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Sightseeing and Attractions

Penghy Country

HOW TO GET THERE
 

Like pearls scattering in the East Sea, the Penghu archipelago is located in the southwest of the Taiwan Strait. The location is between Chiai county and Kinmen county, facing Taiwan on the east, and Fuchien Province on the west, linking Matsu archipelago, Tachen island and Choushan archipelago on the north, and Tungsha islands and Nansha islands on the south. Located midway between Taiwan and Mainland China in the Taiwan Strait, Penghu possesses an important geographical position. The Penghu archipelago consists of near one hundred islands. The land area totals about 127 square kilometers. The Makung Island (including Makung City and Hushi) is the largest island in the archipelago, followed by Hsiyu, Baisha. Only 20 islands are inhabited. The Penghu archipelago, lying in the middle of the Taiwan Strait, is the only island whose coastlines are formed of basalt magma. It is the hometown of sea and wind as well as basalt.


NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

• Penghu National Scenic Area
  All of the islands in Penghu have a similar terrain, and most of them are flat. The highest point is Cat Islet. Clear seawater, pure beaches and beautiful skies make Penghu a favorite ocean resort area.Both a Kuroshio tributary current (during summer), and Mainland China's coastal current (during winter) pass through the Penghu sea territory. Because of this the marine life in this area is very rich, making Penghu an outstanding classroom for marine biology. During the migration season, all kinds of birds pass through this area. Tourists can often see beautiful views of hunting seagulls, and the 200-plus different bird species here. This makes Penghu an excellent location for bird watching.Tourists can also came to Penghu for fishing and snorkeling; they can take boats and travel around the neighboring islands to enjoy the sea views and savor a wonderful vacation at sea.
  
  Penghu shows its uniqueness in its cultural resources, thanks to the influences of its environment as well as Chinese culture and history. Many religious activities take place in Penghu; among 97 villages and towns in the islands, there are 183 temples. The ones with the longest history include the Tienhou, Wusheng, City God, and Paoan Temples, and the Kuanyin Pavilion. There are also many important sites with great historical value. These include the during the Ching Dynasty, such as the Shuihsien, Tungshan, and Tipao Temples. Penghu is famous for seafood such as groupers, abalone, lobsters, clams, and shellfish. Peanuts, sponge gourds, and cantaloupes are the main agricultural products. The best-known mineral is the veined stone, which is found only here and in Italy. The veined stones of Penghu are very famous for their color and quality, which is recognized as being the best in the world. Many arts and crafts stores can be found in the city of Makong, where tourists can find inexpensive and beautiful artworks carved from various kinds of stone
   

FARM / SCENERY

• Magong
  The most heavily populated, most bustling place in all of the Penghu Islands is the city of Magong, located on the main island of Penghu itself. In addition to being a jumping-off place for trips to the other islands, it also boasts a high concentration of cultural, scenic, and historic sites. Among the most popular of the tourist spots in the city are the old Zhongyang Street and the earliest well on which the first settlers depended for their vital water supply, Four-Eyed Well, as well as the first Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) temple in Taiwan, the Queen of Heaven Temple. The oldest construction methods in the Taiwan area were used in building this temple, which was first established in 1592 and continues to exude the simple elegance of architectural style prevalent in those days. Simple elegance is also a feature of the ancient and tranquil Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) temple beside Penghu Bay. This temple faces a popular swimming beach, and is a fine place for watching the brilliant late-afternoon colors as the sun sets over Xiyu Islet across the water. Another of the islands, Tongpan Islet, is fancifully called "the Penghu Yellowstone"; situated about seven kilometers southwest of Magong Harbor, it is named for the "barrel" look imparted by the columnar basalt formations that form its seaside cliffs. The sea around Hujing Islet, farther to the south, is filled with coral reefs, and on the seabed here is a formation that looks like the ruins of a city wall. Facing Tongpan and Hujing across the water is Fenggui, which is another must-see spot for visitors to Penghu.
   

