Is the "Queen's Head" in Yehliu at risk of "losing its head"? The North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration releases 40-year weathering comparison photos to clarify

▲ The Queen's Head in Yehliu is a famous natural landmark in Taiwan. (Photo / Reporter Xu Wenbin)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The Queen's Head in Yehliu Geopark on Taiwan’s northern coast is an internationally renowned tourist attraction, and its rare and unique natural phenomenon has amazed many. However, recently some visitors noticed unusual cracks on the neck of the Queen's Head, sparking concerns that it might "lose its head." In response, the North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration issued a statement clarifying that the cracks are part of the natural jointing of the rock formation and not abnormal.

In the statement, the administration noted that news reports mentioned "cracks appearing on the Queen's Head's neck," which are actually a natural jointing phenomenon of the rock itself. After commissioning a research team from National Taiwan University to conduct two years of continuous observation, it was found that the natural weathering rate of the Queen's Head remains consistent with previous trends, with no particularly abnormal data. Additionally, based on historical diagrams of the Queen's Head's weathering process, it is evident that the cracks at the base of the Queen's Head have actually existed for years and were not caused recently.

▲ The weathering process of the Queen's Head over 40 years. (Photo / Provided by North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area)

The administration stated that over the past decade, the managing authorities have taken active measures. In addition to increasing patrol personnel to prevent human damage to the Queen's Head, efforts have also been made to try to save it and conduct related experiments. Furthermore, since 2008, the administration has commissioned Shin Space to perform 3D scans of the Queen's Head's neck annually and successfully created a full-scale replica of the Queen's Head. Moving forward, monitoring of the rock weathering of the Queen's Head will continue, and historical monitoring data will be provided for research and educational purposes.

Additionally, heavy rainfall previously caused damage to a small section of the trail at the end of the Cape Top Trail in Zone 3 of Yehliu Geopark. This area is part of an ecological protection zone and does not affect the current recreational environment of the park. Visitors can feel assured when visiting the park.