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The Ultimate Guide to Penghu Island, Taiwan

15 Best Things to Do in Penghu + Travel Tips

Penghu ( 澎湖 ) is an archipelago of 90 islands and islets in the west of the Taiwan Strait. Although it is a popular vacation destination for Taiwanese, it is not much known to the outside world. Like many of Taiwan’s outlying islands, Penghu is not the most accessible place to explore as foreigners. We are lucky to have a local friend to guide us through this beautiful island and introduce local hot spots. And I’m sharing all of them with you here!

This article includes essential travel tips, top things to do in Penghu, where to stay, what to eat, best souvenirs from Penghu and everything else you need to know to explore Taiwan’s best-kept secret. Don’t forget to check out my three-day itinerary in Penghu  to help you plan your trip!

Wait! Before I spill the beans, I want to ask you to be a responsible traveler, please. While I hope more international travelers can enjoy beautiful islands of Taiwan, I hate to see them suffer from pollutions and over-tourism. 

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Disclosure : This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase by clicking some of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you . Click here to read full disclaimer.

Penghu Island Attractions & Things to Do

Let me start by introducing the best things to do in Penghu and the island’s top attractions because this list will get you excited. Before I got there, I imagined Penghu to be a small, underdeveloped island with some white sandy beaches, fresh seafood and nothing else. I was pleasantly surprised to learn Penghu has many historical places to visit, things to do and see beyond my expectation, so much so that three days won’t be enough to cover everything I wanted to do. But if you’re going to lie down on the beach and do nothing, Penghu is also the place to do just that.        

Relax on the Beautiful Beach

Did you ask for a paradise island? You got it! Many Penghu islands feature a gorgeous white sandy beach with emerald water. It might surprise you that they are technically empty. You can be a beach bum and have it all to yourself! But hurry because I don’t think it will stay that way for too long. I heard more and more mainland Chinese and other foreign tourists start coming in as the tourism industry gets developed in Penghu.

Aimen and Lintou are the longest beaches in Penghu. Some other famous Penghu beaches include Shanshui and Peng Peng Beach.

READ MORE >> 12 BEST BEACHES in TAIWAN

Enjoy Snorkeling, Surfing and Windsurfing!

Penghu’s notorious wind makes it an excellent spot for surfing and windsurfing. Because the Penghu beaches are not crowded, you don’t have to fight for your spot. Also, did you know Penghu has the world’s first submarine postbox ? [ Click here for more information .] You can reach by diving or underwater helmet-walking to send a waterproof postcard to your family or yourself. Awesome! [ Click here to book Penghu Underwater Mailbox Snorkeling Experience .]   

If you are looking for less adrenaline-driven aquatic sports, Jibei Island in the North Sea is an excellent place for snorkeling and banana boating. Jibei Island is also famous for its beautiful and delicate sand beach with clear blue water worth visiting. Click here to open Google Map for Jibei Sand Trail .  

READ MORE >> Would you like to swim or snorkel with sea turtles? Visit this hidden gem vacation island in Taiwan!  

Explore the Three Natural Wonders in Penghu

Penghu is composed of lava from volcanic eruptions. Over the centuries, the erosion by wind, rain and wave created today’s geological landscape that is unique to the island.

1. Basalt Columns

When basaltic lava is cooling down from the bottom up, the phenomena called “column jointing” formed incredible hexagonal volcanic rock columns. Tongpanyu ( 桶盤嶼 ), also known as Penghu’s Yellowstone Park, is an island surrounded by basalt columns. Its southwestern part is an opening of volcanic lava, which resembles a plate of lotus when the tide ebbs. You can see Tongpanyu afar from a boat ride between Magong and Wangan.

In Magong, Daguoye ( 大菓葉 ) is another excellent place to see basalt columns more closely and take photos in front of them. Click here to open Google Map for Daguoye Basalt Columnar . 

2. Fenggui Blowholes ( 風櫃洞 )

The pounding waves created a long and hallow cave over time in the columnar basalts on the shore. When the tides come in, the water flows into the cave and soars out to the opening on top of the cliff. It produces the whistling sounds from the blowholes. Occasionally when the south wind blows, water spray out of the pit of the cave creating a spectacular water fountain. Unless you want to get soaked, watch out! Click here to open Google Map for Fenggui Blowholes.

3. Whale Cave ( 鯨魚洞 )

Dubbed the “outdoor geology classroom,” Xiaomenyu ( 小門嶼 ) is a lava plateau featuring a fascinating geological landscape. The most famous scenic spot here is Whale Cave. Originally a basalt headland, a whale-looking cave was formed by the monsoon and ocean erosion over time. Click here to open Google Map for Whale Cave . 

Witness Moses Parts the Sea at Kuibishan Chiyu Geopark

Get the once-in-a-lifetime experience of walking across the sea. Whenever the tides ebb, the approximately 300m path formed by basalt stones is gradually revealed from the bottom of the sea, connecting Kuibishan in Huxi and the uninhabited Chiyu islet. This area is known as “Moses Parts the Sea ( 摩西分海 )” because walking on the path reminds of Moses wading across the Red Sea. Click here to open Google Map for Kuibishan Chiyu Geopark .

