Located at New Taipei City’s Wanli District in northern Taiwan, Camel Mountain is a wide array of amazing rock formations with spectacular textures.
History of Camel Mountain
Since the silhouette of the peak of a small hill resembles a dromedary camel, the rocky hill is called Camel Mountain. Many people in the area then regard Camel Mountain as a symbolic guardian that protects the nearby fishing villages.
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Please watch the following video of “Amazing Rock Formations with Spectacular Textures.”
The small peak of Camel Mountain overlooks the fairway leading to the entrance of Keelung Harbor. This rocky peak was excavated by the military to serve as a military bunker. Today, many visitors have photos taken in front of the shooting holes inside the bunker.
Natural gateway
Camel Mountain and the adjacent hills used to be a complete array of rocky outcrops protruding into the ocean. Unfortunately, they were divided into two parts due to road construction.
After separation, the steep cliffs on the two sides naturally formed a gateway to the nearby Dongao Fishing Port and Yehliu Peninsula. With constant erosion and weathering by northeastern monsoons, the rust-colored cliffs emerge as breathtaking sculptures created by Mother Nature.
Venus Coast
Spanning approximately 3 kilometers (1.8 miles), the spectacular stretch of the coastal road, from the Guihou Fishing Port to Camel Mountain and the Dongao Fishing Port, is referred to as the Venus Coast of Taiwan. It was also voted the most beautiful stretch of coast in Taiwan in 2010.
This coastal stretch is a tranquil location where visitors can marvel at the beautiful Pacific Ocean vista, the mysterious Keelung Islet in the distance, and vibrant textures on rock formations on the shore.
The beehive rocks, tofu rocks (chessboard rocks), ocean erosion ditches, marine potholes, and unique ecological phenomena are the result of the constant wave erosion and weathering over millions of years.
There is a 700-meter-long well-maintained path along the coast for visitors to hike and take in the natural wonders on the seashore. Visitors can also enjoy freshly cooked seafood at reasonable prices in the famous fishery market next to the Guihou Fishing Port.
Characteristics of the rock formations
The rock formations around Camel Mountain are Daliao sandstone (大寮層砂岩). They formed in the shallow sea environment approximately 19-20 million years ago. What impresses visitors the most here are the amazing weathering rings (風化紋) with their various patterns and vibrant colors. They were created by differential erosion between the softer original rock material and the harder iron oxide periodically redeposited.
Joints (節理) can be easily spotted in the rocks in this area. Though joints may extend in various directions, what can be seen here are mostly vertical ones. With intersections at different angles, they create unique textures.
Although the scenery around Camel Mountain is majestic, many tourists only get a glimpse of the beauty there when driving by on their way to the nearby Yehliu Geopark. It is worthwhile to pause and take some time to appreciate the exquisite textures on the rock formations at Camel Mountain and along Venus Coast.
