15 Rock Formations in Yehliu Geopark + Visitor’s Guide

Yehliu Geopark is a bizarre destination in the northernmost part of Taiwan. It is where you can see fascinating rock formations that seem to look like waves of mud frozen in time.

The park is a gallery of fantastic out-of-this-world rock formations, which rock lovers will surely love.

Some of the rock formations in Yehliu Geopark have distinctive shapes. They will keep you amused as you explore the area. Also, the cape where Yehliu Geopark sits is truly breathtaking! It will be a visit-worthy destination even if you like rocks a little less.

It’s hard to imagine how these rocks became how they are now, but there’s one thing for sure, mother earth took thousands or even millions of years to create this masterpiece. Yehliu Geopark is something that you really must see in your life!

Brief Explanation of Yehliu Geopark

Before you visit Yehliu Geopark, I think you must first learn something about the rocks here. That is for you to get additional bits of excitement. Going to the park is like seeing the result of an experiment based on the scientific theories and laws you studied.

Sea erosion is the most basic explanation for the unusual rocks in Yehliu Geopark.

For thousands of years, the changing tides and the crashing waves disintegrated parts of the cape, washing out the softer parts of the rocks while the harder and solid ones remained intact.

But how about the patterns and the weird holes on top of the rocks?

Well, they are a result of weathering. It is similar to erosion, but the factors that create the changes in the rock are mainly temperature, rainwater, and biological activity. The subtropic location of Taiwan made weathering more possible.

Tip of Cuesta  and Weathered Rocks (left), Weathering (right)

One kind of weathering you will find in Yehlui is Honeycomb weathering.

Rocks that have experienced this would have surfaces that look like a honeycomb or window lattice. I’m sure people with Trypophobia will probably shiver when they see rocks that have undergone honeycomb weathering!

What’s even more impressive?

Honeycomb rocks aren’t just a work of weather but organisms as well. With the organism detritus, the whole process of making honeycomb rocks begin. You can find more facts and more detailed scientific explanations on the website of Yehliu Geopark.

Yehliu Geopark 15 Best Rock Formations

There are more than 40+ rocks, scenery, and spots that you could check in Yehliu Geopark. Among those, here are the 15 worth checking parts of the park. Some may puzzle how people named them, and some will make you wonder how they acquired their shapes.

Prepare your imagination, ready??

Rock #1: Queen’s Head

Location: Area 2

Queen’s head is the most famous rock in the whole Yehliu Geopark. It is also the most photographed! People are making a long queue to get a photo of themselves with the “queen.” We waited for about 20 minutes to get our photo souvenir with it.

Lucky for us, there was no photobomber in our background during the shot. LOL. Yet, it is impressive. At the right spot, you could really see the resemblance of the nose and hair of a woman.

Rock #2: Ice Cream Rock

Location: Area 1

Ice Cream Rock is just one of the most fantastic rock formations in the park. Just look at the twirl!

How could it happen? I think it is the rock easiest to distinguish resemblance. I am also amazed by how the slim foot of the rock handles the heavy upper portion of itself.

I hope nobody comes to it and topples it like the sandstone pedestal on the Oregon coast. Many generations must still see this wonder.

Rock #3: Fairy’s shoes

Location: Area 2

At first sight, I thought it was an ice cream paddle spoon!

Can you imagine it? It even has a small portion of ice cream on top of it. LOL. I guess my imagination failed me. But yeah, they say it is a fairy’s shoes. Perhaps Yehliu Geopark shall really sharpen our imagination skills here.

Rock #4: Drumstick

Location: Area 2

This one is easy!

Everyone who loves chicken legs would probably see the resemblance right away. Even the texture of the rock, right? It matches the breading of a fried chicken.

What’s more impressive? The drumstick seems to be served on a plate. Fantastic. I’m never returning here hungry; just kidding! LOL.

Rock #5: Candle-Shaped Rock

Location: Area 1

For me, Candle Shaped Rocks are the most baffling rock formation in Yehliu Geopark.

Like, how did these get a perfect likeness to the candles!?

There is that part of the rock that resembles wax. Then, there is another that represents the fire. The water around the small rock on top of the body made it look epic! It matches the molten wax when the wick is burning. Just amazing.

Rock #6: Dragon’s Head Rock

Location: Area 2

I’m not sure why I cannot figure this out. But most people say this rock resembles the head of a dragon.

However, some also say that it matches the head of a dog.

For me, it only looks like an ordinary mushroom rock. My creative mind did not work out for me this time. I’m not sure why. Maybe I’m confused about what kind of dragon they used for imagination? Is it a western dragon or an eastern dragon?

Rock #7: Marine Bird Rock

Location: Area 3

Unlike Dragon’s Head Rock, I recognized the rock’s resemblance to a bird, but not immediately.

Sometimes, Yehliu Geopark really tests our imagination. LOL. If my sister did not tell me, I would not recognize what this rock resembles. If you can’t find it, I’ll give you a clue: The beak of the bird points upwards.

Rock #8: Mushroom Rocks

Location: Everywhere

I must say that there are a lot of mushroom rocks in Yehliu Geopark, and they look like a crashing mud wave frozen in time.

Go to Area 2’s western coast of the cape. You’ll find two mushroom rocks looking like a couple with relationship problems. Haha!

They don’t have a specific name, so it will be hard to find, but I am sure you will find them as well. Yehliu Geopark is not that vast, so a round of exploration back and forth to the cape would give you a high chance of meeting the “couple” rock.

Rock #9: Honeycomb Weathering

Location: Area 3

Don’t let a Trypophobic mate see the honeycomb weathering!

They will surely disgust them. Just kidding! I’m unsure how I will describe what I felt when I first saw it. A little cautious, maybe? I felt like something was going to come out of the wholes any moment in time.

Rock #10: Honeycomb Rock

Location: Area 3

If you have a crazy curious mind, honeycomb rock will trigger that curiosity wildly when you see the honeycomb rock. Why? Because it is an absolute out-of-this-world rock!

I asked myself many times, looking at it, how was it possible? A colony of kind of small creatures was the first thing that came to my mind the first time I saw the rock. Yet, it is not.

Rock #11: Fossils

Location: Area 1

Aside from thousands of years of eroded rocks, the fossils found in the cape are also evidence that Yehliu Geopark is ancient. Do not forget to check them out before proceeding to Area 2 after exploring Area 1!

Rock #12: Pineapple Bun

Location: Area 2

Whoever named it Pineapple Bun, I totally disagree with them! It matches a shell of a turtle, right? Do you agree? If it was pineapple, then it should have dots in the middle of each division.

Rock #13: The Peanut

Location: Area 2

You will find the peanut rock just near Fairy’s Shoes.

It is a tiny amusing rock at the very edge of the coast. Unlike the Pineapple Bun, this rock matches its name. Agree with me! Hahaha! The Peanut looks really like a peanut, right? Don’t tell me it is a bowling pin. LOL.

Rock #14: Ginger Rocks

Location: Everywhere

The discoverer of these rocks called them “Ginger Rocks” because of their color and rough surface. I will not disagree. While looking at the Ginger Rocks, what caught my attention was the color spill that the dark rocks create with the lighter part of the land.

Rock #15: Potholes

Location: Area 2

Among these 15 attractions in Yehliu Geopark, potholes were my least favorite.

However, I think if the sun peaked out of the clouds, they would look much better. They would be a good photo opportunity for the enthusiasts, especially at correct viewing angles, because they will give an excellent mirror effect to a shot.

Map of Yehlui Geopark

Here is the map of Yehlui Geopark. Here you can find the exact location of each attraction in the park. If you forget to get a brochure or map from the Visitor Center, You may save and download the image below.

Source: Yehlui Geopark Website

How to go to Yehliu Geopark?

There are four ways to go to Yehlui Geopark. I suggest that you make Yehlui Geopark your first destination for your trip to Taiwan so you can enjoy the park with less crowd.

• At Kuo-Kuang Bus Taipei Terminal near Taipei Main Station, hop on bus Bus #1815 bound for Junshan Youth Activity Center. Then alight at Yehliu bus stop.

Bus Interval: 20 minutes
Weekdays
First bus: 5:40 am
Last bus: 11:00 pm
Weekends
First bus: 6:30 am
Last bus: 11:00 pm

• At Keelung station near Keelung Railway Station, take the express bus bound for Jinshan and Tamsui. Alight at Yehliu bus stop.

Bus Interval: 10 minutes
First bus: 5:40 am
Last bus: 10:40 pm

• At Tamshui station near Tamshui MRT station, hop on an express bus bound to Jinshan. Alight at Yehliu bus stop.

Bus Interval: 30 minutes
First bus: 5:50 am
Last bus: 10:20 pm

• At National Taiwan University, take the express bus going to Jinshan. Alight at Yehliu bus stop.

Bus Interval: 15 minutes
First bus: 7:30 am
Last bus: 10:10 pm

If you are traveling as a group or you have your family with you, I recommend getting a private car for your trips for your convenience.

How much time do I need in Yehliu Geopark?

Unless you plan to hike the Big Cuesta (the hill near the park’s entrance) and Gueitou Mountain (the mountain engulfed in the sea), you can explore all corners of the park in half a day.

In our case, we finished exploring the park in more or less three hours. That includes all the time figuring out the shape of each rock, selfies, and photo ops.

Where to go after Yehliu Geopark?

Since you can explore Yehliu Geopark in less than a day, you can check the following places near the park to maximize your trip in northern Taiwan.

• Yehliu Ocean World – great for kids! They will surely love the intelligent dolphins & sea lions show. It is e excellent for adults too. Here you can watch fantastic high diving stunts this place is famous for.
• Jiufen and Shifen – Best for young adults and world trotters who want to experience soul-nourishing destinations.

When is the best time to go to Yehliu Geopark?

Visit Yehliu Geopark from April to May when the northeast monsoon is weak. Also, the climate is generally pleasant. It is during this time that northern Taiwan experiences clear skies. You get less rain and better photo opportunities because of the hard light from the sun making sharp shadows with the rocks.

You must always check the weather before you go to Yehliu Geopark. If it is raining, forget to visit the park. It’s totally not fun when it is raining in Yehliu Geopark.

Other activities in Yehliu Geopark

Aside from sightseeing and guessing what object matches a rock, Yehliu Geopark has other activities you can enjoy

If you are an adventurous type of person, you could hike the two peaks of the parks. The scenic views of the sea and the Yehliu cape await in those locations.

There is a leisure park here too. You can sit down, relax, eat, and do bird watching there. If you arrive very early, you will surely enjoy the peacefulness of the place with just birds chirping around you.

Since the park has impressive rock formations, you can use it as an advantage to create crazy Instagrammable photos you can share with your friends all over the world.

If you want more fun in Yehliu Geopark and experience Yehliu Geopark differently, you can try the Stand-up Paddle Boarding. It’s more fun, especially if you travel with your friends, as you could play around and do bonding while enjoying the scenic rock formations in Yehliu Cape.

Our experience in Yehliu Geopark

Overall, we quite enjoyed the park. I just wished that we had come earlier that day so we had more opportunities to photograph spots in the park with no photobombers.

Finding small rock formations could be hard, especially when you don’t have a map from the Visitor’s Center. However, you cannot trust the uploaded photos on Google Maps in Yehliu park. Many people uploaded pictures that did not match the location on the map.

Somewhere in Area 3, you can find the Cape Rest Station. They sell Taiwanese milk teas and Cuttlefish Sausages which might solve your hunger while in the park. There we rested for a bit after an hour or so of strolling. But beware, there are a lot of mosquitoes from that spot. I got two mosquito bites after resting there.

Talking about the good experiences, Yehliu Geopark has well-paved tracks. You won’t have to worry about tripping because of rocks and uneven paths. There are red lines all over the park to keep you safe from falling or slipping.

Yehliu Geopark gave us a spectacle that we would never find anywhere on earth. Aside from the famous Queen’s head, the spherical weathered rock became the highlight of our trip to the park. It was really an out-of-this-world experience to see such an object.

One reason why I enjoyed the park more is because of my sister. Traveling has always been our bonding time together, and Yehliu geopark gave us quality time with each other. We had fun arguing about what objects match a rock and capturing photos of ourselves.

Will I go back to see Yehliu Geopark? Yes, of course, and definitely if I will be given a chance. I want to see the park with clear skies as I can imagine it to be 3x more fantastic if the sun shines over the rocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I eat in the Yehliu Geopark?

You can find shops to buy snacks in the Visitor Center and Cape Rest Station in the middle of Yehliu cape.

What are the opening hours of the park?

Yehliu Geopark is open from 8 am to 5 pm. The last entry time is at 5 pm.

How much is the entrance fee to the park?

The entrance costs NTD80 for adults and NTD40 for students and children aged 6 to 12. You get a 20% discount if you visit the park in a group of 30 people or more. Disabled citizens, children under six years old, and under 115 cm have courtesy entry to the park.

Save it on Pinterest.