Walk the Magong Old Street & Visit Tianhou Temple

Penghu Tianhou Temple ( 澎湖天后宮 ) is the oldest Matzu temple in Taiwan. Matzu ( 媽祖 ) is the Chinese goddess of the ocean. This ancient temple is elegant and free to enter. It doesn’t take long to take a look. Click here to open Google Map for Tianhou Temple.

Right next to the temple is Magong Old Street ( 馬公老街 ). This historical street is now a beautiful area to visit to see the earliest settlement in Penghu such as Four-Eyed Well and Taixiajiao Business Hall. Renovated houses here turned into cute shops and cafes and worth your visit. You can get cactus ice cream and other desserts, and buy small souvenirs here.

Fun Fact : The Old Street is also known as “touching breast alley ( 摸乳巷 )” because it used to be too narrow that there is no other way for two people to pass through but for their chests to meet. But not to worry. It has been widened enough for many people to walk through now.

Get a Glimpse of Traditional Penghu Lifestyle at Penghu Living Museum

The beautiful island of Penghu is not the most comfortable place to inhabit. Mind you the volcanic eruptions and geological formation. The only plant that is strong enough to survive the nature of Penghu is cacti, which is why it’s one of the famous things from the island. Combined with the wind and dangers of the ocean, you can imagine how tough the lives would have been for the early settlers.

I enjoyed my visit to Penghu Living Museum, not only for its impressive architecture but also for its educational value. This new museum offers an excellent exhibit to display Penghu’s history, culture, religion and ecology. Here, you can get a glimpse of the Penghu residents’ lives and their resilient spirit.

Opening Hours : 9 am – 5 pm (closed on Thursdays, Lunar New Year’s Eves and typhoon days) | Admission : 80 NT | Click here to open Google Map for Penghu Living Museum . 

Take a Break under the Shade of the Sacred Tongliang Great Banyan ( 通樑古榕 )

A legend has it; only a Banyan tree survived a shipwreck happened near Penghu during the Qing Dynasty. As it got washed up to the shore, a Tongliang villager picked it up and planted in Baoan Temple. The sacred tree grew for more than 300 years to cover the temple ground. Today, it is a great spot to enjoy the shade created by the Banyan tree and see the unusual sight of its 100+ aerial roots. Click here to open Google Map for Tongliang Great Banyan .

Visit the Military Family Housing at Duxingshi Village ( 篤行十村 )

Duxingshi Village is the oldest military housing in Taiwan. The Japanese army established the official residences in this town during the colonial era. In addition to the Japanese-style living quarters, the area houses the childhood homes of two famous Taiwanese singers, Chang Yu-Sheng and Pan An Bang. Their homes have become a space for art exhibits and a memorial museum. Even if you are not familiar with local singers, this village is still worth visiting for its historical background and retro vibes worthy of Instagram photos .

Opening Hours : 8 am – 9:30 pm | Admission : Free. | Click here to open Google Map for Duxingshi Village . 

Tour the Ancient Military Fort at Xiyu West Fort

Military enthusiasts might be excited to learn that Penghu has a few ancient military forts. Xiyu West Fort is the most well-conserved centenary fort and a popular tourist attraction. It was built in 1885 during the Qing Dynasty to defend against foreign attacks. The fort is strategically located in a high land to look out the sea. You can also take a look at the old cannons and mortar ammunitions inside altars. 

Opening Hours : All Day | Admission : 25 NT on weekdays. 30 NT on holidays. | Click here to open Google Map for Xiyu West Fort .

Soak in the Retro Vibes at Erkan Ancient Residences ( 二崁古厝 )

Erkan is the first folk village in Taiwan. The town used to be the Chen family village during the Qing Dynasty settlement period. The charming houses here feature stonewalls, wooden frames and colorful decorations. If you appreciate ancient architecture, this village is full of cute Instagram spots !

Opening Hours : All Day | Admission : Free | Click here to open Google Map for Erkan Ancient Residences . 

Enjoy the Ocean View at Yuwengdao Lighthouse ( 漁翁島燈塔 )

Speaking of Instagram spots , Yuwengdao Lighthouse can’t be missed. Built in 1788, the lighthouse is the first one recorded in Taiwanese history. While it’s no longer functional, Yuwengdao Lighthouse is now a serene place to enjoy the fabulous ocean scenery. You can also take a look at small exhibits in the air-conditioned room (you will appreciate it very much!) or soak all the sun on the grass (which is rare in Taiwan). The Lighthouse is a small area surrounded by a military facility in operation, so be careful not to intrude accidentally.

Opening Hours : 9 am – 6 pm (Closed on Monday) | Admission : Free. | Click here to open Google Map for Yuwengdao Lighthouse .

Join the Penghu International Fireworks Festival

The Penghu International Fireworks Festival is a highly anticipated summer event in Taiwan. This annual event kicks off in mid-April and continues through June. The opening day is the most eventful one with on-stage performances and street market. The Taiwan Air Force also performs an air show over the rainbow bridge (at 6:30 pm), followed by the spectacular fireworks on the bay near the Guanyinting Recreation Center (at 9 pm). During the festival, you can see the fireworks on Monday, Thursday and Saturday at various spots in different Penghu islands.

Dates : Apr 20, 2023~Jun 29, 2023 | Click here to Open Google Map for Guanyinting Recreation Center .

