The iconic “Queen’s Head” rock formation at Yehliu Geopark on the north coast will be reopened to visitors on Lunar New Year’s Eve tomorrow, the park’s management office said.
The famous sandstone, sculpted by waves and wind over time into a shape that resembles an Egyptian queen’s head, is a popular attraction for many tourists. But it was sealed off a month ago to facilitate a project to renovate its surrounding pathways.
Yang Ching-chien (楊景謙), the park’s general manager, said the renovation project was near completion and that the site could be reopened to the public this weekend. However, Yang said that because of the more than 45 years of natural erosion as well as tourists touching it with their hands, the neck circumference of the “Queen’s Head” has been decreasing rapidly, from 148cm in 2007 to 136cm last year.
The neck will break off naturally in five to 10 years, he said.
Having failed to stop the natural forces, the park is now trying to protect the rock from human damage by stationing two security officers nearby and installing 13 surveillance cameras there to keep a watchful eye around the clock, he said.
Meanwhile, Yang said, the “Princess’ Head” — a new rock formation that looks similar to the “Queen’s Head” — has recently drawn many curious visitors.
The park contains a number of unusual rock formations that have been given imaginative names based on their shapes. Other noted rock formations in the park include “The Fairy Shoe,” “The Bee Hive,” “The Ginger Rocks” and “The Sea Candles.”
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