Illegal sand mining creates a unique landscape — a “Grand Canyon” by the roadside in Linkou

Reporter Li Zi-yi / Reporting

Can you imagine seeing a large herd of water buffaloes drinking and grazing in the Greater Taipei area? Located beside the West Coast Highway and the Linkou Power Plant, there is an eye-catching area with sparse, peculiar small hills and a group of water buffaloes leisurely grazing and drinking. Locals jokingly call it the “Linkou Grand Canyon” or the “Bali Water Buffalo Pit.” On weekends, it becomes a playground for off-road vehicles and jeeps, and its unique terrain has also made it a somewhat popular secret spot for wedding photos and dates.

▲ The unique terrain on the West Coast Highway is jokingly called the “Linkou Grand Canyon” by locals. The story behind this special scenery is rather sorrowful. (Photo / Reporter Li Zi-yi, same below)

The Linkou Grand Canyon consists of sand-mud rock layers about 200 meters wide and up to 40 meters high. Behind this spectacular view lies a heartbreaking story. Decades ago, this was originally a small hill, but due to severe illegal sand mining, it transformed into its bare and peculiar appearance within just a few years. Along the West Coast Highway, near the Linkou Power Plant, you can see the blue sky, the sea, and rotating wind turbines. Suddenly, the scene changes — herds of water buffaloes grazing and drinking, stark bare hills, vast expanses of yellow sand, and small hills dotted with greenery. This unique terrain is quite rare in northern Taiwan. At first glance, it bears some resemblance to the Grand Canyon in the U.S., hence the nickname “Linkou Grand Canyon.”

▲ Along the West Coast Highway (Provincial Highway 15), you can see herds of water buffaloes — it’s hard to imagine such a sight in the Greater Taipei area.

Every afternoon, around 200 to 300 water buffaloes emerge from the nearby water pit to graze, right next to the highway. Drivers passing by for the first time often can’t help but exclaim, slow down, or even stop their cars to take a walk and take photos.

Huang Jian-bang, the village chief of Jiabao Li, said that a farmer surnamed Li lives here. Due to the historical context, raising water buffaloes had higher economic value. Starting with just a few buffaloes, he later bred more and more, utilizing natural resources for animal husbandry here.

▲ The unique terrain has also become an “exclusive track” for off-road vehicle and jeep enthusiasts.

▲ Motorcyclists passing by will park their vehicles on the side, get out, and walk around to take photos, appreciating the grandeur of the Linkou Grand Canyon up close.

▲ With rotating wind turbines and a wide field of vision, it’s also a secret spot for enjoying sunset views.

This barren land has only a little greenery. Aside from the early illegal sand mining, it is also because it is close to the Taiwan Strait, where plant survival rates are low. Depending on tree species and adaptability, no one has developed or planted crops here. Chief Huang said that the Linkou Grand Canyon has maintained this unique appearance for nearly 20 years. It’s perfect for watching the sunset or taking wedding photos, and film production companies have also shot scenes here.

Linkou Grand Canyon (Bali Water Buffalo Pit)

Address: West Coast Highway, Jiabao Li, Linkou District, New Taipei City (located between the Linkou Power Plant and the Linkou Zhennan Temple)