Taitung|Xiaoyeliu・Eastern Coast Geopark——An outdoor art gallery carved by the sea breeze 🌊🪨
#September2025
A stroll along the trails of Xiaoyeliu reveals how waves, salt spray, and time have sculpted sandstone into tofu-shaped rocks, honeycomb rocks, and mushroom-shaped rocks. Looking up, you'll be greeted by a brilliantly clear blue sky, while turning back reveals sea-eroded terraces and a silvery-gray riverbed. The eastern coast transforms a "nature textbook" into a scenic stroll.
• Name | Xiaoyeliu (Eastern Coast Geopark Xiaoyeliu Recreation Area)
• Location | Northern suburbs of Taitung City, approximately 165K–167K on Provincial Highway 11 (north of Fugang Fishing Port)
• Price | Free admission; parking is subject to on-site announcements
• Hours | Open all day; early morning and evening are the most comfortable light and temperature
• Transportation | 10–15 minute drive from Taitung City; or take the East Coast bus to Xiaoyeliu Station
• Nearby attractions | Fugang Fishing Port, Jialulan, Taitung Seaside Park, Sanxiantai (northbound)
Background and History
Xiaoyeliu borrows its name from the famous Yehliu on the north coast, as it shares the same sea-eroded landforms and weathering patterns. Years of pounding seawater, salt spray, and wind have repeatedly eroded and cracked the sandstone/conglomerate surfaces, resulting in:
• Tofu rock: with regular joints, resembling cut cubes;
• Honeycomb rock: with a surface riddled with holes of varying sizes, as if pierced by bees;
• Mushroom rock: narrow at the bottom and wide at the top, resembling a mushroom;
• Sea erosion platforms and potholes: most visible at low tide, resembling the surface of the moon.
To protect the fragile rock surface, the park has recently installed wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms, directing visitors along a fixed path that is both safe and user-friendly.
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My actual walking route (follow the photos)
① Grassy slope at the entrance → Lime-white coastline
Park the car and walk to the beach in less than two minutes. The first sight is the white-gray rocks and the shimmering blue sea, with clouds sweeping across the sky like a brush. Lower the horizon so that the sky fills two-thirds of the frame, and your mood instantly brightens.
② The boardwalk curves into the shrubbery
The wooden boardwalk winds its way around the shrubbery, with signage explaining the rock formations and topography. I like to pause at corners to watch the wind gently push aside the branches, revealing a wider view.
③ River Mouth and Seawall
Walk north to a wide-open view overlooking the silvery-gray gravel bed at the river mouth and the blue of the open sea. At low tide, the seawall is exposed; lowering the exposure to EV −0.3 will enhance the details. This is a great spot for tripod-mounted silhouette portraits.
④ High Point Ocean View (Finale)
Finally, we climbed to a small hillock. To the left were the coastal mountains, and to the right was the Pacific Ocean. The waves rolled onto the shore, creating a slow, soothing rhythm. I sat by the railing, enjoying the breeze and listening to the waves rippling the gravel.
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10 Reasons I Recommend Xiaoyeliu
1. Free and No Barrier: Close to the city center, easy to find parking, and easy to get to whenever you want to see the sea. 2. High density of landscapes: Tofu rocks, honeycomb rocks, mushroom rocks, and potholes are all available in one place.
3. Friendly trails: The wooden plank road is gently paved, making it a leisurely stroll for families and adults alike.
4. Great for photography: The white limestone against the blue sea and sky creates clean, beautiful colors, making any photo beautiful.
5. The tides are dramatic: At low tide, see the platforms, tide pools, and biodiversity; at high tide, capture the breakers.
6. Learn something: The explanatory signs clearly explain the geology, making it the perfect outdoor geoscience class.
7. Convenient connections: The same route connects to Fugang Fishing Port, Jialulan, and Sanxiantai.
8. Perfect for all seasons: Dramatic clouds in summer, transparent in autumn and winter; even cloudy days offer a cool, rich texture.
9. Great for watching the sunrise or the blue sky: golden light in the morning, deep blue in the evening, two different expressions in one day. 10. Close to the Port: If you're heading to Green Island/Lanyu, consider taking Xiaoyeliu an hour before and after as a buffer for a stroll.
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Practical Tips (Avoidance List)⚠️
• Safety First: The sea-eroded platforms are slippery and prone to long waves. Please stay within the established trails and safety lines. Avoid wading in the waves or climbing dangerous rocks.
• Sunscreen and Hydration: The east coast experiences intense sunshine, so a hat, sunscreen, and 500–1000ml of water are essential. Bring a light jacket if the sea breeze is strong.
• Tide Watching: To see the platforms and tide pools, check low tide times; if you want to photograph the wave line, go before or after high tide.
• Leave No Trace on the Coast: Light items (invoices, plastic bags) can be easily blown away, so please take all your trash home.
• Respect the Ecosystem: Observe the creatures in the tide pools, but do not grab or turn over rocks.
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Photography Cheat Sheet (You Can Take Great Photos Even on Your Phone) 📸
• Make the Sky the Star: Place the horizon in the lower third of the frame; the blue sky and cloud patterns will fill the frame.
• Foreground Anchors: Use the corners of white limestone, the curved plank road, or the shadows of shrubs as the foreground for a more stable composition.
• Textured Close-ups: Close-up shots of honeycomb rock with side lighting create a three-dimensional texture.
• Silhouettes: Stand on the ridgeline for 5–10 minutes after sunset, raising your hand to point out the sea. This creates a truly memorable story.
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Food Review (with Address)
Blue Dragonfly Fast Food
Address: No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City
I ordered: Fried Chicken Leg + Chicken Nuggets Platter + Coke.
Why I Recommend It: The sea breeze makes me crave something savory and savory. The crust is thin and crispy, and the meat is juicy. While there are often lines, the tables turn over quickly. After a stroll, returning to the city is perfect for refueling.
If you're craving seafood, you can visit the seafood shops at Fugang Fishing Port; a clockwise itinerary is most convenient.
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Itinerary Suggestions (Apply Directly)
Half-Day Easy Version
Taitung City → Stroll along the Xiaoyeliu Trail (1.5 hours) → Dinner/Fishing at Fugang Fishing Port → Return to the city and visit Tiehua Village
Day Coastal Version
Morning bike ride in Seaside Park → Scenic viewing of Xiaoyeliu → Lunch in Fugang → Sunset viewing of the blues at Jialulan → Accommodation in the city
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My True Feelings
What captivates me most about Xiaoyeliu is the **"lines of time**": the wind rips the clouds into threads, the waves grind the rocks into round shapes, and the salt spray carves a dense network of tiny holes into the rock face. Walking along the boardwalk, the sea breeze gradually washes away the noise in your mind, leaving only your breath and the sound of the waves. When the Pacific Ocean retreats its sunlight, leaving behind the purest blue, you'll understand—travel isn't about constantly visiting attractions, but about finding a place and slowly experiencing it. 👏🏻
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Conclusion
If you want the easiest way to experience the beauty of Taitung's geology and the vibrant colors of the ocean, Xiaoyeliu is the answer: free, easy to get to, packed with attractions, and incredibly photogenic. Remember to check the tides, wear non-slip shoes, and take your trash with you so you can see the same clean and stunning coastline next time you return.
Xiaoyeliu | Eastern Coast Geopark | Fugang Fishing Port | Jialulan Coast Recreation Area | Taitung Seaside Park | Blue Dragonfly Fast Food (No. 214, Zhongzheng Road, Taitung City)
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