Yehliu Geopark

Rocks shaped like nothing else on Earth

Yehliu Geopark occupies a narrow cape extending into the East China Sea north of Keelung. Over millions of years, differential erosion by sea and wind has carved its yellow sandstone into mushroom-shaped rocks, candle-shaped columns, tofu blocks, and honeycomb formations that look genuinely alien. The most famous of them — the Queen’s Head — has been photographed so many times that it now has its own designated photography queue.

The park is not very large (about 1.7 km of walking paths on the cape) but it is consistently fascinating. Geology explanations are posted at each formation type. The park is part of virtually every north coast day-trip itinerary and appears on most organized tours from Taipei.

Where	Wanli township, New Taipei City, ~40 km from Taipei
Getting there	KBUS 1815 from Taipei Bus Station, 80–90 min
Cost	TWD 120 admission (~€3.30 / $3.80)
Time needed	1.5–2.5 hours; combine with Jiufen and/or Keelung for a full day
Best time	Morning, before 9:00 AM, to beat tour bus crowds

The formations and what to expect inside the park

Zone 1 — Mushroom rocks and the Queen’s Head

The first zone after the entrance contains the highest concentration of mushroom rocks — pedestals topped with rounded caps, formed because the upper portions resist erosion better than the softer stems. The Queen’s Head (女王頭) is in this zone. It stands about 1.7 meters tall and resembles a woman’s profile in side view.

Important note: the Queen’s Head “neck” has been narrowing for years due to erosion. Authorities estimate it will eventually break. In 2023–2024 they considered whether to let it naturally collapse or to intervene. As of mid-2026 it still stands, but visit sooner rather than later if this is your priority.

The queue to photograph the Queen’s Head can be 20–30 minutes long on weekends and in peak tourist seasons. Arrive before 9:00 AM to walk around it freely. The official photography point is marked; do not climb on the rock or touch it — the formations are fragile and rangers enforce this.

Zone 2 — Candle rocks and sea lanes

Further along the cape, candle-shaped rocks stand in clusters, their narrow bases widened where harder mineral veins resisted erosion. Between formations you can see the rock surface pitted with “potholes” — circular depressions caused by swirling pebbles in wave action. Concretions (spherical hardened mineral balls) embedded in the cliff face are visible throughout.

The sea is immediately beside the path in Zone 2. On windy days, spray reaches the walkway. The views back toward the cape’s entrance and forward to the cape tip are genuinely good.

Zone 3 — Sea erosion platform (restricted access)

The third zone at the cape tip requires a separate access permit (available at the park office, limited numbers). It’s a geologically active area with more recent formations and tidal pools. Worth getting the permit if you’re interested in geology beyond the highlights; skip it if you’re short on time.

Yehliu Geopark admission ticket (skip the gate queue)

Getting to Yehliu from Taipei

By bus (public transport): From Taipei Bus Station (near Taipei Main Station), take KBUS 1815 or 1815A direct to Yehliu — roughly TWD 100–120 one way, 80–90 minutes. Buses depart approximately every 30 minutes. This is the cheapest and most independent option.

By local bus from Keelung: Bus 790 from Keelung Bus Station to Yehliu (TWD 30–40, about 40 minutes). This makes sense if you’re combining Keelung with Yehliu in the same day.

By tour (recommended if combining multiple stops): Most Taipei day tours include Yehliu alongside Jiufen and/or Shifen. The logistics of Yehliu → Jiufen → (Shifen) are awkward by public transport (requiring buses and taxis across different lines); a tour handles routing cleanly for around TWD 900–1,500 per person.

By taxi or private car: From Taipei, a taxi direct to Yehliu costs around TWD 800–1,000. From Keelung, TWD 250–350. Taxis wait at the park exit but not always in large numbers — book a return before entering.

Guided day tour: Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen from Taipei

Combining Yehliu with other north coast stops

Yehliu is almost always done as part of a north coast circuit. The most common combinations:

Yehliu + Jiufen: The classic pairing. Yehliu in the morning (arrive 8:00–9:00 AM), then taxi or tour bus to Jiufen for lunch and the afternoon. Takes a full day but is manageable independently with a taxi between them (TWD 450–600).

Yehliu + Keelung: Geographically close — Keelung is only 15 km south. Visit Yehliu in the morning, then take a bus to Keelung for the Miaokou Night Market in the evening. Very practical combination.

Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen: The three-stop north coast tour. This requires 10–11 hours from Taipei and is best done by organized tour. See the north coast day trip itinerary for timing details.

Yehliu + Houtong + Jiufen + Shifen: A four-stop tour that many operators run. The logistics are complex but the tour packages handle the routing. See the best day trips from Taipei guide for comparison.