• North Sea Islands
  The "North Sea" refers to the area in the Penghu islands north of the main islands. The largest island in this area, Jibei, is the site of an internationally known shell beach; but most of the island is composed of white sand, and its terrain is flat. Its huge expanse of beach with its long sandy spit serve as the symbol of Jibei. Mudou and Chengbei islets, situated in the sea north of Jibei, are the northernmost of the Penghu islands. Between Jibei and Mudou there is a sandy rise on the seafloor several hundred meters long; when the tide is low, the water is only knee deep; the sea here is clear and blue, and filled with tropical fish swimming back and forth before your eyes. The surrounding seas are also thick in hidden reefs, and the waves are relatively rough; shipwrecks used to occur frequently in these waters, and the Mudou Islet Lighthouse was built to prevent such disasters. At 40 meters, this is the tallest steel lighthouse in East Asia. The islet of Xianjiao is positioned south of Jibei and is surrounded by rich marine resources. Go snorkeling here and you can enjoy the splendid sight of schools of colorful tropical fish and stands of coral. If you don't want to get wet, you can go to the Penghu Aquarium on Baisha and observe all sorts of marine organisms from the Taiwan Straits and the South China Sea. On Bird Islet, Yuanbei Islet, Jishan Islet, and Dinggou Islet you can enjoy the sight of unique columnar basalt formations as well as many species of migratory birds and the unique local ecology.
   

BEACH / ISLAND

• Shrli Beach
  Shrli Beach is a stretch of wind-blown sand and dunes more than a kilometer long. With its calm, blue waters, this the finest swimming beach on the main island of Penghu. The beach here is made up of fine grains of coral and seashell, making it a perfect place for walking in the sand, soaking up the sun's rays,swimming in the soothing water, camping, or simply enjoying a pleasant afternoon of quiet relaxation.
   

GENERAL

• Baisha (White Sand) Islet
  Baisha Islet is named for its pure white-sand beaches. Apart from a rocky shore on the west side, the entire coast-line of the islet is great for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. The broad beaches and beautiful underwater scenery on the southwestern side of the islet are especially alluring. Being uninhabited, the primitive, unspoiled character of Baisha has remained well preserved. The islet features well-developed columnar basalt formations, which on the southern coastline are particularly spectacular. This is also one of the best areas of the Penghu Islands for bird-watching,with colonies of terms nesting along the cliffs.
   

• Datsang Island
  Datsang Island is situated inside the huge bay encircled by the islands of Penghu, Baisha, and Siyu, and is surrounded on all sides by large expanses of intertidal zone. The calm waters here nourish rich resources of coral,fish, and other marine life, making this an excellent place for fishing, snorkeling, and other water activities.
   

• Dinggou Island
  Dinggou, too, is noted for its basalt formations. Wave action and weathering, however, have left the columns here at all kinds of heights and angles, so that from a distance they give the appearance of a stone forest. This unique landscape has caused Dinggou to be named as a Basalt Preserve. This uninhabited island is a haven for sea birds, and great colonies of terns can be seen here from March to September. Watching the birds wheel through the skies, and hearing their piercing cries, is an unforgettable experience.
   

• Famous Local Products
  Penghu is known throughout Taiwan as an unrivaled source of delicious seafood, with a mind-boggling array of specialties such as grouper, lobster, squid, abalone, oysters, and dried and processed marine foods. Gems of the sea, including coral, seashells, and cultivated pearls, make ideal mementos of a visit to the islands. Among the best-known agricultural products of Penghu are loofah gourds, cantaloupes, peanuts, and seaweed cakes. The chief mineral product here is veined stone, of which Penghu is one of the world's two major producers (the other is Italy). The wavy, bubbly grain of this beautiful stone makes it ideal for the carving of name chops and decorative pieces of handicraft art.
   

