Tropic of Cancer Marker Park Introduction
The Tropic of Cancer Marker Park is located in the Ruisi Wuzhuhui Plateau, characterized by a white sundial shape, making it a must-take photo spot for travelers passing through the plateau. The park features an outdoor parking lot, a large teapot-shaped installation art, restrooms, pedestrian paths, and recreational areas. The pedestrian path from the parking lot to the park is designed as an accessible path, allowing visitors of all ages to walk easily to the Tropic of Cancer Marker and the teapot installation for memorable photos, or to browse the explanatory signs in all four directions to learn about the 24 lunar mansions and celestial phenomena while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery of the surrounding tea gardens. Along the wooden corridors on both sides of the park, there are numerous explanatory signs related to celestial phenomena, climate, solar terms, and Earth sciences. There are also vendors nearby selling honey-flavored black tea and Wuzhuhui coffee, allowing travelers to rest and enjoy a good cup of tea or coffee, experiencing local flavors and picking up some gifts to take home. During the summer solstice, it is the time to observe the unique celestial phenomena of the Tropic of Cancer, making it an excellent opportunity to photograph the tea gardens and the Central Mountain Range. The blue sky, bright Tropic of Cancer, green tea gardens, and the distant Central Mountain Range create the most classic scenery on the Ruisi Plateau, a beautiful sight for passing travelers. The Tropic of Cancer marks the farthest point north where the sun can directly hit the Northern Hemisphere, located at latitude 23.5 degrees North. On the summer solstice, the sun directly shines on the Tropic of Cancer, causing a unique phenomenon known as "no shadow at noon." Additionally, most countries and regions through which the Tropic of Cancer passes are deserts, making Taiwan a rare oasis on the Tropic of Cancer, with its island climate and monsoon creating this special geographical landscape. In Taiwan, there are three Tropic of Cancer markers located in Shueishang Township, Chiayi; Ruisi Township, Hualien; and Fengbin Township. The marker located in Ruisi was established in 1933, situated on the west side of Ruisi Railway Station, and later relocated to its current site due to the widening of the East Line Railway. However, the exact location where the Tropic of Cancer crosses Provincial Highway No. 9 is actually about two kilometers south of the current Tropic of Cancer marker.
