The Must-see Attraction for Foreign Visitors- the Yehliu Geopark

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The Must-see Attraction for Foreign Visitors- the Yehliu Geopark
You only have a week in Taiwan and do not want to spend too much transportation time? Then you definitely cannot miss the "world-famous" tourist attraction- the Yehliu Geopark. I assume you have done your research on the must-see attraction that people are talking about before coming to Taiwan. Have you heard of the "alien planet" in the northern Taiwan? If no, please add it to your travel to-do-list. The Yehliu Geopark is located in the suburban area of Taipei City. It is 40 minutes away from downtown by public transportation. The long and narrow capes sticking out from the island are eroded by the strong northeast monsoon, and with the weathering and coastal erosion, the "Mars landscape" is thus generated. There are lots of rock types here and you can even see gradient colors on some of the rocks. The famous rocks will be introduced below. You will definitely be amazed when seeing the art of nature in person!

Pedestal rock area/ wave-cut platform- 2 main characteristics of the Geopark
In the first area, you will see lots of pedestal rocks, ginger shaped rocks and candle shaped rocks. When looking around, pedestal rocks are everywhere. With time passing by, the hard concretion inside the sandstone is exposed, and with the effect of wind, sun, rain, wave as well as the erosion of the northeast monsoon, the pedestal rocks of different shapes, such as the pedestal rocks with no necks, bulk necks, narrow necks and broken necks, are thus formed. The landscape with lots of pedestal rocks is very uneven, so pay attention while you are walking on it. Do not be too focused on taking photos or enjoying the view and fall.

The second area on the other side of the Geopark has the wave-cut landscape. You will find sea caves, coastal notches, wave-cut platform and cuesta. On one side of the wave-cut platform is the cliff and on the other side is the rapid wave. You will find lots of interesting rocks eroded by the seawater here, including the Twenty-four Filial Exemplars Rocks.

Landscape Wonder- The Pedestal Rocks
When first walking into the Geopark, you will see a huge area of the pedestal rocks. When seeing afar, it's like the cute mushrooms park. And the pedestal rocks are the landscape that attracts most people in the Yehliu Geopark. The process for the formulation of the pedestal rock is first the rock formation exposed from the sea surface, and the seawater will erode the rock continuously. After some time, the hard concretion inside the sandstone is exposed, and with the effect of wind, sun, rain, wave as well as the erosion of the northeast monsoon, the pedestal rocks of different shapes, such as the pedestal rocks with no necks, bulk necks, narrow necks and broken necks, are thus formed. The different shapes of the rocks represent the different formation processes. The landscape with lots of pedestal rocks is very uneven, so pay attention while you are walking on it. Do not be too focused on taking photos or enjoying the view and fall.

The Star of the Geopark - "Queen's Head"
The next coming up is the star of the Yehliu Geopark, "Queen's Head". The Queen's Head is a kind of pedestal rock. When the crustal structure was rising, the differential erosion of the seawater made the Queen's Head what it is like today. If we divide its height by the average crust rising speed in northern Taiwan, we will learn the Queen's Head is about 4,000 years old. The Queen's Head is a kind of pedestal rock. However, the joint on its upper concretion broke during 1962-1963. When viewing from a certain angle, it looks similar to the head portrait of Elizabeth II and thus acquires the name. With the natural weathering effect over the decades, the neck of the Queen's Head is getting even narrower. To prevent erosion by human activities for that tourists might touch it, the Queen's Head is now under protection. If you would like to take a photo with the Queen's Head, you can walk on the wooden plank trail to line up. Besides, you can view the Queen's Head from afar and take photos with it on the trail.

    The "Cute Princess Rock" and "Candle Shaped Rock" are the popular landscape at the Geopark. The formation process of the "Cute Princess Rock" is similar to that of the Queen's Head. The eroded rock looks like a princess with a ponytail and is said to be the potential replacement of the Queen's Head. Doesn't the rock look like a little girl with her hair in a bun? Though the Cute Princess Rock is probably not as element and sophisticated as the Queen's Head, it gives people a feeling of passion and sweetness.

    How was the "Candle Shaped Rock" named? I guess you already know! The landscape looks just like candles. There are 3 main processes for the formation of the Candle Shaped Rock. First the candle fire is exposed, and the area around it is eroded to form a groove. Finally, the candlestick is cut and the Candle Shaped Rock is thus formed. The candle fire is actually a round concretion in the rock formation. When seawater erodes sandstone, the round concretion which is harder is exposed on the ground. And when waves dash against the concretion, seawater flow around the concretion to erode the sandstone around it. A groove is formed as a result. Since the formation outside the concretion is harder, seawater will flow according to the shape of the formation and cut the rock into a cone shape that looks like a candlestick. And a rock that looks like the shape of candle is formed by mother nature.