• Fungkuei Cave
  The ancient fishing village of Fungkuei is located at the end of the peninsula that bears the same name. It is known for the sound of its waves, the blowholes on the shore, and the whistling sound that is produced when the waves recede from the blowholes and suck air down through them. This is the origin of the name Fungkuei, which means "wind cabinet"-a kind of Chinese organ. The fame of the space reached a peak after the release of a movie directed by Hou Xiao-xian, The Men from Fungkuei , some years ago. The coast at Fungkuei is formed of well-developed columnar basalt, which over the eons has been sculpted by the waves into long trenches and cave-like holes. Whenever large waves crash against the shore here, the holes resound like claps of thunder. If the wind is strong and its direction just right, as the tide rises jets of water will spout from the blowholes in a forest of fountains. The nearby Lingde King Wen Temple is reputed to be highly efficacious. The most unusual feature of this more-than-200-years-old plague god temple is a mechanized wooden "plague god boat" more than 10 meters long that is displayed in a special room and taken out to be put to sea during major religious celebrations. Because of its supposed effectiveness, the temple is filled with a constant stream of worshippers.
   

• Guanyin Pavilion
  Guanyin Pavilion is an old temple situated on the shore of Penghu Bay and dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Built first in 1696, the temple was destroyed during a war with France in 1884 and rebuilt in 1891. This third- class historic site is an easy walk from downtown Magong. Near Guanyin Pavilion is a large building of interesting European-style architecture, but built with local coral and basalt rock, which houses the Penghu Youth Activity Center. In the summer the nearby beaches are crowded with swimmers, sunbathers, and wind-surfers, and are also a fine place for watching the spectacular sunset over Shiyu Island.
   

• Gupo Island
  Gupo is an uninhabited island to the southwest of Jibei. It is composed of porous basalt covered with a layer of iron-rich quartz sandstone. The striking contrast between these two kinds of rock makes Gupo unique among the islands of Penghu. Two sandy bays are located on the eastern side of the island, and beautiful coral reefs cover the seabed to its southeast. When the harvest season begins in early winter for laver, a kind of edible seaweed in which Gupo abounds, residents from Chrkan Village on Baisha come in groups to gather this marine vegetable. While sharing this resource, the villages also take care not harm it by over-harvesting.
   

• Hujing (Tiger Well) Island
  Like Tungpan, Hujing is surrounded by column basalt cliffs, beneath which the water is exceptionally clear. Perhaps the transparency of the water here helps explain the legend of the sunken fortress. In the 17th century, it is said, the Dutch came here and built a fortress that later sank into the sea in the midst of a battle. Scholars who have come to explore the area in recent years have made no significant discoveries, leaving the sunken fortress a 300-year mystery.
   

• Jiangjiunau Island
  Jiangjiunau, located near Wangan, is named for a general (Jiangjiun). Jiangjiun was a subordinate of Jeng Cheng-gung, the late-Ming loyalist who drove the Dutch from Taiwan, who was once stationed here. Large deposits of high-quality veined stone were once quarried here, but the reserves have become exhausted and the mining has stopped. The large number of imposing buildings on the island give it the appearance of greater prosperity than the usual Penghu fishing settlement, and have even prompted some people to call it "Little Hong Kong". The island's wealth is reflected in the ornate opulence of its Jiangjiun,Yungan, and Tianhou (Matzu) temples. Chuanfan (Sail) Islet, located to the east of Jiang-jiunau and named after its sail-like shape, is connected with its larger neighbor by a land bridge at low tide, but becomes a true island at high tide.
   

• Old Tungliang Banyan
  The famed Tungliang banyan tree. on Paisha Island. is more than 300 years old. The tree covers nearly half an acre and is anchored by 91 trunks. Its luxuriant foliage forms the canopy of a small temple's courtyard.
   

• Penghu Aquarium
  The Penghu Marine Aquarium contains interesting displays that illustrate traditional fishing equipment, aquaculture farms, life in a simulated fishing village, the evolution of fishing vessels, the undersea world of the future, various types of fishing activities in the islands, economically important local marine life, the distribution of marine resources and fishing methods throughout the archipelago, and life on the coral reef. This is the place to spend a few delightful hours learning about the marine ecology of the Penghu Islands.
   

