The Ice Scream Rocks
This shape look like a whale? There are 2 candle rocks in front of it...
The Candle Rocks
The Honeycomb Rocks
The Pearl...does it look like one?
"Yehliu is unique because the different rock formations near the seashore. It contain substantial quantities of limestone, which are subject to sea erosion, weathering and earth movements, thus making the 1,700 meter-long peninsula almost lunar-like in many ways. The wild-looking landscape leaves little to the imagination. It's easy to imagine what life could be like on another planet.net.
The area is studded with seawater-eroded holes teeming with sea-life, as well as unusual rock formations, which make the surrounding environment rich in ecological resources. Sun, wind, rain, waves and strong northeastern typhoons all make a major impact on this narrow strip of land." Source from here.
The nice and beautiful pathway of Yehliu Geopark
After hanging around at the 1st session of the Geopark, we proceeded to the 2nd session where the Famous 'Queen's Head' located. But the queue was terrible!
Scenic view of the Cape
Tourists were queuing to take photo with the Queen's Head
Because the rock is only look like a Queen Head from One direction...so we searching here and there trying to find a nice spot to take the photo of the Queen's Head.
From the opposite direction. Where you can see the tourists queuing behind...
The Queen's Head at Yehliu Geopark (the correct direction)
We also found some fossil and interesting rocks around the second session...
The Fossil spotted at the second session.
The Fairy's shoe, it's look like a sandal to me...
The formation rocks at Yehliu :-
* Honeycomb Rock, Honeycomb weathering
* Mushroom Rock
* Ginger Rock
* Candle shaped Rock
* Bean Curd Rock
* Mini Taiwan Rock
* Queen's Head
* Fairy's shoe (sandal)
* Marine Bird Rock
* Ice Cream Rock
* Elephant Rock
* Peanut Rock
* Pearl Rock
* Little Turtle Rock
* Japanese Geisha Rock
* Fried Drumstick
* 24-filial piety hill
* Lover Cave
* Dragon Head Rock
and many many more.....
We left the Geopark after more than an hour walked, and we spotted this actual size Replica Queen's Head and the garden area. I believe the purpose is to let the tourist see the Queen's Head without walked on the 1.7KM long pathway., and also in case raining during visiting the Geopark.
The actual size Replica Queen's Head
I took many photos at the Yehliu Geopark, too bad I can't post all into this blog post. I will definitely visit the Yehliu Geopark again in my next visit to Taiwan, hopefully it will be a sunshine day!
After this Beautiful Geopark, we continue our journey to Jiufen...
Related post :-
* My Taiwan Trip on May, 2011
Location map of Yehliu Geopark at Yehliu, Taiwan
