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.