• Penghu National Scenic Area
  All of the islands in Penghu have a similar terrain, and most of them are flat. The highest point is Cat Islet. Clear seawater, pure beaches and beautiful skies make Penghu a favorite ocean resort area.Both a Kuroshio tributary current (during summer), and Mainland China's coastal current (during winter) pass through the Penghu sea territory. Because of this the marine life in this area is very rich, making Penghu an outstanding classroom for marine biology. During the migration season, all kinds of birds pass through this area. Tourists can often see beautiful views of hunting seagulls, and the 200-plus different bird species here. This makes Penghu an excellent location for bird watching.Tourists can also came to Penghu for fishing and snorkeling; they can take boats and travel around the neighboring islands to enjoy the sea views and savor a wonderful vacation at sea.
  
  Penghu shows its uniqueness in its cultural resources, thanks to the influences of its environment as well as Chinese culture and history. Many religious activities take place in Penghu; among 97 villages and towns in the islands, there are 183 temples. The ones with the longest history include the Tienhou, Wusheng, City God, and Paoan Temples, and the Kuanyin Pavilion. There are also many important sites with great historical value. These include the during the Ching Dynasty, such as the Shuihsien, Tungshan, and Tipao Temples. Penghu is famous for seafood such as groupers, abalone, lobsters, clams, and shellfish. Peanuts, sponge gourds, and cantaloupes are the main agricultural products. The best-known mineral is the veined stone, which is found only here and in Italy. The veined stones of Penghu are very famous for their color and quality, which is recognized as being the best in the world. Many arts and crafts stores can be found in the city of Makong, where tourists can find inexpensive and beautiful artworks carved from various kinds of stone
   

• Penghu Queen of HeavenTemple
  The Temple of Tien Hou (Matsu. Goddess of the Sea) at Magong. built in 1592. is Taiwan's oldest and one of the finest temples to be found anywhere. The architecture is the work of famous Tangshan artists.
   

• Shaded Tranquillity at Lintou Park
  The expanse of casuarinas and lintou trees here forms a forested landscape that is an extremely rare sight in the Penghu Islands. Together with the fine white-sand beach, this makes Lintou Park one of the most popular tourist destinations on Penghu. In addition to its enchanting natural landscape, Lintou Park also features recreational facilities including a barbecue area, an aviary, and flower gardens. A military cemetery is situated at the western edge of the park.
   

• The Ancient Houses of Erkan
  Old, traditional-style houses are among the most engrossing of Penghu's many cultural attractions. Besides the scholar's residence in the Shingren neighborhood of Magong and the old Jang Bai-wan house in Waganng Township on Baisha Island, there is a well-preserved century-old residential complex in Erkan Village on Siyu Island that is listed as a third-class historic site. The Erkan residence, owned by the Chen clan, is a large family home with many wings. It features relief carvings, windows, doors, and eaves in the classic southern Fujian style. The exquisite craftsmanship evident it its rustic yet refined simplicity highlights the skills of its builders.
   

• The Banyan Canopy at Tungliang
  A massive banyan tree said to be more than 200 years old forms a canopy over the courtyard of Bauan Temple in the village of Tungliang, at the western tip of Baisha Island. The main trunk of the tree is not very impressive, but its aerial roots form a miniature forest of subsidiary trunks that covers an area of more than 660 square meters. The Tungliang Banyan is revered by the people of Penghu as sacred, and has been designated as the official county tree. Its ability to thrive in such an inhospitable, wind-swept environment makes it a symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Penghu islanders.
   

• The Penghu Archipelago
  The Penghu Archipelago consists of 64 islands scattered over an expanse of sea 60 kilometers long and 22 kilometers Wide in the Taiwan Straits, roughly midway between Taiwan And Mainland China. The islands have a total land area of 127 square kilometers and a combined coastline some 320 kilometers in length.
   

