Congratulations Guanyin Caota Sand Dunes (觀音 草 漯 沙丘) has been recognized as Taiwan's next geopark in June 2020
Caota Sand Dunes, nicknamed as Taiwan’s Sahara stretches for 8.1 kilometers in length feature the widest and most complete "desert" along Taiwan's coast. After applying for recognition of the site as a geological park in 2018, in June 2020, the application was approved. Environmental conservation group the Taiwan Environmental Information Association has listed the dunes as one of nine coastal sites nationwide that warrant preservation. Therefore, recognition as a geological park would help conserve a 284 hectare section of Taoyuan’s coastline between Guanyin and Dayuan (大園) districts.
This area takes shape because sand blown by strong northeast monsoon and south wind keeps piling up here. The Northeast – Southwest sand dunes begin in the north near the mouth of Laojie Creek in Dayuan District and end in the south near the mouth of Dajue River in Guanyin District. The width in the northern part is about 400 meters and could be 600 meters in the southern part. Over thousands of years, the dunes have covered 4 square kilometers. Because the sand dunes could be 15 meters high, we recommend climbing up to the ridgeline on a zigzag path and the scenery that comes into sight would be amazing and rewarding.
Caota Sand Dunes, nicknamed as Taiwan’s Sahara stretches for 8.1 kilometers in length feature the widest and most complete "desert" along Taiwan's coast. After applying for recognition of the site as a geological park in 2018, in June 2020, the application was approved. Environmental conservation group the Taiwan Environmental Information Association has listed the dunes as one of nine coastal sites nationwide that warrant preservation. Therefore, recognition as a geological park would help conserve a 284 hectare section of Taoyuan’s coastline between Guanyin and Dayuan (大園) districts.
This area takes shape because sand blown by strong northeast monsoon and south wind keeps piling up here. The Northeast – Southwest sand dunes begin in the north near the mouth of Laojie Creek in Dayuan District and end in the south near the mouth of Dajue River in Guanyin District. The width in the northern part is about 400 meters and could be 600 meters in the southern part. Over thousands of years, the dunes have covered 4 square kilometers. Because the sand dunes could be 15 meters high, we recommend climbing up to the ridgeline on a zigzag path and the scenery that comes into sight would be amazing and rewarding.
The wind turbines on the seashore of the Caota Sand Dunes (Photo: https://travel.tycg.gov.tw/en/travel/attraction/1443)Once selected by Taiwan Environmental Information Association as one of the "nine coastal areas that should be protected in Taiwan," the Caota area is a coastal zone without manmade damage. (Another selected one in Taoyuan is Guanxin Algal Reefs.) In addition to the coral reef ecosystem, the Caota Sand Dunes have a species-rich coastal forest ecosystem. The windbreak plants, including screw pine, horsetail tree, chinaberry tree, cuscuta and firewheel flower, not only prevent wind erosion, but also decorate the coastline.
Caota sand dunes (photo by Dr Mu-Kuan Tsai)
The area would be split into three sections from a conservation management perspective, comprising a core area with fully formed dunes, a restoration section and a regular section. The core section would be accessible only for research and environmental education, to preserve its form, while the regular section would be open to the public and be accessible for recreation purposes.
Here is one of the most popular places to check in on Facebook and Instagram. At sunset, wind turbines on the seashore for electricity generation stand in line against the blue sky. Traces of disarrayed footsteps on undulating sand dunes lead to a feeling of tranquility and desolation, attracting a lot of masters of photography and Internet memes to visit. The movie "Secret" starring Jay Chou and the TV series "Police et vous" were both filmed here.
Tourists are recommended to take Provincial Highway No. 61 and go from north to south to visit Caota Sand Dunes Geopark and other ecotourism attractions in Taoyuan: Xucuogang Wetland, Guanxin Algal Reefs and Xinwu Stone Weirs.