Taiwan's iconic photo spot gone! Famous Elephant rock collapses, see before-after pic

Tourists heading to Taiwan, we have some bad news. The iconic Elephant Trunk Rock, which was a major photo spot in the country is now gone. While tourists have been not allowed near the spot since 2020, the rock eroded further and finally broke off. The famous spot got its name from the rock that looks like an Elephant's trunk.

Taiwan's famous Elephant rock no more

Elephant Trunk Rock collapsed due to strong waves and winds, according to New Taipei's Ruifang District Office. The partial collapse was probably caused by the weather conditions, as well as long-term seawater erosion. To protect the tourists and the rock, the district office had set up a warning line in 2020. The warning prevented visitors from climbing on the rock formation. New Taipei's Tourism and Travel Department has also issued a warning to tourists and told them to stay away for their safety.

Shen Chuan-chou, a professor in the Department of Geosciences at National Taiwan University, told Taiwan’s official Central News Agency that it was “natural” for the rock to collapse.

Where was the rock exactly located?

The Elephant Trunk Rock was located about 10 kilometers (six miles) from the popular tourist area of Jiufen northeast of Taipei. It collapsed on December 15.

Also read: Thailand eliminates visa for Indian tourists until May 2024; get more details inside