• Trans-Ocean Bridge
  The Trans-Ocean Bridge spans Houmen (Roaring Gate) Channel, linking the islands of Baisha and Siyu. At 2,494 meters, it is the longest Trans-Ocean Bridge in the Far East. Walking the length of the bridge, viewing the awesome oceanic vistas, listening to the roaring tides, and feeling the bracing sea breezes, is a uniquely refreshing experience.
   

• Xi Tai Fortress
  Xi Tai Fortress was built in 1886 by Liu Ming-ch'uan. during the Ching dynasty. to protect the Taiwan Strait from pirates and marauders. This ancient fort. surrounded by high walls. has four cannons as well as tunnels beneath.
   

• Whale Hole
  Shiaumen is a small island located at the edge of Houmen Channel, just off Siyu Island (to which it is linked by a bridge). It is typical of the basalt mesa type of island and contains many of the natural and cultural features that characterize the archipelago as a whole. In this respect, it is a "Penghu in miniature."
  On the northwestern coast of the island is Whale Hole, a large hole in an eroded columnar basalt formation that is said to resemble a whale when viewed from a distance. To the southeast of Whale Hole is a plateau covered with golden quartz sand. This is one of the few places in the Taiwan area where you can see a semi-arid landscape that has been eroded because of a lack of covering vegetation.
   

HERITAGE / TEMPLE

• Yuweng (Fishermen) Lighthouse
  Yuweng Island Lighthouse, also known as Siyu Lighthouse, is located in Waian Village on Siyu Island. Built in 1778, it was the first lighthouse in the Taiwan area and is today listed as a second-class historic site. The coastline to the west of Waian Village was long a prominent landmark for ships sailing between Taiwan and Xiamen on the coast of mainland China. With the nearby seas being typically rough and treacherous, the lighthouse has served as a guardian angel for seafarers for more than two centuries.
   

BEACHES / ISLANDS

• Gibay Island
  Historical Background : Gibay Island lies 5.5 kilometers north of Baisha Island; its size is about 3.05 square kilometers, and it is not only the sixth largest island in the county, but it is also the largest inhabited island among the 28 isle within Baisha village, except for Baisha Island itself. There are two sources for the name of this Island: one is that the hidden reefs growing among the periphery if Gibay Island is shaped like the character(auspicious) in Chinese. The other is that refers to a faraway island where there are many shell (shell is pronounced in mandarin) mounds. According to historical studies, Gibay is part of the orth Sea Fishing Grounds fishermen were active in the islands surrounding sea territories in as early as the Ming Dynasty, and they had also erected a temple here, which is what is called the Wu-Sheng Temple today. During the Ching Dynasty, Gibay was divided from a governmental unit, the henhai Sectioninto the libay Section in its own right. A ection then, was the equivalent of todays village, and the Ching government also posted military officials and soldiers there. The population in Gibay increased during the Japanese Occupation era, and later, part of this increased population found labor work in Kaohsiungs amma Shing area (todays Ku-Shan and Yen-ying area). These laborers from Gibay pooled together their savings to erect a Wu-Sheng Temple, near where the end of Jen-Ku 4th Road is today in Kaohsiung. The reason they wanted to build a temple here was so that they could continue to worship the faith which brought them closer to home. After Taiwans liberation, some laborers returned home to Gibay, and they helped to raise the living standards on their island, which eventually earned the nickname of little America for their island. After the 60s and 70s, the near-sea fishing industry went into decline, and many Gibay youths once more sought employment in Taiwan.
  Cultural Highlights : There are over 80 reef clusters of various sizes surrounding the island. Because of its unique geographical location, the island has an abundance of bird and plant species, and over a hundres different types of birds have been officially listed. The rock layer on the southeast coast of the island is a isherman island layer and the porous basalt rock in the lower layers have already been eroded into a smooth platform. Darker and finer basalt formations can be found on the east and northeast coast of the island. The Shikan Mountain was originally an individual mountain. Coral residue later piled up into a path which linked the mountain and the island together. Southeast of Shikan mountain is a coastal residue layer, which merges with the spit, and forms a protruding coastal rock formation. Together with the residual layers on the north side of the Shikan mountain, these rock formations take up about half of the islands surface area, providing another type of unique scenery. On the eroded platforms outside of the residual layers, chunks of reef may be viewed at low tide. This area is where the reefs are the most dense in the entire Peng-hu area.
   

