Ninety-four entrants submitted 121 photos of the iconic Taiwan landmark situated roughly 60 kilometers north of Taipei City. Winners of the three categories—classic, intimate and nostalgia—were announced Sept. 30.
Yu Man-li claimed the classic prize for a photo taken in 1970. She included her mother in the shot, which took on greater significance as the 95-year-old is the oldest living person to feature in one of the competition’s photos. And Shih Fang-yu won the intimate award for a photo she took in 1965 showing her newlywed parents.
Xiao Jin-yi picked up the nostalgia gong for her photo snapped more than half a century ago. The well-preserved shot is a standout for its perfect lighting and clarity, showcasing the beauty of woman dressed in fashionable 1960s attire against the mesmerizing qualities of Queen’s Head.
The mushroom rock is suffering from the adverse effects of weather, with erosion reducing the circumference of it thinnest area from 1.44 meters in 2006 to 1.26 meters last year.
According to the NCGSAA, a three-year study by National Taiwan University indicates that nanotechnology-based reinforcement could extend the life of Queen’s Head. If the repair process is given the green light, the rock formation is believed to be capable of withstanding typhoons with a gale force of 17 and earthquakes of magnitude 7.
Queen’s Head is the most spectacular sight in Yehliu and often rated a top national tourist draw. Over the past 4,000 years, differential erosion by the sea and the wind has given the rock its unique shape, which is said to resemble Queen Elizabeth II from certain angles. (SSC-JSM)
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