6-Day Taiwan Geological Wonders Discovery Tour

After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport, proceed to Taipei Main Station by vehicle. Transfer to a train for a roughly 2-hour ride to Hualien. Our staff will be waiting for you at Hualien Railway Station and escort you to the hotel for check-in and rest. Feel free to contact our travel consultant anytime if you have any questions during the journey.

In the morning, visit Qixingtan Beach, a stretch covered with pebbles of various sizes. Polished smooth by the constant washing and rubbing of seawater, these stones line the shore. Many pebble towers stacked by passing tourists dot the beach, like a silent pact among visitors from near and far. Afterwards, head to Shitiping. Stretching for one kilometer, the grayish-white tuff layers have been eroded by the sea into stepped terraces, dotted with sea-eroded gullies and uplifted coral reefs. The scattered pothole landscapes are hailed as a unique spectacle in Taiwan, and intertidal organisms can be spotted in the cracks of the rock platforms. Explore this geological secret carved jointly by volcanoes and the ocean.

Pebble tower on the beach

Arrive at Fugang Geopark (also known as Little Yehliu) in the afternoon. The alternating layers of sandstone and mudstone are covered with coral reefs, forming spectacular landscapes such as monoclines and tofu rocks through weathering and marine erosion, which are quite similar to the landform of northern Yehliu. The huge coral reef clusters stretch in twists and turns, with banyan roots wrapping around the rock masses to form the "tree-hugging-rock" scene, and the erosion textures on the rock surfaces record the traces of geological evolution. After admiring these masterpieces carved by nature along the coastal boardwalk, take a car to Taitung City, check in at the hotel and rest to recharge energy for the subsequent itinerary.

Your Journey's Rewards:

Admire the wonders of scattered pothole landscapes, witness geological carving by volcanoes and the ocean, and capture the natural picture of reefs and vegetation.

Educational Focus:

Why are the pothole landscapes at Shitiping renowned as a unique geological feature in Taiwan? What unique natural conditions are required for their formation?

Takeaway:

Potholes form based on tuff layers created by volcanic eruptions. Through long-term wave impact, sand and sediment abrasion, combined with crustal uplift, they gradually develop into scattered concave landscapes. The precise alignment of rock texture, wave intensity, and geological movements at Shitiping makes it a rare large-scale pothole concentration in Taiwan, a classic example of geological collaboration between the ocean and volcanoes.

Thoughts Challenge:

How should humans protect these non-renewable natural heritage sites sculpted by natural forces over millions of years?

Eluanbi Park, Taiwan's southernmost point, is reachable via a roughly 3-hour drive from Taitung. This geological wonder is formed by the uplift of underwater coral reef platforms , with coral reef limestone terrain spread throughout. Wandering the park, steep and jagged reefs are everywhere—reef columns stand tall like giant pillars, and interlayer caves are scattered. These are all masterpieces of long-term wave erosion.

Eluanbi Park

Head to Longpan Park in the afternoon. It is an uplifted coral reef limestone platform, where long-term dissolution has created unique landforms such as rifts, sinkholes, and limestone caves . On the open grassy platform, steep cliffs face the vast Pacific Ocean. Against the backdrop of the sea and sky merging into one, the erosion textures on the rocks contrast with the red soil landscape, marking the traces of geological evolution. After the tour, take a vehicle back to Kenting City for check-in and reflect on the shock of the geological wonders in a quiet atmosphere.

Your Journey's Rewards:

Witness geological traces carved by waves and dissolution, admire uplifted coral reef landforms, and capture the magnificent scenery of the merged sea-sky view and coastal exotic rocks.

Educational Focus:

What impact does wave erosion have on the coral reef limestone in Eluanbi Park? Why can diverse exotic rocks form here?

Takeaway:

The coral reef limestone in Eluanbi is formed by the accumulation of ancient coral remains, with a hard but uneven structure. The weak parts of the reefs have been continuously impacted by waves over a long period, gradually eroded into shapes such as reef columns and caves. The "Kissing Rocks" are exactly polished by repeated wave scouring, and diverse erosion methods have created rich rock wonders in the park.