Cross the Ocean Over the Penghu Great Bridge

Penghu Great Bridge is a historic landmark and a great photo spot tourists must visit. In 1970, Penghu Great Bridge was built to connect Baisha and Xiyu. This was the first deep ocean bridge in East Asia. In summer, the piers become the nests of black-naped terns. If you are lucky, you can see them catching fish. Also, stop by a small cactus ice cream shop near the bridge. Click here to open Google Map for Penghu Great Bridge .

Go Island Hopping

With 90 populated and unpopulated outlying islands, Penghu is perfect for island hopping activities. Besides the main island of Magong, Penghu islands can be grouped into the North Sea and South Sea Recreational Systems.

The North Sea islands are more suitable for beach lovers and water sports such as snorkeling and banana boating. The most famous island in the North Sea is Jibei ( 吉貝 ). Its impressive Sand Beach Tail is made of coral and shell pieces. You can also go up the hill of Xikanshan to see the Sand Beach Tail from up above. To reach islands in the North Sea, go to Chikan Wharf Ferry Terminal ( 赤崁碼頭 ) [ Click to open Google Map ].  

The South Sea Islands boast unique natural scenery. Most likely, you have seen these images in Taiwan tourism advertisement from airports or brochures. The most famous image of all is perhaps Twin-Hearts Stone Weir in Qimei ( 七美 ). The stone weirs were initially made with basalt and coral reefs to trap fish, which is one of the traditional fishing methods. Now it has become a tourist hot spot attracting couples with its romantic shapes. See my itinerary suggestion to read about my venture to the South Sea Islands. To reach these islands in the South Sea, go to South Sea Visitor Center [ Click to open Google Map ]. Book this DISCOUNTED Ferry Tour Tickets here. 

Hop on a Deep Sea Fishing Excursion

Before tourism, Penghu is best known for its professional and leisure fishing. In Taiwan, seafood from Penghu is sold at a premium. If you are already in Penghu, why not buy fresh seafood directly from fishers at the Suogang Harbor [ Click here to open Google Map ]? 

Or, better yet, hop on a leisure fishing cruise to discover the Penghu’s marine lives yourself. We did one and had a wonderful time. This 6-hour adventure includes fishing at an offshore farm and in the deep sea, on-island excursions and dinner on a cruise. As part of the island hopping, we got to enjoy a gorgeous beach all to ourselves on an inhabited island and witness a beautiful sunset on a hilltop of Cho-Island. We fished three times at different spots. We also had an incredible multi-course meal made out of our daily catches. But the highlight of the day was me winning the most catch of the evening after catching five fish!

I recommend it for anyone, but especially for a family with children because it was fun and educational. Keep in mind this tour is mainly for Taiwanese; however, I think it is doable without the Chinese language skill as long as you understand the safety guideline. The excursion boat leaves Qitou Wharf in Baisha [ Click here to open Google Map for Qitou Wharf ]   around 2:00 pm daily and returns around 8:30 pm. Book Penghu Fishing & Seafood Tour here .

If you are more interested in serious deep sea fishing, I know just the right guy who can arrange the trip for you. He can speak some English. Contact Ryan at (09) 8901-2397.  

What to Eat in Penghu

Like many other places in Taiwan, Penghu is full of delicious food and snacks to chow down. I listed out a few below. I honestly don’t know the names of many dishes I ate because there was no English translation. So, make sure to check out my itinerary for restaurant recommendations and more photos .

Squid Vermicelli ( 小管麵線 )

If one thing you must eat in Penghu, that is seafood. Lots of ‘em! Particularly, squid vermicelli is one dish you want to try here. Many restaurants near the Whale Cave serve squid vermicelli and other small eats. 

Pumpkin Rice Noodle ( 金瓜麵猴 )

Pumpkin rice noodle is another local specialty and traditional Penghu dish. I liked the chewy texture of noodle and sweet flavor of pumpkin. 

Scallion Cake ( 蔥油餅 )

While Scallion Cakes are favorite snack food available everywhere in Taiwan, Penghu’s is slightly different from the rest. Instead of mixing scallion into the flour batter, the fluffy pancake wraps scallions and other vegetables. Try it at the most famous Post Office Scallion Cake.    

Cactus Ice Cream

When you go around Penghu, you will spot many cactus dessert shops. Cacti can grow everywhere on this barren island. Try ice cream, slush or shaved ice. It’s the best treat in Penghu’s heat.

Penghu peanuts are famous although they are not produced in a great quantity. You can purchase flavored peanuts. But handmade peanut candies are my favorite snack from Taiwan.

Best Souvenirs from Penghu

Decorated Stone Figures

I love this set of decorated stone figures made out of Penghu rocks (see above photo). I bought them at a small gift shop at Erkan Historical Residences.

Handmade Peanut Candy ( 花生酥 )

As mentioned above, I love Penghu’s handmade peanut candies. It eats like toffee and tastes like peanut butter. My mom loves them. All my American friends love them, too. It makes a great souvenir from Penghu. Although you can call to order delivery to Taiwan, it’s best to buy fresh ones in Penghu because of its short shelf life. (The peanut oil will ooze out after two weeks.) I like the one from here . 

