Keelung: Heping Island Geopark Entry Ticket

Heping Island Geopark gives you some of northern Taiwan’s most unusual coastal scenery for just $3.80 per person. Elephant Rock, Mushroom Rock, and Candlestick Rock were shaped by wind, waves, and time, so the park feels less like a standard seaside walk and more like an open-air geology lesson.

I like the simple QR-code entry and the freedom of a full-day ticket. I also like the mix of short walks, dramatic rock forms, fossils, plants, and sea views. The main catch is that this ticket does not include restricted areas or Alabao Bay, and it does not include an audio guide.

Key points to know before you go

• Elephant Rock, Mushroom Rock, and Candlestick Rock: These are the park’s signature natural formations, shaped by long-term erosion.
• A full day for $3.80: The ticket gives you time to walk at an easy pace rather than rushing through the park.
• Seasonal opening hours: The park stays open until 7 p.m. from May through October, but closes at 6 p.m. from November through April.
• Outdoor pools have shorter hours: Pool access ends at 6 p.m. in the warmer season and 5 p.m. in the cooler season.
• Educational value: Heping Island is recognized as a UNESCO World Geopark and offers programs, lectures, workshops, and field trips.
• QR code redemption: Show your code at the ticket counter to receive the physical entry ticket.

Why Heping Island is more than a photo stop

Heping Island Geopark sits in Keelung City on the northern coast of Taiwan. Its appeal comes from geology you can see with your own eyes: layers of rock, hollows cut by the sea, unusual shapes, fossils, and cliffs formed through natural erosion.

I like places where the scenery also explains itself. Here, the rocks are not just backdrops for photographs. They show how the coast changes over long periods, with softer sections wearing away faster than harder sections. That process creates the odd shapes that give the park its character.

The park covers about 71 hectares, so this is not simply a single lookout beside the road. You can follow walking routes, stop at viewpoints, look for plant and animal life, and spend time along the coast. The exact amount of walking depends on how much of the park you explore, but the one-day validity gives you useful flexibility.

The setting also gives you a clear sense of northern Taiwan’s coastal character. You get open sea, exposed rock, changing shorelines, and a strong feeling of the weather at work. On a clear day, the views are the main event. On a gray day, the rock textures and sea-eroded details become even more important.

Entering with a QR code at the Keelung ticket counter

The entry process is refreshingly plain. Present your QR code at the ticket counter, and you receive a physical Heping Island Geopark ticket. A verified January 2026 booking reported no trouble at the entrance and described the process as a basic scan, so you should not need a complicated check-in.

Keep the QR code ready on your phone. The ticket is valid for one day, and the attraction operates during set seasonal hours:

• From May 1 through October 31, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last entry is at 6 p.m.
• From November 1 through April 30, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last entry is at 5 p.m.

The seasonal difference matters. If you are visiting between November and April, arriving late in the afternoon leaves less time for the trails and coastal viewpoints. From May through October, you have a longer evening window, although the outdoor pools still close one hour before the park.

The ticket itself covers entry to Heping Island Geopark. Souvenirs, photographs, and audio guide hire are not included, so budget separately if you want those extras.

Reading the rock formations along the coast

The best reason to visit is the collection of distinctive rock formations. Elephant Rock, Mushroom Rock, and Candlestick Rock are the names to look for, each shaped by natural erosion rather than construction or decoration.

Elephant Rock is an especially useful example of how the sea can carve familiar forms from hard coastal material. Mushroom Rock shows a different profile, with erosion producing a narrow-looking base and broader upper section. Candlestick Rock has its own upright shape. The appeal is not only the outline, but the chance to notice how rock layers and weathering create these forms.

I recommend slowing down at each landmark. Take the obvious photograph, then look at the surrounding stone. You might find smaller grooves, holes, cracks, and worn surfaces that show the same forces at a more modest scale.

The coastline is also a good place to think about time. A wave does not need to make a dramatic change in one visit. Its work becomes visible across thousands of years. That makes the geopark valuable for families and curious adults who want more from a scenic walk than a quick picture.

The park’s geology includes sea erosion landforms and fossils. Fossils add another layer to the experience because they connect the present shore with life from an earlier period. The supplied information does not specify exactly which fossils you will see or where they are located, so treat them as part of the park’s educational interest rather than a guaranteed close-up exhibit.

Walking trails, plants, animals, and open sea

Heping Island includes hiking trails that let you move beyond one central viewpoint. I like this kind of layout because you can shape the visit around your energy and attention. Walk farther when the weather is comfortable, or keep things shorter and focus on the main formations.

The trails also give you a chance to notice the park’s living side. The area supports a range of plants and animals, including species endemic to the region. You may find that the plant life changes the way the rocks look, softening some views and emphasizing others.

The information provided does not list trail lengths, difficulty ratings, or specific species. That means you should not plan around a precise hiking target. Instead, think of the ticket as access to a coastal park where walking, viewing, and learning fit together.

This is a particularly good choice if you want to add a nature-focused stop to time in Keelung. The park is in northern Taiwan, but the experience is not based on a guided ride or a tight schedule. You can set your own pace and spend more time at the formations that interest you most.

