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Located in the southwest of the Taiwan Strait, Penghu County is composed of 90 Islands and is known as the pearl of the Taiwan Strait. Penghu has lots of natural wonders to offer.
Also refered as Pescadores (Fisherman Islands) these hidden islands near the coast of Taiwan are the perfect getaway with the turquoise water, the multitude of colorful of fishes and clean unoccupied beaches.
The best time to visit would be in May and September. Summer can be very hot and winter can be cold and windy.
It is the perfect place to go snorkeling, diving or wind surfing. Pack your bags and come and visit this hidden gem for the perfect 3 day vacation.
History
Situated in a strategic position for trade and military defense in the area, the Penghu Islands were coveted by the Dutch, the French and the Japanese throughout history.
Invaded by the Dutch in 1622, the Islands were liberated when the Dutch retreated to Anping and signed a treaty with the Ming Dynasty.
During the Sino-French War in 1885, the French sent a fleet to try and take Taiwan but failed. They then attacked Penghu islands and occupied them for a short while, until the Treaty of Tianjin.
The Japanese attacked and occupied Penghu in 1895 and the Qing Dynasty ceded the islands to them.
After WW2, the Islands were later given to the ROC government who retreated to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil war and still control the island today under an independant democratic government.
How to get there
By plane
It is possible to fly to Magong Airport with Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines from Taipei Songshan, Taichung, Jiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung and Jinmen Islands for around 4000$ NT.
Flying is probably the best option out there and the most convenient to maximize time for most travelers. Flights take around 30-50 mins to get to Penghu. You can get tickets by visiting the travel agents from EZ Travel or Lion Travel, which have offices around most cities.
By ferry
You can take a ferry from Jiayi’s Budai Harbor for around 1000$ NT. The ferry takes about 1.5h to get there. The ferry leaves at 10:00 am every morning. You can’t bring your scooter on the ferry.
You can also take a ferry from Kaohsiung Harbor for about 1500$ NT. It takes 4h for day boat and 6h for the overnight boat. The ferry leaves at 9:00 am every day.
Keep in mind that the ferry back from Magong-Chiayi is at 4pm.
Here is a link to the website for the time schedule.
Transportation
Photo by Kumpan Electric on Unsplash
Most hostels or hotels will be able to rent you a scooter. If you do not have a Taiwanese driving license do not worry as they have electric scooters for rent.
Their speed is limited at 50 KM/h though but can be quite useful to travel the island. It cost me 600$ NT (around 20$ USD) per day to rent one.
They also have gas scooters to rent if you have your permit.
Where to stay?
Photo by Kate Stone Matheson on Unsplash
Budget options
PH Hostel: Situated in the heart of Magong city, it is the perfect spot to stay nearby the main attractions of Magong. It is a great spot to stay if you want to experience the city’s nightlife because it’s close to the main street: Zhong Zheng Road. The shared dorm is only 750$ NT per night and comes with breakfast.
Bayhouse Hostel Penghu: Right by Shanshuei beach, the staff is friendly and speaks English. They can help with booking tours and activities for all. The shared dorm is only 470$ NT. Here is their website. I wanted to stay there for a night but, unlucky for me, the place was full.
Camping
Aimen Beach: My favorite beach of Penghu, this beach has it all: a beachside restaurant, a place to rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, volleyball courts and swimming gear. There are plugs on the side of the building so you can charge you electronics. There is even a beach shower and toilet nearby.
You could camp at any beach without any problems but this one seemed to more convenient to me.
I stayed a night and it was the perfect camping spot. Just a little too hot in summer to sleep well. The local police even came to check by if everything was okay and gave me water. Price: Free!
Luxury
Four Points by Sheraton Penghu: If you are not afraid to spend money and are looking for the best experience, this place is for you. With an infinity pool, a spa, a fitness gym, an incredible view and gorgeous rooms, you will feel like royalty. Price: around 5000$ NT for the night.
Top things to do
I would recommend spending at least 3 days in Penghu as there are many places to visit and activities to do. Here is a list of my favorite things to do:
Magong
Magong is the main city and heart of Penghu. There are lots of historic places, places to shop and eat in the city.
Zhong Zheng Road
As the most busy street in Penghu, it has lots of shops and restaurants. There are a few bars, a MacDonald and a few souvenir shops. It’s a great place to walk by at night. You can get a few local delicacies.
Mazu Temple (Tian Hou Gong Temple)
Famous historic landmark in Penghu, this is the oldest Mazu temple (dedicated to the God of the Sea). Over 300 years old, this temple was built during the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century. It was destroyed by Japanese pirates and rebuilt in the 16th century.
Magong grew around the temple and was named for it. The main idol of Mazu is said to be more than 700 years old, carved from a single piece of wood.
