Laomei stone troughs

Updates : 2023-10-31

730

Introduction

Laomei stone troughs, also known as the green stone troughs, is named after the vast green algae attached to stone troughs that create a lush green sight. This unique scenery, which is rarely seen in Taiwan, has attracted many photography enthusiasts and tourists to stop and relish its beauty. This captivating landscape typically appears from mid-March to early May, with April during the Qingming period being an especially beautiful time. During this season, the stone troughs along the entire coast become adorned with green algae, creating “green stone troughs” that paint the entire coast in the vibrant green colors of spring.

“Stone troughs” is a geological term. Generally, a coastline can be a sandy beach, a rocky shore, or a rocky shore covered in algae. However, the Laomei stone troughs feature both a sandy beach and an eroded rocky coastline, which has been intricately sculpted, resembling slim and rugged green dolphins lying on the beach. The stone troughs on this rocky shore are made of volcanic rocks, providing an ideal surface for algae to attach and grow. When the algae dies, its remains harden and transform into a thin layer of limestone. New algae continue to grow on top of this limestone layer, creating a continuous cycle of life and death, eventually forming this beautiful algal reef.

How to Get There

Choose a transportation method based on your departure location.

Taishan Up Temple

Taishan Top Temple enshrines the Xian Ying Zu Shi Deity. In 1985, it was declared a municipal historic monument. In 1853 (year 3 of Emperor Xianfeng’s reign), the Quanzhang Armed Conflict erupted and Fushan Temple was burned to the ground by people from Zhangzhou; subsequently Fu-chi Li (grandson of Hsu-yuan Li) donated a plot of land to rebuild the temple and renamed it “Taishan Temple”, also known as “Top Temple” or “Taishan Top Temple”. Since it is located on the mountainside of Mt. Qizaijiao, it is sometimes referred to as “Qizaijiao Temple”. Later, another Taishan Temple was constructed on Mingzhi Road at the foot of the mountain, hence there are now two Taishan Temples, and Taishan Top Temple is also called “Qizaijiao Old Temple”.

Xiao Cukeng Ecological Gallery

“Xiao Cukeng Ecological Gallery" trail is a flat ecological trail suitable for parenting or cycling, running alongside Xindian River. Because the entire road is paved, the road surface is relatively flat, and there are shades on both sides, so it is very suitable for children to tag along. The trail retains a large portion of primal ecology. Because of the large number of flowers and plants that are preferred by butterflies, such as Impatiens walleriana Hook. f, Bidens pilosa var. radiata etc., it always attracts butterflies and became a famous butterfly viewing spot in the suburbs of Taipei. It is also a well-known bird watching attraction. Not only can you hear birds singing or see birds in the sky, you can also see waterfowls gliding along the water surface on the Xindian River. It is an excellent spot for doing eco-tourism while hiking and working out at the same time.