Flavored Peanuts

From basil to Sichuan spicy, you can purchase a variety of flavored peanuts in a plastic bottle. Although it’s not the best way to protect the environment, it is super easy to eat without dirtying fingers. Just chug ‘em.

Fresh Seafood

When I got off the plane from Penghu, the endless ice boxes came out on the conveyor belt. It seemed to me every single Taiwanese bought some seafood. You, too, can purchase kingfish, shrimp, squid and other seafood; the seller will help you package it iced and sealed for the flight.

Dried Seafood

If you are on the go and can’t cook fresh seafood, opt for dried seafood. My favorite one from Penghu is dried squid ( 小捲片 ). The Penghu one is slightly different from what I can buy from Korea or Japan. This savory snack pairs well with beer. Go to this shop: 新臺澎海產總匯 . 

Penghu Travel Tips

Best time to visit penghu island.

In general, April through September is the best time to visit Penghu. It is the perfect time to enjoy Penghu’s white sandy beach because the weather is mostly sunny with the lowest of 20°C (68°F) to slightly over 30°C (86°F). (But I have to tell you, it felt much hotter and humid on sunny days.) The annual International Fireworks Festival also starts in mid-April and ends in June. However, be on the lookout for occasional typhoons around July through September.

In October, a strong wind from the ocean starts to hit Penghu through March. It is a difficult time for outdoor activities. Even the local population gets halved during this time as they move out of the island to another city.

I know it looks ridiculous. But this is how I dressed on a scooter, just like the mannequin at the Penghu Living Museum. Take tips from the locals to protect yourself from Penghu’s sun and wind.

Pro tip : Regardless of the season, Penghu has strong sunshine and wind all year round, compared to the main island of Taiwan. I strongly recommend wearing long sleeves or windbreaker after thoroughly applying sunscreen, especially if you plan to ride a scooter.

How to Get to Penghu

Penghu is easily accessible by flights from Taipei (Songshan Airport), Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kinmen. Eva Air operates domestic Uni Airways in these routes to Penghu’s main Magong Airport (MGZ). I recommend taking a flight as it is more efficient and reliable transportation means while being affordable. Book your flight directly on Uni Air website here . 

Taipei to Penghu : Note that the domestic flight flies from the Songshan Airport in the Taipei city. It only takes about 45 minutes.

Kaohsiung to Penghu : In mid-April, I paid about $3,000 NT (roughly USD 100) for a round trip ticket. It’s a short 35 min ride from Kaohsiung Airport.

If you prefer to take a ferry, you can use two ports: Kaohsiung or Chiayi (Budai Harbor). The service can be canceled any time depending on the weather condition. In winter, only Taihwa Boat on the Kaohsiung – Penghu route is in operation. One way trip takes about four hours. For more info, click here . 

How to Get Around in Penghu

Once arriving on the Island, it’s best to rent a scooter. You have to bring an international driver’s license specifically for the motorcycle. Or, you can rent a car. If you are opting for a scooter, be sure to get a helmet for your safety (usually comes free). I used this scooter rental service [ click here for Google map ] and recommend it for offering exceptional service and reasonably new scooters.

Many homestays and hotels in Penghu provide complimentary airport shuttle services (see my Penghu Hotel recommendations below), and assist you with rental services. Contact your accommodation to ask in advance.

Where to Stay in Penghu

Penghu is undergoing a developing phase now; I witnessed lots of construction sites to build new hotels and bed & breakfast inns. You will have no problem finding newly constructed – or renovated – accommodations without breaking your bank. Many family-owned properties in Penghu are excellent choices; however, a lot of them are not star-rated. Don’t disregard just because a particular rental home has no stars on booking websites. (But do read reviews!)

Being on the main island of Penghu, Magong City ( 馬公市 ), Huxi ( 湖西鄉 ), Baisha ( 白沙鄉 ) and Xiyu ( 西嶼鄉 ) townships are all connected. Magong City is a popular area to stay on the Penghu Islands as it is the central place where the tourist services are concentrated. Many properties in Magong also feature the desirable harbor or ocean views.

Penghu Hotels in Magong

Discovery Hotel (5*) : New affordable luxury hotel with the harbor view from spacious, clean rooms and an outdoor swimming pool. Excellent location. Great for family and couple. Complimentary airport shuttle service and bike rentals. Check the availability and rates here: Booking &  Agoda

Four Points by Sheraton Penghu (*5) : Another five-star hotel with the harbor view. Family-friendly resort with an outdoor swimming pool and children’s playground. Complimentary airport shuttle service. Check the availability and rates here: Booking & Agoda

Laguna Villas & Resorts : Secluded villa with the beach view from a sun terrace and private bath. Perfect romantic getaway spot for couples. Complimentary airport shuttle service and breakfast. Check the availability and rates here: Booking & Agoda

Sky Square Business Travel : Brand new mid-range hotel near Penghu Living Museum. Complimentary airport shuttle and excellent breakfast. Check the availability and rates here: Booking & Agoda

Jia Li Li Hai Homestay : Well-decorated cozy bed & breakfast in Magong. Some units with a cute terrace. Complimentary airport shuttle and breakfast. Check the availability and rates here: Booking & Agoda  

Sea View Villa Penghu : Excellent location on the Shanshui beach. Modern, clean room with the sandy beach view. Complimentary airport shuttle service and breakfast. Check the availability and rates here: Booking & Agoda  

Bayhouse Hostel Penghu (3*) : Beachfront hostel with dormitory-style rooms and shared bath. Great for backpackers or a group of friends to share. Check the availability and rates here: Booking & Agoda

Does Penghu excite you but overwhelm you at the same time? Check out my sample itinerary for three perfect days in Penghu . Hope this helps you plan your dream trip!