Thought Challenge:

As natural forces continuously change coastal geological wonders, how should we strike a balance between appreciation and protection?

Visit the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in the morning. Through realistic scene restorations, the museum showcases the distribution of coral reefs from shallow to deep seas. The limestone structures formed by the accumulation, compaction, and petrification of coral polyps' remains clearly present the million-year geological deposition process. Through the underwater tunnel, you can see coral reefs formed in different geological periods—their bedding structures and erosion traces intuitively interpret the synergy between marine organisms and geological movements, making it an immersive geological science classroom.

coral reefs

In the afternoon, head to Houbihu. Evolved from a coral reef platform, this sea area hides unique coastal geological landscapes. Famous for its rich coral reef ecosystems and fish resources, it attracts divers from around the world to explore. We will take a semi-submersible sightseeing boat here to go underwater, observe coral reefs up close, and learn about Kenting's coral reef protection achievements. After the tour, take a vehicle to Kaohsiung, check in at the hotel, and reflect on the shock and insights brought by the geological exploration.

Semi-submersible sightseeing boat

Your Journey's Rewards:

Explore the geological evolution code of coral reefs, admire the wonders of coastal micro-landforms, and feel the synergetic charm of organisms and geological movements.

Educational Focus:

How do coral polyps' remains gradually turn into hard limestone? What geological conditions are required for this process?

Takeaway:

After coral polyps die, their remains continuously accumulate to form coral reef deposits. Under long-term deep-sea high-pressure environments, these deposits gradually petrify through sediment compaction and mineral cementation, eventually forming limestone. This process requires a stable sedimentary environment, suitable seawater temperature and salinity, and long-term geological processes—none can be absent—vividly demonstrating the mutual shaping of organisms and geological environments.

Thought Challenge:

How can the natural wonders co-created by organisms and geology be perpetually preserved amid human activities?

In the morning, first visit Lotus Pond, a famous religious landmark in Kaohsiung that houses Taiwan's largest Kaohsiung Confucius Temple. However, it is most renowned for the Water Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, following the principle of "entering through the dragon's throat and exiting through the tiger's mouth". Afterwards, head to Moon World, a geological wonder composed of badland terrain. Due to the interbedding of claystone and sandstone eroded by rainwater and weathered, it presents a rugged landscape with alternating red and brown hues, crisscrossed by gullies and jagged peaks, resembling the surface of the moon.

In the afternoon, head to Cijin Old Street to taste southern Taiwan's delicacies. The street is lined with food stalls and seafood restaurants, offering authentic traditional southern Taiwan snacks such as grilled squid, sweet potato cakes, seafood rice noodles, fish belly soup, and more, which are highly praised by tourists from all over. Among the various featured foods, "tomato slices" is a unique way to eat in southern Taiwan. Fresh large tomatoes are cut into pieces and dipped in a special sauce made of soy sauce, sugar, and ginger paste. The wonderful savory-sweet taste can only be found here.

Your Journey's Rewards:

Marvel at the badland geological wonders, witness the sculpting power of running water, weathering, and ocean waves, and capture the unique landscapes of diverse landforms.

Educational Focus:

Why does the 'badland' terrain of Moon World exhibit a desolate landscape like the lunar surface? What are the key factors behind its formation?

Takeaway:

The 'badland' terrain of Moon World originates from a geological foundation of interbedded claystone and sandstone. These rock layers are soft and weakly resistant to erosion. After long-term intensive rainfall scouring and wind weathering, the surface soil has been completely lost. The exposed rock layers display an interlaced reddish-brown hue, and coupled with crisscrossing gullies and lack of vegetation cover, they ultimately form a desolate landscape resembling the lunar surface.

Thought Challenge:

Facing natural erosion, how can human activities reduce additional damage to the fragile geological landforms?

On the last day of your journey, after packing your luggage, we will transfer you from Kaohsiung to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport according to your flight schedule. You will embark on your journey home with rich knowledge of Taiwan's unique geographical wonders and wonderful memories.