aeeble

The potholes of the Keelung River are a world-class geographical landscape. Usually found in the upper reaches of a river, they are formed when a strong, sediment-laden eddy drills into the riverbed; the swirling water carves circular holes over time, and these are called potholes. Between Houtong and Sandiaoling stations on the Pingxi branch line in Ruifang District, the Keelung River has cut into the hard Nuannuan Sandstone, leaving many smooth, rounded cavities on the rock surface—potholes in geomorphological terms—creating the Keelung River pothole scenery. The most easily accessible place to view them is in Ruifang’s Houtong. From the steps beneath the Wengzitan Bridge outside the Houtong Coal Mine Museum Park visitor center, walk about 1,700 m upstream along the revetment; the one-way trip takes roughly 30 minutes and leads to the Houtong potholes that locals nickname “the dimples of the stone.” Alternatively, after leaving Houtong Railway Station, follow Houtong Road upstream along the Keelung River and you will also see the pothole landscape.