Hou-shih Reef Introduction
The Hou-shih-Kun reef is located on the southeastern coast of Xiaoliuqiu, where there are extensive marine erosion platforms. Due to the long-term erosion by seawater, the platform presents uneven depressions everywhere. Along both sides of the round-the-island highway, one can easily spot remarkable rock formations that attract many visitors to stop and admire. The coral reef stones here are shaped similarly to familiar animals or characters, which in turn leads to amusing associations. The Climbing Tiger Rock, as the name suggests, is a reef that resembles a climbing tiger. On a slope covered with green grass, there is a boulder that appears to be crawling with its limbs spread out. This rock was once an ordinary stone, but due to tectonic uplift, it was raised above the water's surface. The seawater eroded the rock along its joints, causing the coral reef block to gradually decompose and collapse, resulting in the Climbing Tiger Rock we see today. The Guanyin Rock is also a special stone. In the Buddhist world, Guanyin Bodhisattva is a deity known for compassion and love for the world, holding an incomparable position in people's hearts. Many people silently pray to Guanyin in times of difficulty, hoping for relief from adversity. This remarkable stone, located on the coast, resembles Guanyin facing the sea in contemplation. In a beautiful imagination, this Guanyin Rock might be the guardian stone of peace for Xiaoliuqiu. The Red Barbary Stone is an intriguing rock due to its two strikingly contrasting appearances. It is known by this name because it resembles the likeness of a Native American head. Upon closer observation, there seems to be little contention over its shape. However, some have ascribed a new association to the Red Barbary Stone, suggesting that the green grass scattered on the rock resembles the form of Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu. If you have the chance, you can come to see for yourself! Of course, the strange stone landscape of Xiaoliuqiu does not stop here; there are numerous bizarre rocks resembling wild boars, mice, monkeys, frogs, parrots, and more. By viewing them from various angles, one might discover unexpected new forms.
