Caoshan Moon World

Caoshan Moon World in Zuozhen District, Tainan City, is a badland topography composed of sandstone and shale. It forms a continuous stretch with the mudstone badlands of Neimen, Tianliao, and Yanchao Districts in Kaohsiung City, collectively known as 'chalk badlands' topography. Due to the high alkalinity of the chalk soil, vegetation struggles to grow. When dry, it's as hard as stone; when wet, it softens into mud. Erosion by rainwater and the carving action of streams create a unique landscape of half-sided mountains, deep valleys, meandering rivers, and cliffs. In this harsh terrain, only the most resilient vegetation can survive. Therefore, across thousands of hectares here, what you mostly see are thorny bamboo and weeds, with the rest being barren and desolate, making it the most typical 'Moon World' topography. On the road from Ganglin Village to Caoshan Moon World, the journey is characterized by distinct, angular landscapes and lush green thorny bamboo. With the changes of seasons and the shifts from dawn to dusk, Caoshan Moon World also presents different facets: on clear mornings, standing at the highest point, 308 meters above sea level, one can enjoy the sunrise and multi-layered cloud formations. In winter, the thorny bamboo gradually turns yellowish-brown, then red in the following spring. March to April each year is the best time to observe the thorny bamboo changing color. The expansive landscape of Moon World evokes a sense of 'ten thousand mountains bowing,' making it an ideal spot for enjoying sunsets and night views. The overlapping, interconnected chalk peaks and the magnificent Moon World topography are unique geographical features of Zuozhen. Getting out of the car and gazing into the distance, you'll see a vast expanse of lush green plains and fields ahead, as if you are looking from the moon towards Earth – truly a spectacular sight.