Yue Dong Recreation Area Introduction
Yue Dong is located in Fengbin Township, Hualien County, about one kilometer south of Shitiping and near Gangkou Village. It is a natural limestone cave, regarded as a sacred site by the indigenous people of Gangkou. Inside the cave, there is a water pool about five meters deep, which fluctuates with the phases of the moon, hence the name "Yue Dong," also known as "Moon Well." According to legend, there are many eels in the lake, including one that weighs over ten kilograms, known as the "Thousand-Year Eel," which is aggressive; hence, no one has dared to dive in for exploration so far. The cave is approximately eighty meters above sea level and about eight hundred meters from the coast. The entrance is about twenty-five meters high, and the cave itself is approximately one hundred seventy-six meters long, boasting a unique shape. Inside, there are two side chambers; the left one has a larger opening and extends about fifty meters, with a narrow, pointed top that is home to thousands of bats, adding an air of mystery. The right chamber is shorter, about forty meters. The cave is dark and mysterious, with traces of stalactites all over the rocky walls, and clusters of bats hanging overhead, featuring various landscapes like flowstones, draperies, stalagmites, swiftlet nests, and fish head fossils. For those wishing to explore the cave, a small boat operated by a guide is necessary, utilizing lighting from the boat for viewing. The temperature inside Yue Dong is around twenty degrees Celsius, making it warm in winter and cool in summer, suitable for visits year-round.