• Hsi Tai Fortress
  Historical Background : During the ruling of the Ching Emperor Kuang Hsu (1887), China and France had a war and signed a truce. The Ching government ordered magistrate Liu Ming-Chuan to build 10 fortresses to protect Taiwan from the harassment and attacks of pirates and bandits. Hsi Tai Fortress was one of them. It is also the best-preserved and largest ancient fortress in Peng Hu, 8 hectares in area. The fortress is secure under thick rocks and spacious with a capacity of 54 soldiers. It is not only a military base, but also has magnificent scenery.
  Cultural Highlights : Hsi Tai Fortress has two arches in the entrance and the stone board on the front gate was inscribed by Li Hung Chang, a famous Ching official. There are many tunnels inside, leading to different chambers. The fortress has cliffs in the back, ocean in the front, which makes it perfectly secure. It also presents Peng Hus peculiar position in history. Currently, it is classified as the first grade ancient site. Visitors to Peng Hu should never miss Hsi Tai Fortress.
   

• Jibei Island
  Jibei is the largest island in the seas north of the main Penghu group, with a land area of more than three square kilometers. The eastern side of the island consists mainly of basalt uplands, and the western half features a large expanse of sandy beach that has long given the island its reputation as an excellent destination for water sports. A long tongue of sand at the southern tip of Jibei reaches thousands of meters into the sea. Along the northern coast of the island are scattered dozens of the old stone fish traps that are one of Penghu's distinctive features.
   

• Jishan Islet
  Jishan is actually two islets, which are connected by stepping stones that can be traversed at low tide. Little Jishan is enclosed in rows of closely packed hexagonal basalt columns that form a high sea cliff and make access to the islet difficult to man. This makes it a haven for birds, and thus a great place for bird watching. Big Jishan is known for its well-developed basalt column landscapes, which are different from those on other islands in that different kinds of stone are found among them.
   

• Magong downtown area
  Historical Background : Magoung City was called Magong Cheng in early Ching Dynasty and was the first Han community in Taiwan. The most important temple here worships Goddess of Sea, because fishing industry is the most important industry in Penghu. The temple is a first grade historic site today. This city has a long history of development. Since Ching Kuang Hsu year 13 (1887), the Ching government began building city walls and now only one out of the six gates survives, which is the Shun Cheng Gate. In 1920, the Japanese army stationed here changed the citys name to Magong.
  Cultural Highlights : Magong City is the first stop for visitors to Penghu. There are many shops selling beautiful stones and special local products. At night, there are street vendors and neon lights on the streets. Visitors should never miss the night market in Magong.
   

• Mudou Island
  The northernmost island of the Penghu Archipelago, Mudou Island is surrounded by waters bristling with hidden reefs that have snagged many a passing ship. The most prominent feature of this island is a striking black-and-white striped lighthouse, 40 meters high, which was built in 1902 to provide ships with safe passage through the treacherous waters here. This is the tallest steel frame lighthouse in East Asia. At the southern end of the island is a charming white-sand beach, and the clear surrounding waters are filled with fish that make this a fine place for snorkeling.
   

• Niauyu (Bird Island)
  Despite its name, there are no birds to be seen on Niauyu.Thus the saying: "Bird Island has no birds; Cat Island has no cats." The island does, however, have fine rows of basalt columns that form high sea cliffs along its eastern shore, and in the sea-eroded holes below the cliffs the basalt columns form sprays like blossoming flowers. The weathered basalt along the northern shore, on the other hand, has developed into well-developed onion shapes. When the tide recedes, Guayu Islet off the north coast is connected to Bird Island by a land bridge. The residents of Bird island make their living from the sea, and stone cairns designed to dispel evil influences give the dock a unique character.
   

