A narrow cape where the Pacific has been carving sandstone into shapes unlike anything else on Earth — one of Taipei's best half-morning day trips, with Jiufen and Shifen still waiting for you in the afternoon.
If you've seen that photo of a rock that looks uncannily like the side profile of a woman with her hair in a bun — that's the Queen's Head (女王頭), the icon of Yehliu Geopark (野柳地質公園). This narrow cape juts into the sea in Wanli District, New Taipei, just over an hour from central Taipei.
But the Queen's Head is just the beginning. Over a hundred rocks have been shaped by wave erosion, salt spray, and tectonic uplift into forms with names like Elephant Rock, Sea Candles, Ginger Rocks, Mushroom Rocks, and Fairy's Shoe. This guide walks you through all 3 zones, tells you how to get there, and helps you slot Yehliu into a classic north-coast day trip.
The path is a flat paved trail along the cape — no climbing needed. A full loop through all three zones takes about 1.5–2 hours.
Queen's Head (女王頭) — viewed from the side, the rock looks strikingly like the profile of a woman with her hair in an elegant bun, balanced on a slender neck. It is roped off; you photograph it from a designated viewing point and must queue during busy periods.
Elephant Rock sits nearby — its shape resembles an elephant's head emerging from the ground. Tidal pools form around it at low tide, catching the light beautifully in the morning.
Sea Candles (燭台石) — cylindrical pillars with a rounded lump on top, resembling candle flames. They stand in rows along the cape edge. Ginger Rocks have deep horizontal grooves in their surface, resembling sliced ginger root.
Fairy's Shoe is an elongated rock that does look like a shoe. Honeycomb Rocks — surfaces pitted with small holes formed as salt crystals dissolved the rock over centuries. Zone 2 is far less crowded than Zone 1.
Walk to the very end of the cape and the crowds thin to almost nothing. You get open Pacific views in three directions — the best backdrop on the whole site for calm photos without other tourists in frame.
Red boundary lines mark dangerous areas near the sea edge. Do not cross them — waves here are unpredictable and rocks are slippery when wet.
Bus 1815 is the cheapest and simplest choice — no transfers, get off and walk 10 minutes to the gate.
Most important tip: go early. Aim to arrive right at opening, around 08:00–08:30. Large tour-bus groups arrive mid-morning, roughly 10:00–11:30, creating long queues at the Queen's Head and filling the cape quickly. An early visit also means cooler air — the cape has zero shade and gets very hot by late morning.
Head to the Kuo-Kuang bus terminal beside Taipei Main Station and board the 1815 bus. Tell the driver you're getting off at Yehliu. No reservation needed — buses run frequently. The ride takes 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic.
From the bus stop it's about a 10-minute walk to the ticket booth. Entry is roughly NT$80–120. Arriving just after opening is ideal — the cape is nearly empty, the air is cool, and the low-angle morning light hits the rocks beautifully.
Head directly to the Queen's Head as your very first stop — queue time in the morning is minimal or zero. Once you have your photo, you can leisurely explore the other rocks in Zone 1 on the way back, without clock pressure from a growing queue.
Signs throughout the park name each formation. Part of the fun is spotting which rock matches its name. Zone 3 at the cape tip has the fewest people and the most dramatic sea views — worth the walk.
After 1.5–2 hours you'll be heading out right as the big tour groups are arriving — perfect timing. Continue by bus to Shifen to release a sky lantern, then wrap up the day wandering Jiufen's red-lantern old street at dusk.
Minivan day tours covering Yehliu + Shifen sky lanterns + Jiufen old street are available on Klook from around NT$1,200 — guide included, no bus transfers. (Affiliate link)
Release a sky lantern over Shifen's train tracks, then explore Jiufen's glowing red-lantern alley at dusk — the classic companion to Yehliu.
See the 1-Day Guide →Every rock formation, photography tips, the best time of day, and how to read the signs — the full deep-dive version.
Read Full Guide →All 10 top sights in Taipei — temples, towers, night markets, mountains — with directions and practical tips.
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