Laomei Green Reef (老梅綠石槽) is located only 650 m (2,133 ft) from the Northernmost tip of Taiwan. It is only 40 km (24.9 mi) from Taipei Station and takes about one hour by car. The green reef is an extraordinary location that presents the beauty and wonder of nature through million years’ evolution. It is located in Laomei - a small town of Shimen District. It is part of the North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area (北海岸及觀音山國家風景區).
After the two eruptions of the Datun Mountain 2.5 million years and 700,000 years ago, volcanic rocks formed along the north coast of Taiwan. Softer parts were washed away by waves throughout the years and these wave-cut gullies formed along the seashore. Erosion has left neat trenches in the reef, resulting in the wonderful scene we see today. Every year from late March to May this approximately 700 m (2,297 ft) long reef is covered by green algae hence the name. We went to the site at least 3 times and witnessed the mighty sea wave strong enough to make it an incredibly scene to capture the spindrift with the green reefs. Unfortunately, the green reef is no longer as beautiful as it used be due to its popularity and its uniqueness to take photos of the green reef. People step on the reef trying to take photos or just walk on the reef which damages the algae on top of the reefs. Today we can only see half of green reef near the water and the rest shows only brown rock. It is not only destroying the beautiful natural green color cover on the reef, but it is also dangerous to walk on these slippery algae-covered rocks. Global warming also threatens the site because the algae are very sensitive to the high temperature.
Make sure that you come in the right months and know the correct low-tide hours of the day in order to observe this marvelous scenery. It is one of the many natural types of scenery along the north coast of Taiwan. The nearby new parking lots really help the traffic in this small town and make it a pleasant visit to this natural wonder. Nearby you also visit the northernmost Fugui Cape Lighthouse (富貴角燈塔) which is located on the nearby hill and the Fuji Harbor (富基漁港) for lunch or dinner.
After the two eruptions of the Datun Mountain 2.5 million years and 700,000 years ago, volcanic rocks formed along the north coast of Taiwan. Softer parts were washed away by waves throughout the years and these wave-cut gullies formed along the seashore. Erosion has left neat trenches in the reef, resulting in the wonderful scene we see today. Every year from late March to May this approximately 700 m (2,297 ft) long reef is covered by green algae hence the name. We went to the site at least 3 times and witnessed the mighty sea wave strong enough to make it an incredibly scene to capture the spindrift with the green reefs. Unfortunately, the green reef is no longer as beautiful as it used be due to its popularity and its uniqueness to take photos of the green reef. People step on the reef trying to take photos or just walk on the reef which damages the algae on top of the reefs. Today we can only see half of green reef near the water and the rest shows only brown rock. It is not only destroying the beautiful natural green color cover on the reef, but it is also dangerous to walk on these slippery algae-covered rocks. Global warming also threatens the site because the algae are very sensitive to the high temperature.
Make sure that you come in the right months and know the correct low-tide hours of the day in order to observe this marvelous scenery. It is one of the many natural types of scenery along the north coast of Taiwan. The nearby new parking lots really help the traffic in this small town and make it a pleasant visit to this natural wonder. Nearby you also visit the northernmost Fugui Cape Lighthouse (富貴角燈塔) which is located on the nearby hill and the Fuji Harbor (富基漁港) for lunch or dinner.
More photos please click here
James Huang - All rights reserved.
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