Due to erosion, the rocks in the park can break at any stage. This mushroom rock has fault lines both horizontally and vertically and is in danger of breaking from either of these cracks.
Surrounded by sea and located on the eastern edge of the Asian continent and the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, Taiwan boasts eight national parks and nature reserves and 17 wildlife refuges and habitats.
These account for 20% of the country’s area.
One of these nature reserves is the Yehliu Geopark, located at Wanli of New Taipaei City, which I got to see as part of a group of journalists invited to Taiwan as guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The rock landscape of Yehliu Geopark has been described as one of most famous wonders in the world, stretching approximately 1.7km.
Due to the presence of limestone in the shoreline, wind and sea erosion over time and earth movements have led to the rocks being carved by the elements in a variety of formations.
These include mushroom rocks and candles.
Here is a taste of some of the rocks to be seen.
Legend has it that a mermaid left her slipper behind after she was asked not to sun herself on the rocks.
The inside of a mushroom rock which has already cracked and broken. The softer inside can be seen in the middle of what was the outer edge.
The landmark Queen’s Head is arguably the most famous of the rock formations and is said to look like Nefertiti (Great Royal Wife of Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten) from one side, and Great Britian’s Queen Victoria from the other. It is envisaged that the neck will snap within a few years and this drawcard will be replaced in popularity by the Princess rock to be found in another part of the park.An aerial view of the rock formations.A cave carved out of the shore by the waves.A rock described by some as looking like a hammerhead shark.Due to erosion, the rocks in the park can break at any stage. This mushroom rock has fault lines both horizontally and vertically and is in danger of breaking from either of these cracks.An aerial view of one part of the Yehlie Geopark. This section is predominantly made up of mushroom rock formations. There are approximately 180 mushroom rocks in the park.The candle rocks were carved by marine-erosion. After the softer surface of the top rock has been scoured off, the balls form the candlewicks. The erosion has also created bowl-like surfaces in the rocks under the wicks and has tapered the rocks to give them a candle-like appearance. Our guide commented that this is a rather uncommon phenomenon and he believes that it is unique to this park.Panoramic view of the Yehlie Geopark.There are plenty of fossils to be found dotted around the rock beds, including this sea urchin fossil with its petal pattern.The Romeo (left) and Juliet rocks divided by a fault line. According to our guide, Stephen it is considered bad luck for couples to find themselves on different sides of the line.
