Yehliu Geopark is a moderate-size nature reserve encompassing the jutting cape peninsular that dominates Taiwan’s northern coastline. Representing the final undulations of the Datun Mountain Range, the cape is renowned for its spectacular rock formations and dazzling, alien-like landscapes dotted with rocky spires and lofty cliffs that provide breathtaking views of the sea. The cape has grown as a major tourist attraction and iconic Taiwanese landmark, drawing over 3 million visitors every year. The geopark is best known for its so-called ‘hoodoo’ stones that jut out from the ground in thin, delicate spires, often balancing larger heads on top.

The most famous of these is known as the Queen’s Head owing to its strong resemblance to the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. Unfortunately, the neck balancing the Queen’s Head has been gradually eroding over the past 4,000 years, and scientists estimate that it is likely to topple in the upcoming decades. There is at present a fierce debate over whether technology should come to the rescue and save the rock formation before it topples, or else leave it to nature’s course. Some other things to look out for in the park include countless mushroom rocks that contain various fossilized sea creatures, sea candles, ginger rocks and fossilized trilobite specimens. Another major attraction located here is Yehliu Ocean World, an expansive oceanarium featuring tanks filled with colorful fish and corals from across the globe. The oceanarium is a fun and exciting educational establishment in which you can learn about life beneath the world’s oceans.