Also, don’t forget to check out my recommendations for other islands in Taiwan:

>>  Xiaoliuqiu Island :  Swim with Sea Turtles

>> Orchid Island : A Diver’s Paradise with Unique Tao Indigenous Culture

>>  Kinmen Island :  Taiwan’s off-the-beaten destination with Military History, Kaoliang Liquor  and Ancient Architecture

>> Best Beaches in Taiwan : Thinking of a beach vacation? Check out my list of the most beautiful and unusual beaches.

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Hello, I'm Chloe!

I'm an aspiring world traveler, who moved across the Pacific Ocean twice. After leaving my PR career, I'm currently exploring Asia from Taiwan and learning Chinese. Follow my journey as I will share my travel experiences, tips & tricks and cultural insights.

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A 2024 Guide to Penghu Islands, Taiwan’s Offshore Paradise

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Penghu (澎湖) is a collection of islands in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and China. It is also called the Penghu Islands, Penghu Archipelago, and Pescadores Islands. Penghu County is one of Taiwan’s 13 counties and is made up of around 90 islands.

Penghu is an incredibly special place. Consider this list of fun things to do in Penghu: a months-long fireworks festival, more temples per capital than any county in Taiwan (including the country’s oldest!), the best beaches in Taiwan , traditional houses made of coral, volcanic basalt columns, heart-shaped fish weirs, snorkelling in fields of lavender coral, windsurfing, island hoping, and so much more. Penghu also has a uniquely dry, windswept landscape with cacti that are used to make delicious ice cream.

I’ve been to Penghu three times: with my wife, with my sister, and with my kids and Taiwanese family. It is one of my absolute favorite places in Taiwan and my top choice when it comes to the offshore islands of Taiwan .

I’ve spend countless hours researching and exploring the islands, and I would go again in a heartbeat. Instead of writing multiple guides to Penghu (itinerary, activities, places to visit, getting there, where to stay, what to eat, tours, and more), I’ve decided to put it all together in this enormous (you might even call it the “ultimate”) Penghu guide!

Speaking of offshore islands in Taiwan, also see my guides to Orchid Island , Xiaoliuqiu , and Cijin !

Table of Contents

When to Visit Penghu

The best time to visit Penghu is in spring , summer , or early autumn , from April to September . In my opinion, April, May , June and September are the best months to visit Penghu. May and June have the Penghu International Fireworks Festival but are also quite busy as a result.

July and August are the busiest time to visit Penghu. But the heat in summer in Penghu can be overbearing. Because the islands are mostly flat and there aren’t many trees, there is little shade to escape from the sun.

Penghu is actually one of the few places in Taiwan where I’ve ever got a bad sunburn. Most things to do in Penghu are outdoors, not to mention that the main way to get around is by scooter, on which you are totally exposed.

I highly recommend bringing strong sunscreen and thin but long-sleeved shirt and long pants for riding around.      

It is not recommended to visit Penghu in winter , from October to Marc h . At this time, the archipelago experiences unusually strong wind because there are no hills or trees to stop it. I’ve heard the wind can be strong enough to knock people over when they are riding scooters. One exception is if you are going to Penghu specifically for windsurfing.

Learn more in guide to the best time to visit Taiwan .

Getting to Penghu

One of the most convenient aspects of visiting Penghu is that there are regular flights every day from several cities in Taiwan. All of these flights land in Magong (MZG), the capital city of Penghu county.

You may want to consider a package deal to Penghu. These are generally cheaper than buying each item individually.

You can also get to Penghu by ferry from the mainland of Taiwan. But just like the ferry rides to any of Taiwan’s offshore islands, the journey can be rough, and seasickness is common among passengers.

Package Deals

While I’m not normally a “package deal” kind of traveler, both Penghu and Green Island in Taiwan have some high value package deals. In fact, most Taiwanese people purchase such packages when they visit the islands, and there are numerous travel agents in Taiwan offering them. These deals include, at the minimum, a return flight from Taipei’s city center Songshan Airport and a hotel in Penghu.

The main benefit of these packages is that you can score a room in a fancier hotel for a much lower price than what you would pay for your flight and room separately. The only downside is that almost all packages are only for 2d1n or 3d1n. The last time we went, I really wanted to stay for 3 nights, because I feel 2 nights simply isn’t enough, but there were no such packages.

This package deal includes flight and a stay at Penghu Sheraton Hotel . This deal includes a stay at the similarly luxurious Discovery Hotel (澎澄飯店). Both hotels overlook the main harbor in Magong.

For budget travelers, this deal includes a stay at Yuantai Hotel (元泰大飯店), scooter rental, return flights, and a hot pot dinner. This even cheaper deal includes return ferry tickets, 2 nights accommodation, and scooter rental.

