A “Geological Match” – Yehliu and Japan’s Akiyoshidai National Park Become Sister Parks

▲ Yehliu Scenic Area, famous for the unique rock formation “The Queen’s Head,” will also become sister parks with Japan’s Akiyoshidai Park on the 15th, becoming Taiwan’s first scenic area to establish such a partnership. (Photo / Courtesy of the Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Yehliu Geopark, a popular northern Taiwan tourist destination famed for its unique rock formation “The Queen’s Head,” will become sister parks with Japan’s Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park, known for its distinctive limestone terrain and limestone caves, this Saturday (the 15th). A special 3D topography exhibition of Akiyoshidai will also be displayed on the second floor of the Yehliu Visitor Center, allowing visitors to explore the park’s rare limestone landscapes and the hidden world inside its limestone caves.

Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park boasts the largest limestone terrain in eastern Japan. Its surface features countless limestone pillars, while underground it houses over 400 limestone caves. Among them, Akiyoshido Cave is celebrated for its stunning natural formations such as the renowned “Golden Pillar” and “Hundred Plates,” which have been designated as a Special Natural Monument of Japan and are also ranked among the “Three Great Limestone Caves of Japan.” These geological features have long been important sites for research by geologists and are also highly acclaimed scenic destinations.

% Japan's Akiyoshidai boasts the country’s largest limestone terrain and is also home to one of its most famous limestone caves, Akiyoshido. Many tourists are eager to visit. We hope that after becoming sister parks, more tourists will come to visit. (Photo / Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

In 2013, Yehliu Geopark, renowned for its extraordinary landscape, was ranked first among Taiwan’s Top Ten Geological Landscapes. In addition to The Queen’s Head, the park features a variety of uniquely shaped rock formations, such as “Ice Cream Rock” that resembles a scoop of ice cream, “Candlestick Rock,” and “Slipper Rock” that looks like a flip-flop. This diverse array of geological wonders has earned Yehliu high international acclaim both academically and in terms of tourism.

Yehliu Geopark stated that both parks are scenic areas blessed with unique landforms. With the growing popularity of Yehliu among mainland Chinese tourists, Akiyoshidai Park also hopes that the sister park agreement will attract more mainland visitors to Akiyoshidai. Meanwhile, out of approximately 1.2 million Japanese tourists who visited Taiwan last year, only around 30,000 came to Yehliu. Therefore, it is hoped that this friendly partnership will help raise Yehliu’s profile among Japanese travelers.

A press conference for the “Geological Match” between Yehliu and Akiyoshidai will be held on the 15th outside the Yehliu Visitor Center. The mascot representing Yehliu Geopark — “Queen” — will also make its first appearance. A drum performance troupe has been invited to add a festive atmosphere to the event. Additionally, the second floor of the Yehliu Visitor Center will host a 3D topography exhibition of Akiyoshidai, giving visitors a chance to explore the park’s rare limestone caves and unique limestone landscapes.