Yehliu Geopark
野柳地質公園
A narrow headland jutting 1.7 km into the sea, covered with mushroom rocks, candlestick rocks and the 'Queen's Head', making it the most extraordinary sea-carved landscape on Taiwan's northern coast.
Yehliu Geopark is located in Wanli District, New Taipei City. It is a narrow headland stretching about 1.7 km northeast into the sea, formed from sandstone some 20 million years old through wave erosion, weathering and crustal uplift. It is dotted with unusual formations including mushroom rocks, ginger stones, candlestick rocks, tofu rocks and sea-eroded potholes. The 'Queen's Head', whose neck is gradually narrowing, is Taiwan's most famous natural landmark, and it is estimated that its neck can only support it for a few more decades. The park is divided into three zones: Zone 1 has the mushroom rocks and ginger stone clusters, which can be observed up close; Zone 2 is home to the Queen's Head, Fairy Shoes, Candlestick Rocks, Earth Rock and Elephant Rock, and is the core photography area; Zone 3 is the sea-eroded platform and lighthouse at the tip of the headland, where it's less crowded and the sea views are best. Admission is NT$120, and there are information signs and an audio guide app within the park. Suggested route: walking from the entrance through Zones 1, 2 and 3 in order to the tip of the headland and back takes about 2 hours; if you only want to photograph the Queen's Head in Zone 2, one hour is enough. Yehliu is often combined with Jinshan Old Street, the Zhu Ming Art Museum or Jiufen into a one-day North Coast trip; the drive from Jiufen to Yehliu takes about 40 minutes. Getting there: From Taipei Main Station or Taipei Bridge MRT Station, take the Kuo-Kuang Bus 1815 for about 1.5 hours to Yehliu Station, then walk 10 minutes; or take the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle Crown North Coast Line from Tamsui Station; hiring a car is the most convenient. Notes: do not cross the red line or approach the cliff edge; Zone 3 is closed when the waves are high; queue for photos at the Queen's Head in a single direction; the headland is windy and has no shade, so bring a hat and sunscreen; tour groups are concentrated between 10 a.m. and noon, so try to avoid those hours.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00 (weekends until 18:00 in May–September)
Nearby sights
- Yangmingshan Park
- Taipei Palace Museum
- Beitou Hot Springs
- Raohe Street Night Market
- National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine
- Shilin Night Market
- Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall