Yehliu Geopark

I remembered reading about the famous Queen's Head Rock at Yehliu Geopark. It was formed from a mushroom rock due to differential erosion from seawater. Apparently, it is a famous landmark at the park. Nonetheless, I did not see a Queen's head at all. At every angle I stood, I still could not see the resemblance. I texted a photo to my daughter and immediately she said, "Looks like Nefertiti!" Yessssssssssssssssss!!!

It was raining! I hate rain when I am visiting the outdoors. This was not a drizzle, mind you. It was freaking raining cats and dogs. We had to be in our raincoats the whole time. Since the tour could not be cancelled, life went on. Grumpily!

The different types of rock formations to look out for....easier if it was not raining! However Yehliu is made up of soft sedimentary rocks and with erosion by sun, rain, wind and waves, these rock formations will change in time.

Entrance to the Geopark 

Yehliu is a cape of about 1700 meters long formed by Datun Mountain reaching into the sea, in Wanli district. This Geopark is famous for its unique rock formations. There are 24 hectares here for you to walkabout.

It is an amazing natural wonder to visit. The rock formations were indeed unique and some looked bizarre.

I thought these were mushrooms!!! Nope. These were body fossils preserved in bedrock. These are known as Sand Dollar sea urchins, only found in Taiwan.

The Queen's Head

A research team from the National Taiwan University has been observing this particular rock since 1969 and they had reported that if nothing is done to preserve this rock, it might get beheaded due to erosion in 5-10 year's time. 

 

Back of the Queen's head

 

Mushroom rocks

Honeycomb rock

Ocean erosion potholes

 

Honeycomb weathering where rock surface turns into honeycomb shape or window lattice.

 

  

  

Is this a Screwpine fruit? Sure looks like it.

Elephant rock 

Beancurd rocks