Taiwan is the youngest island formed by tectonic activity, formed when the Eurasian Plate subducted beneath the Philippine Sea plate roughly four or five million years ago. The collision created many orogenic mountains and conditions many believe are well suited to geothermal energy. Now, the island is a food mecca (home to several Michelin-recommended restaurants) and geological tourism haven. Spend a few days in Taiwan’s capital city before venturing out to its national parks and geothermal areas.
Fly into the bustling city of Taipei, located on the northern tip of the Taipei Basin, and enjoy the city’s many recognized street food vendors, teas, night markets and temples. Foodies should definitely try youtiao, a traditional Taiwanese breakfast of fried doughnut sticks dipped in warm soy milk. Other food must-trys include scallion pancakes, boiled oysters and pork-braised rice, as well as bubble tea, which originated in Taiwan and is on almost every street corner.
Before you leave the city, make sure to take the Taipei Metro to the Xiangshan stop and follow signs to the trailhead for Elephant Mountain. The small peak is part of the Nangang Mountain system and composed mostly of sandstone, offering fantastic views of the city. The hike is steep, climbing many sets of stairs, but only about an hour and a half.
Visit Hot Springs in the Beitou Region
Once you’ve seen the city to your heart’s content, take a day trip to Beitou, about an hour north of Taipei, to visit some of the island’s more than 100 geothermal hot springs. Nearby Sulfur Springs Valley was formed more than 700,000 years ago by several erupting volcanoes. During the 17th century, the Chinese used it as a sulfur mine, but when the Japanese colonized the area in 1895, they saw an opportunity to relax in steaming hot mineral baths.
You can still visit the old mining site inside Yangmingshan National Park, just north of Beitou. The valley is home to many fumaroles, and pipes bring the area’s gases to several local resorts. A footbath nearby offers a free opportunity to immerse yourself in the area’s waters, but this area is largely for hiking and viewing the geothermal elements of the region. There are many more tourist-friendly bath houses within the town of Beitou, should you be looking for a spa experience.
Hike Taiwan’s Highest Peak
Speaking of hiking, a roughly four-hour drive south of Taipei will take you to Yushan National Park, a hiking and climbing hub established a few years after the Japanese occupation of Taiwan ended. You need a permit to complete the two-day, round-trip hike up Mount Jade, the highest peak in Taiwan at 12,966 feet – just a few hundred feet more than Mount Fuji in Japan. But, much shorter hiking opportunities abound within the park as well, and visitors can camp to explore several hiking trails during their stay.
According to the Taiwanese National Park Service, the park can be divided into five geological regions: “From west to east, there is the Miocene unmetamorphosed sedimentary rock region of the western foothills, slate of Xueshan Range during the old Tertiary Period, the Miocene slate region of Lushan, slate of Pilu Range during the old Tertiary Period and complex rocks of metamorphic foundation in Da-nan-ao formed toward the later stage of the Paleozoic Era.”
Beaches and Strange Formations
When your legs have had enough hiking, continue southeast to Kenting National Park. Jialeshui Scenic Area inside the park is among the most-famous geological sites in Taiwan. The name “Jialeshui” is derived from the local Paiwan word meaning “noisy water,” which makes sense, as the area is known for its Shanhai Waterfall, which flows directly into the ocean. The sandstone that composes the area’s formations was created between 10 and 20 million years ago and is continually eroding – meaning, the opportunity to visit is dwindling. Many of the formations are named for the animals they resemble and include Beehive Rock, Turtle Rock, Toad Rock and more.
Whether you jump into the country’s nature wholeheartedly, immersing yourself in the ocean, mineral water and the mountains, or simply take your time enjoying the many sites to see, Taiwan is a country that should definitely rank high on your geological travel bucket list.