One-day tour: Yehliu + Shifen + Houtong + Jiufen

What to eat near Yehliu

The park entrance area has a cluster of seafood restaurants that are honest about being tourist-priced. If you’re eating at Yehliu specifically, expect to pay TWD 300–600 per person for a seafood lunch. For better value, hold off and eat in Keelung or Jiufen.

Wanli Seafood Area: A strip of restaurants 1 km east of the park with fresher seafood at slightly lower prices (TWD 250–450). Worth the walk if you have time and want a sit-down seafood meal.

Inside the park: A snack bar near the entrance sells drinks, ice cream, and light snacks. Good for a break but not a meal.

North coast combinations compared

Yehliu is rarely visited alone, and the right combination depends on how much time and how many stops your day can absorb.

Combination	Total time	Transport	Best for
Yehliu only	Half day	Direct bus 1815	Budget, minimal-fuss travelers
Yehliu + Jiufen	Full day	Taxi/tour between stops	The classic north coast pairing
Yehliu + Keelung	Half–full day	Local bus, short hop	Evening night market finish
Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen	Full day (10–11 hrs)	Organized tour recommended	First-timers wanting the complete circuit

For most first-time visitors with one day to spare, the three-stop Yehliu + Jiufen + Shifen tour delivers the best return on a single long day, since public-transport logistics between the three are genuinely awkward without a private vehicle.

Is the admission fee worth it, and should you pre-book?

At TWD 120, Yehliu’s entry fee is modest by international geopark standards, and the density of unusual formations packed into a compact 1.7 km walking area makes it good value even for a short visit. Pre-booking online mainly matters on weekends and public holidays, when the gate queue can add 15–20 minutes; on weekday mornings, walking up is usually just as fast. The bigger time cost isn’t the entry queue but the Queen’s Head photography line, which forms regardless of how you buy your ticket — arriving before 9:00 AM is the only reliable way to skip that one.

Practical notes

Crowds: Yehliu is busy. Tour buses begin arriving from 9:00–9:30 AM and it gets very crowded by 10:30 AM. Arrive early (before 8:30 AM if possible) or late (after 3:00 PM) for more comfortable viewing.

Weather: The cape is exposed. In winter and spring, strong winds are common — bring a light jacket even on mild days. In summer, the sun is intense and shade is limited; bring sunscreen and water.

Footwear: The walking paths are paved but include some uneven surfaces near the formations. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are fine; no hiking boots necessary.

Photography rules: Do not stand on, touch, or climb the formations. Rangers patrol actively and have the authority to remove visitors who damage the rocks. The formations are actively eroding — every physical contact accelerates their deterioration.

Time needed: Allow 1.5–2.5 hours for Zones 1 and 2 at a comfortable pace. Zone 3 adds 30–45 minutes if you have the permit.

Frequently asked questions about Yehliu

Is Yehliu worth visiting?

Yes, for anyone interested in unusual natural landscapes. The Queen’s Head is genuinely striking, and the density of varied geological formations in a small area is unusual globally. It’s accessible on a half-day from Taipei and makes an excellent anchor for a north coast day. If you’re very crowd-averse, visit early morning on a weekday.

How do I get to Yehliu from Taipei without a tour?

Take bus 1815 from Taipei Bus Station near Taipei Main Station. Journey time is 80–90 minutes, cost around TWD 100–120. Return buses run on the same schedule. This is the cheapest option but means you arrive alone without any guide context for the formations.

Is the Queen’s Head still standing?

As of mid-2026, yes. The neck is narrowing due to wave erosion and will eventually collapse. Authorities have discussed intervention options. Visit sooner if it’s a priority — there is no guarantee of how many more years it will remain.

Can I combine Yehliu and Jiufen in one day?

Yes, comfortably. Visit Yehliu in the morning (arrive early), then take a taxi or tour bus to Jiufen (40–50 min, about TWD 450–600 by taxi). Return to Taipei from Ruifang Station. A guided tour makes the logistics easier and usually costs less than the taxi separately.

What is the admission fee for Yehliu?

TWD 120 per adult (~€3.30 / $3.80). Children aged 6–12 pay TWD 60. You can pre-purchase tickets online to avoid the gate queue, especially useful on weekends and public holidays.

Is Yehliu better as a standalone trip or combined with other north coast stops?

Combined, for most visitors — Yehliu alone only needs 1.5–2.5 hours, leaving the rest of the day unused if you go independently. Pairing it with Jiufen and/or Keelung makes far better use of the travel time already spent reaching the north coast.

How does Yehliu compare to other Taiwan coastal or geological sights?

Yehliu is the most concentrated and accessible geological attraction near Taipei — nowhere else combines this density of formations with under 90 minutes of travel time from the capital. Taroko Gorge offers grander, more dramatic scenery but requires a full day trip to Hualien; Yehliu is the better choice when time is limited to a single north-coast day.