It is a place where fisherman and sailors come to receive protection for them while at sea.
It is open from 5:30 am to 7 pm and the entrance is free.
Shuncheng Gate (順承門)
Photo courtesy of Taiwan’s Tourism Bureau
This historic relic at the end of Zhongshan Road is a remnant of the original wall of 1889 built after the Sino-French War to improve the Qing defenses of the city.
When the Japanese took control of Taiwan, most walls were destructed in order to confirm with city planning. Only the Major West Gate and Minor West Gate were kept.
When the KMT took control of Taiwan, they renamed this gate Shuncheng Gate (順承門). More info
Four-eyed Well
By Polyxyz - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28193227
Located on Zhongyang Street, this historic well is very ancient and believed to have been dug during the Ming Dynasty (1592). The four cavities made it so many people could draw water from it at the same time.
5.6 meters deep and 2 meters in diameter, a stone slate covers the well to prevent people from falling in it. It is the oldest well in Magong City and was running even during draughts.
Penghu Central Old Street
This is the first street of Penghu and the oldest street. You can admire the Mingnan style architecture from the Japanese Colonial Period. You can walk about 15 mins and buy souvenirs and snacks.
Xiying Rainbow Bridge
Spectacular sight at night with the LED lights and the reflection on the water, it is a great place to visit during the day and go for a swim or admire the coast.
Rainbow bridge is the perfect spot for a romance with a loved one or for photographers to capture the sunset. Lights are turned off at 11pm.
Penghu Guanyin Temple
This Buddhist temple founded in 1696 during the Qing dynasty by the military officer of Penghu Navy Xue Kui. It is a temple dedicated to Guanyin (Buddhist God) and Long-Wang (Lord of Sea Dragon).
It is a popular temple to visit during the Penghu Fireworks Festival.
Penghu Fireworks Festival
The Penghu Fireworks Festival takes place every summer from July 7th to September 3rd at Guayinting Recreation Area, close to the Rainbow Bridge. It is an impressive event not to miss that takes place every Monday and Thursday. A total of 21 firework shows are planned for 2020 and you can even see an impressive drone show.
Before the fireworks, singers, dancers and politicians come together to perform in front of a large crowd.
People from far away come together to admire this spectacular event.
Here is the official website for more info.
Other recommendations near Magong city
Pan An Pang Memorial
篤行十村
Wanjun Well
Penghu Fossil Museum
Ocean Resources Museum
Penghu Living Museum
Penghu Recreation Area
North
Jhongtun Wind Power Area
After taking the bridge on road 203 to go up north, you can access a park to go on a stroll to see the wind turbines.
The path is more suited for a bike than a scooter but it’s large enough if you are a skilled driver.
Penghu Aquarium
On a rainy day, Penghu Aquarium is the perfect place to go. With an impressive collection of colorful fishes, you can take awesome pictures.
You must go and see the glass aquarium tunnel.
Penghu Great Bridge (澎湖跨海大橋)
Penghu Great Bridge is one of the most famous landmark of Penghu. Many visitors come to take pictures here. It is the first sea-crossing bridge in the far-eastern.
2494 meters long and 13 meters wide, it is a great place to go for a walk or bike ride with the refreshing ocean breeze. The bridge construction began in 1965 when sailors realized the sea current between Siyu Island and Baisha Island was too harsh to sail. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1984 due to its collapse.
Tongliang Great Banyan
This temple nearby Penghu Great Bridge is quite special. A giant banyan tree believed to be 200 years old stretches its branches to fill an area of more than 660 square meters.
This banyan tree is revered as sacred by the people of Penghu and is the official county tree.
This resilience to grow in a constantly windy inhospitable environment makes it a symbol of the spirit of the people of Penghu.
Zhuwan Dayi Temple
This temple is very unique and I strongly recommend you go explore it. With the two impressive golden statues guarding the entrance and the golden dragon, it leaves you breathless. But that’s not all…
Inside, if you go downstairs, you will be able to see different kinds of sea turtles with incredible ornated walls and decorations. It was quite a shocking surprise. The turtles seemed treated nicely and the water was clean so I’m guessing they put a lot of work into them.
A sign says that this place is approved by the Taiwanese wildlife conservation government.
Whale Cave
This rock formation created by erosion is an important landmark. Located at the north tip of Xiyu Township, it is one of my favorite spot to stop by. With a path that goes down the rock, be careful not to slip on these tiny rocks. You can get great pictures at the entrance of the cave.
With an animated street and a swimmable beach nearby, you can get refreshing beverages and charge your electric scooter.
Dream Beach (夢幻沙灘)
Dream beach was named that way because it is only possible to see the beach during low tide. A small hidden gem, this less is less visited by tourists and have the famous basalt stone created by eroded volcanic rock.
