Travel Date: 2024/04/05
* It was pretty long post, thus I separated it into 2 parts - check out part 1 - LINK *
Check out also our first day travel, where we visited Shoushan Zoo and Zuoying Old Town
It's the first day of our 3-day, 2-night trip to Kaohsiung. Interestingly, it happened to be just 2 days after the strongest earthquake in 25 years struck Hualien, but most of the places we planned to visit are in the mountains. The earthquake's impact wasn't as significant here, considering the distance and the relatively small size of the mountains. Surprisingly, we encountered plenty of people traveling here as well, showing that life goes on despite natural events.
During our trip, we revisited some places that we had seen 4 years ago, and they were vastly different from before.
New Yangnyu Mud Pond (新養女湖)
As I was about to search for our last destination on Google Maps, I stumbled upon a new place—a truly recent discovery, as we learned it had only been around for just over a year: the New Yangnyu Mud Pond. Located in the Yanchao District, which boasts the highest density of mud volcanoes in Taiwan, this new attraction offers a unique experience for visitors.
Adjacent to the "Wushanding Mud Volcano Nature Reserve," the discovery of "Xinyangnu Lake" occurred at the end of 2022. This discovery has added to the geological wonders of the area, further enhancing its appeal.
Yangnu Lake is distinguished by its distinctive sounds—the release of gases creates a bubbling reminiscent of boiling hot water—as mud is sprayed into the air.
At the entrance, visitors are given newspapers, and they have the opportunity to set the mud pool on fire.
You can also purchase something I've never seen in other places: eggs cooked in the local mud.
If you're wondering, the eggs tasted just like any normal boiled eggs, so there was nothing unique added to the flavor. Additionally, there are popsicles and honey available for purchase.
Wushanding Mud Volcano Natural Reserve (烏山頂泥火山自然保留區)
Our last stop before heading to Kaohsiung City was the Wushanding Mud Volcano Natural Reserve (烏山頂泥火山自然保留區) located nearby. Before entering the reserve area, it's necessary to fill out an application form for entry.
Protected since 1992 as part of Taiwan's smallest nature reserve (less than 5 hectares in area), the mud volcano found here is the largest and most impressive among others scattered around Taiwan. This area is the most densely populated with mud volcanoes in Taiwan and is also the most developed area for the mud cone. Due to the spectacular and highly active nature of the cone-shaped mud volcano, the Wushanding Mud Volcano was designated as a natural reserve.
The place has also changed a lot over the years. Here is a picture from 2019 to compare. There was also a free guide available when we visited that explained how the mud volcanoes form and talked about the fauna and flora of the area.
Mud volcanoes do not produce lava and are not necessarily driven by magmatic activity. The mud produced by mud volcanoes is mostly formed from hot water that has been heated deep below the Earth's surface, mixed and blended with subterranean mineral deposits. The temperature of the mud volcano in the area is about 25 degrees Celsius.
Kaohsiung City
At the end of our journey, we drove to Kaohsiung City and found accommodation in one of the budget-friendly options around 85 Sky Tower. It's always a bit challenging to find a hotel last minute, especially without breaking the bank on those crazy expensive ones.
After settling in, we took a leisurely walk to the nearby harbor and decided to dine at an Indian restaurant in the area. It turned out to be such a fun time, reminding me why I enjoy Kaohsiung so much and how much I missed visiting the area.
Deep down, I couldn't help but hope that my husband could change jobs and we could move back to the south. However, I realize that it's not an easy decision, at least not in the near future. Nonetheless, our time in Kaohsiung was a wonderful reminder of the charm and allure of southern Taiwan.
Address:
1. New Yangyu Mud Pond: 824高雄市燕巢區新養女湖
2. Wushanding Mud Volcano Natural Reserve: 824高雄市燕巢區深水段183之8號
3. India Food: 802高雄市苓雅區新光路50號
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