It's now or never—Taiwan’s eight vanishing natural wonders

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team Compilation and Reporting

In June 2017, Chi Po-lin, the director of the documentary "Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above," tragically died in a helicopter crash while on an aerial photography mission. The film not only showcases Taiwan’s breathtaking landscapes but also starkly reveals its polluted areas, prompting viewers to appreciate the scenery while reflecting on themselves. Below is a list of Taiwanese scenic spots that are disappearing due to climate change and human destruction.

1. Kenting Coral Reefs
Excessive tourism and lack of public awareness have led to worsening pollution and litter in Kenting, tarnishing its reputation as a tropical paradise. Coupled with global warming and rising sea temperatures, large swaths of coral reefs in Kenting have suffered mass bleaching and death, robbing the area of its once-vibrant underwater beauty.
 
2. Yehliu’s Queen’s Head
The Queen’s Head is the iconic rock formation at Yehliu Geopark, named for its resemblance to the profile of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I. After decades of natural erosion, the “neck” of the Queen’s Head has grown thinner. A reinforcement project commissioned by academic institutions is underway to ensure the long-term preservation of this famed landmark.

3. Shimen Laomei Green Reef
Located in Shimen District along northern Taiwan’s coast, Laomei Green Reef is a one-of-a-kind natural phenomenon where a vast expanse of green algae appears every April to May, drawing many tourists and photographers. However, in recent years, extreme weather and visitor damage have caused rapid whitening and death of the moss.

4. Tainan’s Moon World
Located in Longqi, Tainan, Caoshan Moon World is one of the world’s rare badland formations made of mudstone, serving as a national-level geological site that has remained largely undisturbed for years. But in recent years, government approval of a final disposal site for special industrial waste next to Moon World has not only threatened the precious geology but also risks polluting the upper reaches of Tainan’s Erren River.

5. Nantou’s Forest of Forgetfulness
The Forest of Forgetfulness near Shanlinxi in Nantou emerged after the 921 Earthquake, creating a dreamlike landscape that became a popular Instagram spot. However, due to a surge in visitors and a lack of government management, this natural beauty has started to deteriorate and suffer from pollution.