• Penghu Island
  Historical Background : Peng Hu Island is surrounded by isles and islets and its development can be traced as far back as more than 700 years ago. Archaeologists discovered that human activities on PengHu began 4000 to 5000 years ago, suggesting Peng Hus important status in the development of Taiwan. Despite its volcanic nature, PengHu Island has stable geology, for the volcano has not been active for 8 million years. Special weather and geography has resulted in PengHus unique buildings, religion, and lifestyle.
  Cultural Highlights : The PenHu Cross-Ocean Bridge stretches between Pai Sha Island, Pai Sha Hsiang, Yu Wung Island, Hsi Yu Hsiang and PengHu Island with a total length of 5,540 meters. The biggest islands are Peng Hu, Pai Sha and Yu Wung. The bridge facilitates land transportation of all types of vehicles and ships can pass underneath the bridge. Moreover, the cross-ocean bridge also attracts over 300,000 visitors every year. Standing on the bridge, tourists can overlook the beautiful ocean, the clear sky, the blue oceans and the surging waves. The temple of Goddess of Sea is a historic and unique temple. It is not only well-designed, but also has paintings of high artistic value, such as the four Lei Chin Paintings at the altar.
   

• Tongpan Island
  Tongpan features a typical basalt mesa landform with a shoreline bounded by cliffs made up of well-developed, neatly stacked basalt columns. These spectacular formations have given the island its nickname: "The Yellowstone Park of the Penghus". A paved pathway circling the island gives access to its spectacular scenic attractions. On a sea-eroded platform on the southwest side of the island is a stepped basin, created by upwelling basalt lava, which is known as the "Lotus Terrace". The shoreline is given additional allure by a beehive-shaped basalt formation called "Cat Rock" Fuhai Temple, located near the dock. It is dedicated primarily to the plague god surnamed Wen, and its ornate decor helps make it the most popular temple in the outlying islands of Penghu. Large coral forests on the nearby seabed make this a fine spot for snorkeling.
   

• Wangan
  Historical Background : Wangan, the fourth largest island of Penghu, is famous for the green turtles (Chelonia mydmydas japonica). It is also famous for the production of beautiful stones. There is extensive green grass on the island and the islanders raise cows on the grass. Wangan was called Pachao in the past, located between Penghu Island and Cimei Island. There is beautiful green grass and cattle on the island. The island got its name from a special fishing method adopted by local fishermen. However, it is also said that Wangan was named by a famous general, Cheng Cheng Kung in 1661 when Cheng sailed from Kinmen to Taiwan. However Wangan got its name, the two stories both show local customs and its military importance.
  Cultural Highlights : To Na Hot Spring is a natural bathing pool and it is right next to the cool river. Tourists should never miss the beautiful scenery and soothing hot spring.
   

• Wangan Island , Xianjiau (Danger Reef) Island
  Wangan is composed of porous basalt with rich deposits of wenshr, or veined stone. The beautiful sandy beaches here have given Wangan the nickname of "Honeymoon Island". The island's highest elevation, Tiantai Hill, is just 53 meters above sea level and is composed by large expanses of green pasture upon which cattle graze. On the western side of the peak is an indentation in the rock which is said to be the footprint of Liu Dung-bin, one of the legendary Eight Immortals of China. On the western side of the island, Jungshe Village has a well-preserved group of Ching Dynasty houses--the only place in the Taiwan area which boasts a whole collection of historic residences. Some of them are still inhabited. Wangan is also home to the most stable nesting ground in the Taiwan area for green sea turtles. The nesting site is now protected as a nature preserve.
   

• Yuanbei (Round Shell) Island
  Round Shell Island is a small island shaped (of course) like a seashell. The northern coast of the island is rimmed with columnar basalt formations; and a formation near its northern tip, made up of a basalt column section and a hole eroded by the sea, is known as the "Brush Pen and Inkstone." Fan-shaped rows of basalt columns on the eastern side of the island resemble pleated skirts. The water between Yuanbei and Baisha Islet constitutes a rich ocean ecology filled with precious areas of coral.

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