A natural rock known as the "Queen's Head" at the Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei City has been getting smaller over the years due to weathering. The Geopark generates more than NT$ 200 million in ticket sales, but nothing was invested to the maintenance of the iconic rock. The Control Yuan has demanded the local tourist department to review their policies and make due adjustments.


A natural rock standing seaside at the Yehliu Park is known as the "Queen's Head", and has been attracting visitors for years. However, the diameter of the rock has been dwindling over the years due to weathering. Between 2006 and 2017, the diameter has shrunk by 11 centimeters. In order to reduce the damage to rock, local management office has dispatched staff members to patrol the area, and has also set up a no-entry zone around the rock. However, members from the Control Yuan said the measures are far from enough.

You can imagine the effect of the protective measures. It looks like the staff members are protecting the rock. But it's very easy for anyone to cross over the perimeter. To place some rocks and to put up a no-entry sign on a red rope (is not enough). Theoretically, we cannot paint the words (on the rock). But are these measures enough? Clearly not.

Members of Control Yuan said that the Yehliu Geopark attracts over 3 million visitors each year, generating around NT$ 2 to 3 billion in local tourism industry. However, the management office of Yehliu Geopark did not invest in protective measures for the Queen's Head despite over NT$ 200 million in ticket sales per year.

(The Queen's Head does attract) many tourists. But it's now facing the challenge of weathering, and over time it might break. Many local experts have argued that if the rock breaks, the local tourism economy will suffer huge setbacks as well.

The Control Yuan has asked local tourism offices to review their measures. The management office of North Coast＆Guanyinshan National Scenic Area responded by saying that it takes craftsmen to fix the iconic rock. Many are arguing between different measures, and discussions will ensue once the report is made.