Glass Beach – A Summer Must-Visit Hidden Gem Scattered with Colorful Gems

By MOOK Scenic Spots’ Christopher, compiled and reported

Taiwan’s east coast is captivating and beautiful, with steep cliffs adjacent to the vast Pacific Ocean, making it one of the world’s rarest and most unique landscapes. The coastline of Yilan is home to many stunning hidden beach gems. In addition to well-known beaches like Pink Bird Forest, this time we’re introducing a “Glass Beach” located in Nanfangao. Also known as Zei'ao, Glass Beach not only boasts dreamy azure waters and a picturesque bay, but also features scattered pebble-like sea glass that glistens in the sunlight. Paired with the gradient hues of the sea, the scene is absolutely magical.

Glass Beach was once a Zei'ao landfill, a place people used to avoid at all costs. However, after the government closed the landfill, the leftover glass materials were smoothed by seawater and blended with sand and gravel to form pebble-like sea glass—hence the name “Glass Beach.”