    Amazing Rocks- Cuesta
    Now let's look at the beautiful scene of the Cuesta in the second area. Walking along on the road to the Cuesta, you will see the most beautiful sea and mountain scene in the Geopark. You can view the Cuesta on one side and the sea cliff as well as wave-cut platform on the other side.

    The Cuesta features a sharp cliff on one side and a smooth slope on the other side. It is formed because the main stratum is pushed by uneven force and speed, which results in uneven rise of the stratum. When the stratum is pushed, the lump on the ground will cause the stratum to break. And after the seawater erosion, a landscape that looks like a "natural slide" is gradually formed.

    Guess how famous is the Yehliu Geopark? CNN once reported that the scene at the "Yehliu Geopark" is like the landscape in the outer space and that it has the environment that looks just like the one Mars has. You will definitely find lots of gorgeous and special rocks, including the "Queen's Head", "Ice Cream Rocks", "Beehive Rocks", "Ginger Shaped Rocks" and other wave-cut landscape. You will definitely be amazed by the diverse geologic structure and landscapes here. What's more, you can see how great and powerful nature is. Whether it's from the perspective of geographic environment or location and transportation, the Geopark is definitely worth visiting!

    Transportation Information of the Yehliu Geopark
    *Tamsui Bus No.862 (Take the bus heading to Keelung in front of MRT Tamsui Station and get off at Yehliu.) The bus sets out every 30 minutes.
    *KUO-KUANG eBus No. 1815 (Take the bus heading to Chinshan Youth Activity Center at the KUO-KUANG eBus Station at Taipei Main Station. The Bus drives along Zhongxiao E. Road and makes a brief stop at the Taipei City Hall Bus Station. Please get off at Yehliu.) The bus sets out every 20 minutes.
    *Keelung Bus No.790 (Take the bus heading to Jinshan next to Keelung Train Station and get off at Yehliu.) The bus sets out every 15 minutes.
    *Keelung Bus No.1068 (Take the bus heading to Jinshan at National Taiwan University and get off at Yehliu Geopark.)
    *Keelung Bus No.953 (Take the bus heading to Jinshan at the bus station next to Banqiao Train Station and get off at Yehliu Geopark.)