Taipei to Penghu

Between Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air (sometimes operated by sister airline Tigerair Taiwan), the two main airlines flying to Penghu, there are over a dozen daily flights from Taipei ’s city-center Songshan Airport to Penghu. Being able to fly from Songshan Airport is extra convenient because you can even take the Taipei MRT to get there.

The flight from Taipei to Magong takes exactly one hour. This means you could be on a beach in Penghu faster than if you took the High Speed Rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung!

The price for a return flight is usually just under TWD 5000 or US$160. You can usually get a discounted price if you book your Taipei to Penghu flight here on KKday .

From other cities

Besides Taipei, both Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air have direct flights from Taichung and Kaohsiung to Penghu. Uni Air also has direct Penghu flights from Chiayi, Tainan , and Kinmen island.

Another option is to go to Penghu by ferry. This way is cheaper than flying, but takes much longer and is less comfortable. I’ve taken the ferry to Penghu once, and while I was fine, my sister suffered from seasickness the whole way.

Several ferry companies run ferries from Budai Passenger Port in Chiayi (the county famous for Alishan National Forest Recreation Area ) to Magong. The journey takes around 1.5 hours and costs approximately TWD 2000 (return) or 1000 (one-way). You can buy tickets here or here . Tickets aren’t available in winter.

For anyone who experiences seasickness, you’ll want to think twice about this option. Or, at the very least, make sure to buy some seasickness medication (暈車藥) from a local pharmacy before you go. Another challenge is that you’ll have to find your way to Budai, which can take upwards of two hours to reach from Chiayi city by bus, or 45 minutes by taxi. From Chiayi’s Hight Speed Rail station, it’s only 35 minutes in a cab. But if you’re going to splurge on an HSR ride (see my Taiwan HSR guide ), why not just fly to Penghu?

There are also ferries all the way from Kaohsiung, but it can take a whopping 4 hours to get there. I don’t recommend it!

Where to Stay in Penghu

Staying in Magong, the capital of Penghu, is the most convenient because you’ll have access to all the restaurants and sights in town (which I’ll cover in detail below). Magong is also where ferry tours depart for the southern island-hopping tours (but not the northern or eastern ones). You can also visit Rainbow Bridge and a small beach near it on foot from town.

By booking package deals like this one or this one , you can stay at some of the best hotels in Magong for a reasonable price. The first one includes a stay at Shertaton Penghu while the second includes Discovery Hotel . Both of these are on Magong Harbor in Magong.

Booking on your own, for a cool B&B conveniently located by Tianhou Temple on the highly atmospheric Zhongyang Old Street (I’ll cover those below), I recommend Penhu’s Peace Hotel (see on Booking / TripAdvisor ). For a budget option, try Nice Hostel (see on Booking / Agoda ).

If you want to stay closer to a beach rather than in Magong, I recommend Sea View Villa (see on Booking / Agoda ) on Shanshui Beach.

If you spend some time searching, you’ll find there is a huge number of accommodations in Penghu. We’ve stayed in Magong and found it pretty convenient, but we’ve also stayed in small guesthouses 5-10 minutes’ drive outside of town because they were included in our package deal (purchased through a Taiwanese travel agent). Because we had scooters, we found that staying out of town wasn’t a big deal.   

Events and Activities in Penghu

There are some special events and activities that Penghu is especially known for.

Penghu International Fireworks Festival

From spring till summer every year (in 2024 it will be from May 2 to July 30), the Penghu International Fireworks Festival draws major crowds.

When we saw the fireworks in 2022, the display was about 50% lit up drones (an increasing trend for such events in Taiwan) and 50% fireworks. Oh, and it was sponsored by Taiwan’s famous and universally used LINE app, hence the bear in the photo that any LINE user will be familiar with.

The fireworks and drones display takes place every Monday and Thursday (May and June) and every Tuesday (July) at 9 PM above Guanyinting Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge in Magong. There are also some additional Saturday shows (June 1, June 15, July 28) at different locations in the Penghu archipelago.  

Island Hopping by Scooter

My favorite thing to do in Penghu is to just hop on a scooter and explore the four main islands, which are all connected by bridges. If your package deal ( like this one ) doesn’t already include a scooter, you can rent one here . An IDP with motorcycle endorsement (A stamp) or Taiwanese license is required. You can also rent a car on Penghu , which is a good way to stay out of the sun.

Note: A few travelers in my Taiwan Travel Planning group have reported that in Magong, even with proper ID, scooter shops there wouldn’t rent to any foreigners. If you face this issue, you can ask you hotel to rent one for you. On the smaller islands (for example ones you visit on a boat tour, with some time for explore by scooter), you should have no issue.

If you have two or more days in Penghu, I recommend spending at least one day touring the main islands by scooter or car, and spending your other day doing a boat island-hopping tour (see next entry) or other activities. If you don’t have a license, you can go by private tour like this one or this one .  

I’ll cover all the places to visit on your driving tour in the “things to do in Penghu” section below.

Island Hopping Boat Tours

If you want to visit some of the smaller islands in the archipelago, which include some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Taiwan, you’ll need to join an island hopping boat tour. These are generally full-day tours that include several stops and activities.