Chixi Rock Waterfall (澎湖玄武岩)
Also called Chixi Columnar Basalt, this geological wonder shows the power of erosion from the wind and ocean. Made from volcanic rocks, this popular place is a cool spot to admire nature’s beauty and take pictures.
This location can be hard to get to by car so you should get there by scooter or by walking.
Daguoye Columnar Basalt
Penghu is known for its Basalt rock formations and this one is the easiest to access so be prepared to see lots of people taking pictures.
Caused by lava hardening into pentangle or hexagonal columnar joints (Bernard cell) from 10 million years ago, every section seen represents the different stages of weathering.
Male and Female Pagoda (塔公塔婆)
If you have time and are passing by Naian Beach, you can check out these man-made sculptures quickly.
Made in seven concentric sections of unpainted basalt, they are reputed to hold supernatural powers that ward off evil and protect residents from natural disasters.
Guanyinshan
Lying on the sea cliff near the south side of Neian North Port, this group of basalt columns looks like the Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin, when viewed from a distance. The north side and south side have a line of 9 rising stone columns as the mythological 18 Arhats standing at her side.
This sacred place is worshiped by the local villagers and fisherman, who prepare offerings to the Goddess on the first and the fifteenth of each lunar month.
Naian Beach (內垵遊憩區)
Naian beach is a peaceful beach not too busy and very clean. There are changing rooms and restrooms not too far and this could be a great place to go camping or to snorkel. There is a hiking trail nearby. This could be a beautiful location for a sunset.
Because it is a bit far from Magong city and nowhere any big cities, it is a place not too much frequented by tourists.
Xitai Fake Cannon
Built by the Japanese during their occupation of Penghu, these cement canons were built to trick the ennemy. Their main purpose were to misguide the pilots of American warplanes to trick them to bomb them. This would reduce the treat to the command post.
5.35 meters wide at the base and the cannons 6.13 meters long, these cannons were kept as a historical reminder of Wai’an’s strategic location during World War II.
Yuwengdao Lighthouse (漁翁島燈塔)
Considered the oldest lighthouse of Penghu, this 11 meter tall structure was made of cast iron. This structure was built in 1875 by the British engineer David Marr Henderson.
He was inspired to built in on the site of the earlier Xiyu Pagoda Lighthouse, originally built in 1778 during the Quianlong Emperor reign.
Yuwengdao Lighthouse is a popular site visited by many tourists since 1992 and has been featured in the documentary ‘‘ The Coastwise Lights of Penghu: The Fisher Island Lighthouse’’.
Other recommendations
Mount Niusin
Xiyu East Fort
Siyu Western Fort
Wukongding Trail
Xiaomenyu Lighthouse
South
Shanshui Beach (山水沙灘)
Shanshui beach is the most popular beach of Penghu. It is the perfect location for water sports such as snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, etc. There is a water sport club where you can go for tubing, rent Jet Skis or rent paddle boards.
This is probably the most crowded beach of Penghu but is quite big so it’s not too bad. There are lots of BnB’s in the area and is quite close to Magong city.
If you want to learn how to surf, it is the perfect spot as there are lots of surfing schools that offer lessons.
Shili Beach
Shili beach is more remote than Shanshui and much more calm. There are no bars or restaurants so be prepared to bring your own food.
This clean and calm beach is a great place for a relaxing swim.
Fongguei Cave and Blowholes
Fongguei cave is located at the southwestern tip of the island. With a platform to see the coastline and admire the power of the sea, when there are strong currents, you can hear the roars of the sea.
When it’s typhoon season, the air vent becomes a powerful fountain, shooting water several stories high.
The coast of Fongguei is formed of columnar basalt, which have been sculpted by the waves over the years. Local people pick up shells from the rocks to prepare as a local delicacy and many people come for photos and photoshoots.
Ziwei Palace
A big temple where a statue of Emperor Ziwei can be seen from afar. Great location for the Lantern Festival and for beautiful sea views.
East
Aimen Beach
Aimen beach is my favorite place on the island. With a cafe on the beach, volleyball courts and surf schools nearby, it has all the amenities to camp there for free. This 3 km long beach is the perfect place to hangout.
The nightlife there is great and the beer is cheap. They have great music and you can eat at the buffet for very cheap. You can also taste the local delicacy: cactus juice.
Close to a military base, you can sometimes see fighter jets and military planes take off.
There are charging plugs, showers and changing rooms.
Longmen Beach
Longmen beach is quite a scenic place with the wind turbines you can admire from a distance. The shallow and transparent water is a great place for a quiet swim, far from other people.
You will probably be the only one swimming there as it is so far from the other tourist spots.
There are washrooms and toilets but don’t forget to bring your own food and water because there are no cities or convenient stores nearby.