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    New Taipei City’s Happy Waterfront Line: Offering a number of activities that satisfy your needs at once!
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Join us in exploring the riverside to rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit!”Family fun: The Bear Monkey Forest of New Taipei City Metropolitan Park, Sunshine Sports Park in Xindian, and Bitan Scenic Area.Featuring a vast expanse of over 400 hectares, the New Taipei City Metropolitan Park is a seldom-seen green corridor within the city. In recent years, both the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line and the MRT Taoyuan Airport Line have established a station here (Sanchong Station), greatly enhancing the region's accessibility. The largest inclusive park in the country, “Bear Monkey Forest”, is also located within the metropolitan park. With slides inspired by the images of over 31 species endemic to Taiwan, more than a hundred recreational facilities, and an inclusive playground that seamlessly integrates with the natural terrain and ecology, Bear Monkey Forest is undoubtedly the ideal place for family fun. The “Sea World Water Park” was opened in the summer of 2022. 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    “Get in the Sedan Chair!” “Let’s Go!” Yehliu Cultural Festival of Jumping into the Sea with Gods
    One day in 1820, fishermen of Yehliu found a Fujian-style sailboat drifting alone on the open waters, so they boarded the sailboat to check, and found no one on it. However, they found a statue of Kai Zhang Sheng Wang and Chinese fir and limestone, building materials, in the cabin. After having a discussion, people resolved to welcome the god to their fishing village. They used building materials found on the boat to build a temple called Baoan Temple to bless fishermen in Yehliu a safe journey when they went fishing on the sea.Several decades later, a boat from Fujian struck a reef and sank. After the tragedy, Kai Zhang Sheng Wang entered the body of a spirit medium to indicate fishermen to offer sacrifices to pray for peace, not allowing the remains of victims to be brought to the fishing port. Kai Zhang Sheng Wang further indicated that He would go on an inspection tour around the port at Lantern Festival in person. Following the instructions of the God, young and strong residents in Yehliu carried the God’s sedan chair on January 15 of the lunar calendar, jumping into the cold sea water to expel ghosts and monsters at the port. This was the origin of jumping into the sea with gods in Yehliu.Come in Water and Go in FireThe tradition of jumping into the sea with gods in Yehliu has over one hundred years of history, and it is a unique activity at Lantern Festival at Taiwan’s Northern Coast. The tradition enjoys the fame with Sky Lantern Festival in Pingxi and beehive fireworks in Yanshui as they are all intangible cultural heritage. The four rituals of jumping into the sea with gods in Yehliu include “going on an inspection tour with gods on the sea,” “bringing back a whole cabin of catches,” “jumping into the sea with gods,” and “stepping on the bonfire with gods to expel evils and adversities.” Participating followers have to jump into the water with a god’s sedan chair first, and run toward the bonfire after they go ashore. Therefore, we say “come in the water, and go in the fire.” It is the most distinctive cultural festival in Wanli District.Jumping into the sea with gods is an annual occasion in Yehliu. Residents and fishermen in Yehliu support the event by donating money and contributing their labor to plan it. It is an important activity that enables local people to work together as a team. The event of jumping into the sea with gods starts early in the morning, and followers and sacrificial service chiefs carry out the blessing ceremony successively in Baoan Temple. In front of the temple, you can see the spectacular performances of the lion dance of Yehliu Elementary School, beiguan music club, and god’s generals. It is difficult to take your eyes off the performances, and you can hear the sounds of camera shutters one after another as well. The temple workers carry the eight gods’ sedan chairs to the front of Baoan Temple. After they carefully place gods’ statues in the sedan chairs, they hang firecrackers on the sedan chairs. Strong and brave men carrying the sedan chairs move forward while firecrackers are being set off. For a moment, the sounds of firecrackers resound across the sky, going through the cloudy and rainy sky to the Heavenly Palace.Going on an Inspection Tour with Gods on SeaThe lead boat sets sail with people’s blessings, kicking off the event of going on an inspection tour with gods on the sea. Over ten fishing boats follow the lead boat in order and dash out Yehliu Fishing Port amid the loud noise of firecrackers. During the one hour of the inspection tour, all fishing boats circle around Yehliu Fishing Port three times to pray for plentiful catches and safety.Bringing back a Full Cabin of CatchesAfter an inspection tour on the sea, fishermen will open their cabin and crane up a full load of catches to the truck before they return to Baoan Temple. This means that fishermen will get a full load of catches on their each voyage this year. Next, the city mayor will host a charity auction for catches, where competitive bidding can be seen at the scene.Jumping into the Sea with Gods The highly anticipated event of “Jumping into the Sea with Gods” starts in front of Baoan Temple as people shout “get into the sedan chair” and “let’s go” loudly. Strong and brave men in Yehliu carry the eight gods’ sedan chairs for Kai Zhang Sheng Wang, Mazu, General Zhou Cang, the Lord of Land and so on, and they brave the cold and dash into the fishing port amid the loud cheers of people. The scene is exactly the same as the one when Kai Zhang Sheng Wang went on an inspection tour at the fishing port over one hundred years ago. The ceremony is held to expel ghosts and spirits, praying for favorable weather and safety.In recent years, the event has changed with the times: people are welcome to join the activity of jumping into the sea with gods, and a design competition is held. After gods’ sedan chairs arrive at the fishing port, 100 people are welcome to participate in the event of jumping into the sea. The year 2024 is the year of the dragon, so quite a few participants wear clothing with the style of the dragon to celebrate the year of the dragon and pray for safety in the coming year.Stepping on Bonfire with Gods to Expel Evils and Adversities After strong and brave men carrying gods’ sedan chairs jump into the port, they have to swim across Yehliu Port with the sedan chairs. After they come ashore, they are ready to step on the bonfire. When it is time, the shouts of “get into the sedan chair” and “let’s go” echo throughout Yehliu, and strong and brave men carry gods’ sedan chairs and step on the bonfire that has been sprinkled with salt and rice barefooted to purify calamities on their bodies. After doing this for three rounds, they complete the ritual of “coming in the water, and going in the fire.”Being led by the beiguan music club, gods make a pilgrimage procession around the fishing port to protect Yehliu. The cultural festival of jumping into the sea with gods originated from a mysterious unmanned boat drifting on the sea over one hundred years ago. After Kai Zhang Sheng Wang was brought ashore by local fishermen, He entered the body of a spirit medium to go on an inspection tour at the port to protect the safety of Yehliu Fishing Port. Residents in Yehliu, in return, pass down the tradition. The event of jumping into the sea with gods is not only a special activity at Lantern Festival, but also a shared memory of residents of different generations in Yehliu.