Tianliao Moon World Tourist Information Center — Local services in Kaohsiung

Tianliao Moon World is a tract of barren land between Chongde Village and Gutin Village of Tianliao District. It has a dreary and desolate beauty of desert and is famous for its similarity to the landscape of the Moon surface.

This queer terrain is called "badlands" in geography an adverse landscape caused by the strong erosion of rain and streams over the years due to "rejuvenation" of the earth's crust. The Tianliao Moon World sits in the valley of a small tributary of Erren River and used to have a dam for sediment storage to store water in the rain season. The sight of it was called "yue-jing-nong-tang" (Farm Pond on the Moon). However, the dam (farm pond) has been washed away over approximately a decade of time with the continuous scour of rain.

Apart from the eye-catching Chinese-style "Lan-Yue-Lou" (Moon Take Multistory Building) standing in the proximity of the Moon World for visitors to rest and appreciate the sight, there are also Rihyue Temple, Fongyue Temple, Nihuo Spring (fire on mud spring), peculiar scenery, and a camping area for visitors.

Tropical badlands, hills of easily eroding material that makes the landscape look so unique that you must think that it's on the moon. It's definitely a strange landscape especially for Taiwan, and is worth a visit. You can also see some nearby mud hot springs.

Geological History: Moon World is part of a stretch of badlands that cover a large swath of southern Taiwan near the central mountain range. Typical badlands are found in dryer climates, are composed of sedimentary rocks, typically have very little vegetation, and have deep valleys or ravines. The badlands in Taiwan are unique in that they are in a tropical rain forest. How is this possible?

The rocks at Moon World are composed of mudstone, sandstone, shale, and chalk. Because of high alkaline levels due to chalk in the soil, trees and grass cannot grow, and basically the only plant that can grow in the soil is spiny bamboo. The lack of vegetation as well as high rainfall gives way to quick eroding hills, or badlands. The Caoshan River also helped to carve out the landscape...

Feels as if one big rain fall will change this delicate, unique landscape. The ridges are tall yet they crumble at the touch. The geographical term for the land formation is ‘badlands,’ caused by rainfall and erosion of the desert-like soil.

Park is about 75% complete. Signs will direct you to the areas that are open. Be careful if you wander around the construction sites, you may find tools and ropes scattered around.

The park takes about 1.5 hours to walk around and take photos of. There is a base lake that takes 20-30 minutes to walk around at the bottom. If you are feeling more adventurous, hike above the lake for incredible views of this moon-like land. Sunset time is the best time to go.

There are clean bathrooms behind the lake with toilet paper and soap. At the entrance, plenty of vendors sell quick bites of food, fruit and also waters/sodas.

If you are seeking transportation, best to rent a car (must have international driver’s license) or pay a taxi double to take you up and wait for you while you hike, then drive you back to Kaohsiung. Takes 30-40 minutes without traffic to get there.

Take water with you as you hike. Lots of stairs to trek...

I had a tough time trying to take the public buses over since the timing are not exactly accurate. So after missing out twice, I decided to take a uber over and this is the landmark to look for if you are visiting tianliao moon world.

**Please don't fall for the driver asking you to book them for the whole day. They do that because its difficult to find passengers back to city area.

This information centre itself has a small air condition shop, an information counter, some common seating area and a public washroom.

As for tianliao itself, its a beautiful outdoor landscape which I enjoy walking around. It will take you probably an hour or two to enjoy the whole area. I visited during a non festive weekday and I love it as there is close to nobody so I can enjoy my me time here.

**Please take note of the bus timetable when returning to city area as uber/taxi may not be easily available in this area especially during non...