These tours vary quite a bit. Some like this one take you directly to one or more, where you rent a scooter and drive around on your own. Some like this one include activities like snorkelling at so-called “secret/paradise” locations. And some like this one include thrilling Taiwanese beach activities like getting pulled around on a “banana boat”, jet skiing (no, they won’t let you drive), and jumping off a platform or sliding down a slide into the sea (yes, you’ll have to wear a life jacket). Nighttime squid fishing tours are also popular among locals

Any hotel in Penghu can arrange you a spot on one of these tours. It’s a good idea to find out exactly what the tour includes and make sure that’s what you want. For those who get seasick, bring medication. And if you’re visiting when it’s really hot (which is most of the time in Penghu), these tours can be a long and tiring day.

I’ll be describing all of these tours and where they go in more detail in the “outer islands” section at the end of the article.

Snorkelling and other Water Activities

While some of the island hopping tours include snorkelling, the quality is not great. If you’ve never tried snorkelling before, it would be a good introduction to the activity. But if you have done it elsewhere, you may be disappointed.

On this snorkeling tour , you can mail a postcard from an underwater mailbox (actually, the instructor will do it for you, because it’s deep underwater). This one is also best for beginners.

This snorkelling and sightseeing tour includes one of the best snorkelling sites in Penghu, the so-called “Lavender Forest”. This one is NOT disappointing, but it still won’t compare if you’ve ever been snorkelling in, say, Australia or Indonesia.

Other water-based activities in Penghu include SUP , sailing , kayaking , and this overnight small island camping trip with snorkeling .

Places to Visit in Penghu

Starting in Magong, we’ll then travel out of the city around Huxi Island (the “main island” where Magong is located, then to the three other main islands: Zhongtun, Baisha, and Xiyu, which are connected by bridges.

In the final section below, I’ll cover places to visit on the smaller islands of Penghu, which can only be reached by boat.   

Things to do in Magong

Magong is the capital city of Penghu and most of the county’s hotels and restaurants are situated there. Even if you aren’t staying in Magong, there are several worthwhile things to see and do there.

Penghu Tianhou Temple

Penghu Tianhou Temple (澎湖天后宮), also called Magong Mazu Temple, is widely considered Taiwan’s oldest temple. It likely dates to the 1400s, but was rebuilt in the 1500s and largely renovated in 1922. The temple is dedication to Matsu (Tianhou), goddess of fisherman and the sea. “Ma Temple” is the origin of the city’s name, “Magong”, and the city was built up around the temple.

The temple is free to enter and has a front, middle, and back section. There is protective scaffolding over part of the temple. The small lanes near the temple (see next entry) are worth exploring.  

Zhongyang Old Street

The neighborhood around Magong Temple is the most atmospheric in the city. From the courtyard in front of Tianhou Temple, a narrow alley leads to Zhongyang Old Street (馬公中央老街), the most beautifully preserved lane.

The atmosphere is a bit touristy, but the lane is undeniably picturesque. Follow the lane to Four Eyed Well (四眼井), a centuries-old well with four distinctively round holes for collecting water.  Near the old street, have a look at 舊郵便局, a dark green Japanese-era post office building.

Guanyinting and Rainbow Bridge

One of the most iconic sights of Penghu is Xiying Rainbow Bridge (西瀛虹橋), a pedestrian-only bridge across a human-made bay on the west side of Magong.

The bay-side area is called Guanyinting (觀音亭親水遊憩區), or Guanyin Pavillion, named after the ancient Guanyin Temple (澎湖觀音亭) there. The temple is famous for its pair of stone lions. The temple was under renovation when we last visited.

This area is the main viewing location of the Penghu International Fireworks festival. It’s also a pleasant spot for a waterside stroll or even a swim. There’s also a large playground for children.   

Duxing Ten Villages and Jinguitou Fort

Traveling by scooter, it’s worth driving up to the peninsula just south of Guanyinting. If you’re coming from the south side of Magong, you’ll drive through the impressive Shuncheng Gate (順承門) on the way up.

At the top of the hill is Duxing Ten Villages (篤行十村). This is a collection of old military dorms turned into arts village. There are some cute little cafes and an old fashioned toy train ride for kids. The village also includes Pan An Pang Memorial (潘安邦紀念館), for a Taiwanese singer who was born in the area and died in 2013, and Chang Yu Sheng Memorial (張雨生故事館), also dedicated to a late Taiwanese singer.

Further up past Duxing, you’ll reach Penghu Juguang New Village (澎湖莒光新村), another collection of military dorms. Most are closed, but you can actually stay in one of them, called 貝富門旅館 . You can see Rainbow Bridge and the new giant Penghu Matsu Statue from here, so it’s actually a popular spot for viewing the Penghu International Fireworks display.

Just past Juguang New Village, and at the tip of the peninsula, is Jinguitou Fort (馬公金龜頭砲臺文化園區). The fort has origins going all the way back to the Kingdom of Tungning (1661-1683) and was rebuilt in 1864. It offers good views in all directions, but has limited opening hours (Wed to Sun 9 AM to noon and 2-5 PM, closed Mon, Tues and national holidays).

Magong Harbor

The large Magong Harbor (馬公漁港) is just east of Magon’s city center. Several large, upscale hotels are built around the harbor, including Ya-Ling and Four Points by Sheraton . Inside the Sheraton, the Starbucks Sheraton Penghu (星巴克–澎湖喜來登門市) is considered one of the “special” Starbucks of Taiwan, as it features Penghu and ocean-inspired designs.

