Cape Gwaang Geopark Introduction
Heping Island Geopark is located on the eastern side of Keelung Harbor, serving as the gateway to Keelung Port and one of the earliest places in northern Taiwan with the footprints of Westerners. It is also one of the first areas settled by Han Chinese in Keelung. This area was originally a settlement of the Ketagalan people and was later designated as a military control zone. Currently, some coastal areas have been opened up as Heping Island Geopark. The main recreational focus of Heping Island Geopark is the significant coastal erosion landforms within the park. The geology of Heping Island consists of sandstone, with remarkable rock formations along the coastline that have been shaped by wind and wave erosion over time, creating unique landforms such as wave-cut platforms, tofu rock, sea erosion trenches, cliffs, weathering windows, sea caves, mushroom rocks, Lion Head Rock, and Bear Head Rock. The most famous formations are the "Thousand Layers" and "Ten Thousand People Pile" (mushroom rocks). In addition to the stunning landforms, the exposed sedimentary fossils and trace fossils are treasures of Heping Island's geology. To protect these valuable geological resources, the rock control areas are opened to guided tours by reservation only. Furthermore, Heping Island Geopark provides outdoor pools and sandy beach areas for children and families to swim, play in the water, and build sandcastles. The "Kiss the Water" pool allows people to observe various intertidal organisms while minimizing artificial structures to reduce harm to nature and maintain the ecological integrity of this beautiful natural treasure. After Heping Island Geopark was incorporated into the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area, special attention was paid to creating an accessible environment during renovations. Every aspect, from the parking lot, viewing platforms, beach area, wading pool, to accessible pathways and restrooms, aims to provide greater convenience for visitors with limited mobility. In 2018, it was awarded the Svayam Accessibility Award for Best Accessible Tourist Attraction, committed to creating the most comfortable recreational environment for every visitor.