Kuibishan Beach
Kuibishan beach is accessible if you follow the path down the stairs. The beach is closed when the tide covers the path to Chiyu because they are no lifeguards.
However, if you follow the path further towards the end of the dock, there are stairs that lead to a small patch of sand where you can dip your feet. I don’t recommend swimming there as there are many sharp and slippery rocks.
Many people come to this location to take their picture with the Penghu pin post.
Moses Parts the Sea (摩西分海)
To find this interesting location, you have to drive to Kuibishan Chiyu Geopark. If the tide is low, a path of basalt stones is revealed from Kuibishan to Chiyu island. This deserted island 300m across the sea is accessible by walking on the path.
If the flag is red, it means you can’t go on the beach. If violate the beach rules, you may risk getting fined 5 000$ NT to 1 000 000$ NT. You can’t endanger other people by chasing them. Taking, throwing or damaging natural resources or wildlife is prohibited. You might get a fine by making noise, littering or polluting the environment.
Great spot to stargaze or watch the sunset, it is less populated and crowded than most locations. There is a visitor center and restrooms nearby. There is also a trail that leads to Wind Turbines on the coast.
Water Sports
Poseidon Water Sports Club (波賽頓海洋運動俱樂部)
For the outdoor water sports lovers, I strongly recommend to check out Poseidon Water Sports Club. Situated south of Magong, near Shili beach, they have lots of activities for you to try.
Most of them speak english. They sell wakeboarding, snorkeling and diving experience tours.
I chose the Diving Experience Tour and I loved every second of it. For this activity you don’t need your PADI diving license because you will be accompanied by your instructer who will guide you and help you. You won’t have to worry about anything and can just focus on the beautiful underwater sealife.
A photographer will accompagny you to immortalize this unbelievable experience. You will go to an underwater postbox to mail a postcard, while underwater. It’s quite a fun experience and you will learn about a lot. Here are a few pictures:
Prices 2020
Snorkeling: NT700$
SUP (Stand Up Paddle Board): NT1200$
Wakeboarding: NT1500$
Diving experience: NT2400$
Windsurfing and Kitesurfing
Longmen beach, Baikeng beach and Jibei island are great locations to go windsurfing or kitesurfing.
Other Islands
You can book tours to other islands from some hotels or tour agency centers. Be aware that not all staff speak english so you might want to bring google translate with you or a friend who speaks chinese.
Here are the other interesting locations:
Qimei Island (七美)
Qimei Island, also called Cimei island, is famous for the Double Heart Stone Weir (雙心石滬), a large traditional fishing trap made in the shape of two hearts. It is a nice romantic spot to bring a loved one. There is also a sacred shrine dedicated to the Seven Beauties from which the island takes its name.
Wife waiting for husband rock is one of the tourist spots. The story is that one day, a pregnant wife’s husband went fishing and never came back. She waited for him for so long that she turned into stone. That’s why that rock, looking like a pregnant lady, is named that way.
Another stop is Little Taiwan Rock. It is named that way because it shapes resembles Taiwan.
Qimei island also have beautiful beaches and nice snorkeling locations. Yueli Bay offers practically untouched coral reefs. You can also taste the sea grapes, a special kind of edible seaweed.
Cimei island is accessible by taking a boat from the South Sea Tourist Center on Xinying Road in Magong harbor.
Ji-bei Island (吉貝嶼)
Jibei island is a good place for water sports. You can go for banana boats, snorkeling, water slides… You should rent a scooter on the island.
To get to Jibei island, you must go to the North Sea Tourist Center on Baisha island and get your boat tickets.
Wangan Island (望安嶼)
You can buy tickets to Wangan Island from the tour agencies in the harbor or sometimes through your hotel. The tickets cost around 900$ NT for a boat ride and a scooter on the island.
Wangan is a 45 min boat ride from Magong City and has a few rock formation and nice views. The main point of interest is the old courthouse house village ruins near temples, Huazai. These are believed to be the oldest ruins in Taiwan.
Tiantai hill gives you a good view of the island. Wangan island beach is a great spot to relax and go for a swim. You can rent a motorbike for around 350$ to 400$ NT.
Food and local delicacies
Cactus ice cream
Photo by Karen Wang
Grilled meat
Photo by Robert Eastman
Oysters
Photo by Robert Eastman
Photo credit: Robert Eastman
Egg wrap
Photo credit: Robert Eastman
Fresh seafood
Photo credit: Robert Eastman
Brown sugar cake
Onion pancake
Book a tour
Conclusion
Hope this blog post was useful. Penghu is a beautiful destination for a few days in paradise. Beautiful beaches, water sports, natural wonders and historic places, no wonder Pendu island is called the Gem of the Taiwan Strait.
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