The Enchanting and Bizarre Rocky Wonders of Little Yehliu on the Seaside

By Lai Peixuan | Photos by Chi Binghui, Lai Peixuan | Source: Taitung County Tourism Website

While Taiwan’s north is home to the famous Yehliu Geopark, the ever-changing East Coast National Scenic Area also boasts a “Little Yehliu,” situated north of Fugang Fishing Port. Formed through geological processes, it features unique rock formations such as monocline ridges, honeycomb rocks, turtle-back rocks, tofu rocks, and mushroom rocks. Its extraordinary scenery resembles that of Yehliu on the North Coast, thus earning the name Little Yehliu. However, the rich and spectacular natural masterpieces of Little Yehliu are no less impressive than those of Taipei’s Yehliu.

Located at the southernmost tip of the East Coast National Scenic Area, Little Yehliu is home to the Little Yehliu Visitor Center, which houses a Natural Geology Exhibition Hall. It introduces the area’s geological landscapes and the evolutionary process of the Coastal Mountain Range. After exploring this great outdoor classroom, visitors can discover how nature’s magic has crafted such grand and colorful geological wonders.

Formed by the interplay of thick sandstone layers and thin shale layers, Little Yehliu, under prolonged erosion by seawater, not only displays clear geometric lines on its rock surfaces but also features a variety of shapes due to the differing hardness of each rock. The seaside trail connecting the Visitor Center and Little Yehliu is lined with coastal plants such as beach hibiscus, screw pines, beach hibiscus, and date palms, inspiring awe at nature’s wonders.

Just about 6 kilometers from downtown Taitung, Little Yehliu is perfect for a half-day trip along the east coast. On clear days, you can even see Green Island, which lies 32 kilometers away. For camping enthusiasts, there is a seaside campsite where you can pitch a tent and enjoy the romance and tranquility of the coast.