Yangmingshan & Yehliu private tour: Volcanic views, rock formations

Volcanic steam vents and wind-carved rock formations in one half-day loop

A private half-day tour from Taipei to Yangmingshan National Park and Yehliu Geopark with a driver-guide, vehicle, parking fees and bottled water included. You're picked up at your hotel, driven to the park's two main stops (Qingtiangang Grassland and Xiaoyoukeng volcanic area), then on to Yehliu's geological formations, with the guide controlling the pace and timing throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Yangmingshan National Park30m
2. Yehliu Geopark1h · entry included

Explore Yangmingshan and Yehliu Geopark

• Meet driver-guide at hotel lobby
• Travel to Yangmingshan National Park
• Visit Qingtiangang Grassland
• Explore Xiaoyoukeng Recreation Area
• Visit Yehliu Geopark geological formations
• Return to hotel or preferred Taipei spot

The experience

Your driver-guide meets you at the hotel lobby holding a sign with your name, then heads north out of Taipei toward Yangmingshan. The elevation climbs to 700–1,000 meters, so the air cools noticeably as the city recedes. On the way up, you might spot Formosan macaques moving through the forest. They're common here and often visible from the road. The main stops are Qingtiangang Grassland and Xiaoyoukeng, the two attractions that anchor the park visit.

Qingtiangang is a broad, flat grassland at about 800 meters where wild water buffalo graze openly across the slopes. The views stretch across the surrounding ridges, and because of the altitude, clouds and mist often roll through, giving the place a shifting, ethereal quality. It's the kind of spot where you can walk at your own pace or simply stand and look. Xiaoyoukeng sits on the northwestern corner of Mt. Qixing and is a post-volcanic area where you can see steam vents and smell sulfur from active volcanic activity: no long hikes required, just a viewing platform where the geology is on display. The contrast between the grassland's openness and the volcanic geology's rawness is what makes the two stops work together.

From there, the route drops back down and heads to Yehliu Geopark on the northern coast. This is an open, windswept headland carved by sea and weather into dozens of rock formations. The Queen's Head is the most famous, but you'll also see Sea Candles, Fairy Shoe, Ginger Rocks and Princess' Head. The park has almost no shelter, so weather matters: winter brings a cold northeast monsoon, summer sun is intense. Bring sun protection or an umbrella and stay hydrated. After Yehliu, the driver takes you back to your hotel or another Taipei location you choose.

What’s included

• Personal driver-guide in English.
• private air-conditioned vehicle.
• parking fees and tolls.
• passenger insurance.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 07:30, 08:30, 09:30 and 10:30

AgesAdult (12 to 89 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by YOLO Taiwan

Is this one for you?Six hours is enough to see both parks and return to Taipei without a full day commitment, which works if you have a free afternoon or are arriving early and want to explore before settling into the city. The private vehicle and driver mean you're not waiting for group departures or following a fixed schedule. You control when to linger at Qingtiangang or move on to Yehliu.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

What's the Queen's Head and why is Yehliu Geopark famous for it?

The Queen's Head is Yehliu's most iconic rock formation, a distinctive geological shape carved by wind and sea erosion. Yehliu Geopark is one of northern Taiwan's premier destinations because it holds a collection of these unique formations (Sea Candles, Fairy Shoe, Ginger Rocks and Princess' Head among them) all shaped by the same natural forces over time.

Will I see wildlife on this tour?

Yes. Formosan macaques are common on the way into Yangmingshan and often visible from the road. At Qingtiangang Grassland, wild water buffalo graze openly across the slopes, and you can watch them at leisure.

How much walking is involved?

Walking is light and self-paced. Qingtiangang Grassland is flat and open, so you walk as much or as little as you want. Xiaoyoukeng is set up as a viewing platform, so you don't need to cover long distances to see the volcanic features. Yehliu Geopark is an open area where you move between rock formations at your own pace.

What should I wear or bring for this tour?

Bring sun protection (hat, sunscreen, or an umbrella) especially in summer when the sun is intense. In winter, the northeast monsoon can feel cold and chilly, so dress in layers. Yehliu Geopark has almost no shelter, so hydration is important. Bottled water is included, but bring more if you prefer.

Does the tour include entry fees to the parks?

Parking fees and tolls are included. Entry fees to Yangmingshan National Park and Yehliu Geopark are not listed as included and should be confirmed at checkout.

Can I customize the stops or timing on this private tour?

Yes. Because it's a private tour, you have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary: spend more time at one stop, skip another, or change the order. Your driver-guide can work with your preferences within the half-day window.