One practical caution: coastal areas can feel more exposed than an ordinary urban park. Follow the park’s entry notices and outdoor pool notices. Stay within permitted areas, especially because some sections are restricted.

What the UNESCO Geopark status adds

Heping Island is recognized as a UNESCO World Geopark. That label matters because the park is valued not only for scenery, but also for its geology, educational role, and connection to conservation.

You do not need to be a geology specialist to benefit from that focus. The formations give you something concrete to study. Instead of memorizing technical terms, you can compare different rock shapes and ask why one section eroded faster than another.

The park offers educational programs, guided tours, workshops, lectures, and field trips. The entry ticket does not state that a guide or program is automatically included, so check the current schedule if organized learning is important to you. The audio guide is also an extra hire, not part of admission.

That distinction helps set expectations. This is an entrance ticket, not a private tour. You get the freedom of independent exploration, but you should not expect a guide to explain every formation unless you arrange an eligible program separately.

For many people, that is a fair trade. At $3.80, the ticket leaves room in your budget for other Keelung activities, while the park itself supplies the setting for your own walk and discovery.

Outdoor pools and the limits of admission

Heping Island has outdoor pools, but pool hours are separate from the main park schedule. From May 1 through October 31, the outdoor pools are open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. From November 1 through April 30, they are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Plan around those times rather than assuming the pools remain open until the park closes. In the warmer season, you have one extra hour in the park after pool access ends. In the cooler season, both the park and pools close earlier.

The ticket information does not explain pool facilities, water conditions, changing areas, or whether pool use has any separate rules. Follow the posted outdoor pool notices when you arrive. If swimming is the main reason you are coming, confirm the current conditions before booking.

Admission also does not include restricted access or Alabao Bay. This is an important limit. A general park ticket does not mean every part of the wider site is open to you, so follow signs and staff instructions rather than trying to reach excluded areas.

Who gets the best value from this ticket

I would choose Heping Island Geopark if I wanted a low-cost, flexible stop in Keelung with strong visual interest. It suits:

• Families who can turn the rock formations into an informal science lesson
• Photographers looking for unusual coastal shapes
• Visitors interested in fossils, erosion, plants, and local wildlife
• People who prefer independent walks over scheduled group tours
• Anyone with a full day or several free hours in northern Taiwan
• Visitors who want an accessible attraction, since the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible

The ticket may be less suitable if you want a full guided experience with transportation, detailed commentary, or guaranteed access to every nearby attraction. There is no guide included, and audio guide hire costs extra.

It is also worth choosing your timing carefully. Early arrival gives you the most time, especially during the November to April schedule. If you arrive close to last entry, you will have less time to walk and may need to skip the pools or farther viewpoints.

Children under six enter free with an ID card. For families with young children, that can make an already inexpensive outing even better, provided you bring the required identification.

Is $3.80 a fair price?

Yes, for most people. The price is low enough that the ticket works as a sensible addition to a Keelung day rather than a major commitment. You get one-day access to a sizable coastal park with named geological formations, trails, fossils, plants, animals, educational value, and outdoor pools.

The value depends on how long you stay. If you only walk in, take one photograph, and leave, the ticket still costs very little, but you will miss the main advantage of the one-day validity. Give yourself enough time to view the major formations, follow some trails, and read or join any educational material available during your visit.

The price does not cover souvenirs, photographs, or audio guide hire. Those exclusions are easy to understand for a basic admission ticket, but remember them if you want a more supported or packaged experience.

Booking, cancellation, and accessibility in practical terms

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Taiwan plans are still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Since no detailed information is provided about every trail, rock viewpoint, or pool area, check the park’s current access notices if you need a specific route or facility.

The experience is supplied by Fontrip. No guide name is provided because this is a self-guided admission ticket rather than a tour led by a named person.

Should you book Heping Island Geopark?

Book it if you want a cheap, flexible way to see northern Taiwan’s unusual coast. The QR-code entry is straightforward, the one-day validity gives you breathing room, and the rock formations provide a clear reason to visit rather than a generic seaside walk.

I would skip it only if your schedule allows no time for walking, or if you require a fully guided experience with every nearby area included. For everyone else, $3.80 is a small price for a substantial coastal outing, especially if you enjoy geology, photography, family-friendly nature stops, or places where the scenery also teaches you something.

FAQ

Where is Heping Island Geopark located?

Heping Island Geopark is in Keelung City in northern Taiwan.

How much does the entrance ticket cost?

The ticket costs $3.80 per person.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day.

How do I redeem the ticket?

Present your QR code at the ticket counter to receive a physical entry ticket.

What are the park’s opening hours from May through October?

From May 1 through October 31, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last entry is at 6 p.m.

What are the park’s opening hours from November through April?

From November 1 through April 30, the park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last entry is at 5 p.m.

What are the outdoor pool hours?

From May 1 through October 31, the outdoor pools are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. From November 1 through April 30, they are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Do children under six need to pay?

Children under six receive free admission when they present an ID card.

Does the ticket include Alabao Bay and restricted areas?

No. Admission does not include restricted access or Alabao Bay.

Is the park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is an audio guide included?

No. Audio guide hire is not included.