Chufire Natural Gas Flame Area is a natural gas phenomenon on the eastern outskirts of Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, where gas seeping continuously through fissures in mudstone and shale layers ignites on contact with air, forming permanent ground-level flames. The Qing-era Hengchun County Gazetteer already recorded this curiosity, showing it has been known since ancient times.
Chufire's geology consists of interbedded mudstone, shale, and sandy shale layers; underground natural gas (primarily methane) seeps to the surface through fissures as a low-pressure, low-flow type of gas leak. The flame area covers a few square meters with flame heights of up to several tens of centimeters and burns almost smokelessly. The phenomenon was already recorded in the Qing-era Hengchun County Gazetteer.
What to see at the Chufire Natural Gas Flame Area
The geology at Chufire belongs to the Gutingkeng Mudstone formation of Hengchun Peninsula. Biogenic natural gas (primarily methane) stored underground escapes upward along fault fissures and burns upon contact with air. The flames are usually stable but not tall. The most spectacular display occurs during the Luoshanfeng — the seasonal downslope wind unique to Hengchun: the strong wind disperses the gas, and flames spread in a broad swath along low ground fissures, creating a rare spectacle of interconnected ground fires. The Luoshanfeng season runs roughly from October through April.
The site has a wooden boardwalk encircling the flame zone. Visitors can observe up close but must not cross the barriers, and bringing flammable materials near the flames is strictly prohibited. The area is an open-air viewing site with different visual character by day and night: daytime reveals shimmering heat waves; at night the flames are far more visible against the darkness. Many visitors choose to arrive after dusk, when the blue-hour sky combined with the ground fire creates a popular photography moment.
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and time needed
- Located on the eastern outskirts of Hengchun Township; self-driving is the main option. About 10 minutes from central Hengchun, with parking available at the entrance.
- The viewing area is open around the clock with no admission fee. The best viewing window is from dusk through nighttime.
- Bus coverage is limited; driving or taking a taxi is recommended, then using other transportation back from Hengchun.
Nearby connections
- Hengchun Old Town preserves one of the most complete Qing-era city walls in Taiwan and is about 10 minutes away — a natural pairing for a walk along the walls.
- Kenting Main Street and Maobitou Park are also in the area, making a full Hengchun Peninsula day loop easy to plan.
Source: Kenting National Park Management Office, Central Geological Survey. Geological phenomenon descriptions are drawn from publicly available geological data. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Chufire flame phenomenon form?
Natural gas seeps to the surface through fissures in mudstone and shale layers and ignites on contact with air, forming permanent ground-level flames.
When was the Chufire phenomenon first recorded?
It was already documented in the Qing-era Hengchun County Gazetteer, showing it has been known since ancient times.
How large are the Chufire flames?
The flame area covers a few square meters, with flame heights of up to several tens of centimeters, and burns almost smokelessly.
Sources
- 出火特別景觀區 — 墾丁國家公園管理處官方資訊，地質成因與歷史記載
- 出火 (屏東) - 維基百科 — 地質構造與清代恆春縣志記載