Beside the harbor, you will also find Pier 3三號港 , which is a modern department store that also contains the Penghu Whisky Museum (昇恆昌Whisky 101威士忌博物館). Penghu Living Museum (澎湖生活博物館), the best museum dedicated to Penghu’s history and culture, is also nearby.

Ferries for the southern small islands of Penghu, including Wang’an and Qimei (where the famous twin heart weir, the cover photo of this article, is located) usually depart from Magong Nanhai Wharf (馬公南海碼頭) in front of Nanhai Visitor’s Center (南海遊客中心).

Last but not least, Penghu Fish Market is the best place to see fresh fish and seafood being sold fresh off the boat in the early morning. It’s also a popular spot for local street cats, as you can see in the below photo.

Beichen Public Market

Beichen Market (北辰市場)  is the largest local market in Penghu. This is where locals go to purchase fresh produce, seafood, and other foot items. There are also baked items, noodles, soup, and sushi stalls, so it’s a good place to go for a cheap meal.

The market is open all day, but it’s busiest from 8 AM to noon. It is located directly north of Magong Harbor.

Penghu Matsu Statue

A brand new attraction in Penghu (opened late 2022) is this enormous Matsu Statue (重光媽祖銅像) about 5 minutes’ drive north of Magong. The statue is a whopping 48 meters tall, making it the world’s tallest bronze statue of the goddess.

The statue overlooks the huge bay formed by the four main islands of Penghu. You can also see it from Rainbow Bridge and Jinguitou Fort (where the above photo was shot) to the south. Fun fact: there’re also huge statues of Matsu in Anping, Tainan and on Nangan (Matsu) Island.

What to Eat in Magong

There are four main specialties that Penghu is famous for: seafood, cactus ice cream (仙人掌冰淇淋), pumpkin vermicelli noodles (澎湖金瓜米粉), and brown sugar cake (黑糖糕). Magong is the best place to find these, and has by far the most restaurants and places to eat in the archipelago.

Outside of Magong, we mostly ate or got drinks at 7-Elevens and FamilyMarts!

For seafood, there isn’t as much of it in Magong and across Penghu as you would expect. Most of Penghu’s catches are actually sent to the mainland of Taiwan.  

The quintessential eating experience that almost every group of Taiwanese visitors does in Penghu is to dine at one of the many open-air DIY BBQ restaurants . If you’re used to Taipei-style BBQ joints, this will definitely be a few steps less classy. 澎湖大姐自助碳烤廣場 is one of several on the main road near Guanyinting.

Blessed Oyster Restaurant (福牡蠣屋) in town has every oyster dish you can imagine. This includes steamed oysters, oyster noodles, oyster sushi, deep fried oysters, oyster omelets, and more.

For quick fry style dining (more suitable for groups), there are a few popular seafood restaurants on Magong harbor, such as 臨海樓海鮮料理 and 華珍活海鮮 and 澎漁宴生猛海鮮.

If you’re looking for a quirky experience, 阿家生蠔 on the coast five minutes’ drive north of Magong is a one-grandpa show that claims to be open 24 hrs (he’ll wake up at any time of day or night if you book him). He does fresh oysters, shrimp, and sea urchin. Seating is plastic chairs on top of a rubble-strewn parking lot, and every Taiwanese reviewer mentions that he is funny/crazy.

Cactus Ice Cream and Other Treats

Penghu’s famous cactus shaved ice and cactus ice cream are made from the native Penghu elephant ear prickly pear (澎湖紅蘋果仙人掌, usually just abbreviated to xianrenzhang or 仙人掌). The cacti are small and vibrantly purple on the inside.

Penghue Cactus Ice City (澎湖仙人掌冰城) For a no-frills cup of cactus slushy topped with cactus ice cream, I recommend this corner shop in Beichen Temple Night Market. The shop also has some special herbal drinks like aloe jelly with honey (蜂蜜蘆薈) and chilled fengru tea (野生風茹茶), made with a medicinal herb found only in Penghu.

23.5° Cactus Ice Cream (235掌上明珠仙人掌冰淇淋) does a pimped up version of cactus ice cream, including cactus flavored pearls, seaweed flavored shaved ice, cactus ice cream floats, and more (see photo above). It’s at the far south end of town, but has limited hours.

Chinese Mesona (玉冠嫩仙草) is an iced dessert shop that is incredibly popular among Taiwanese visitors. They don’t do cactus but rather shaved ice with traditional toppings, including black mesona (grass jelly). It is near Magong Harbor.

If you’re looking for a fancy cocktail, including cactus margaritas or giant cocktail bowls for groups, Sunla is a short drive north of Magong. The vibe is pretentious and we were turned away without a reservation, even though every table in the place was empty. It’s pricey.  

Pumpkin Vermicelli

In local noodle shops, you can find vermicelli noodles served with steamed pumpkin (金瓜米粉). Healthy! Just plug the Mandarin name of the fish into GoogleMaps and you can find half a dozen small shops in town serving it.

Brown Sugar Cake

Every destination in Taiwan has its own local “famous” snack or specialty to take home. In Penghu, that would be brown sugar cake (黑糖糕 or heitang gao ). It has a chewy texture and is very similar to the brown sugar cake you can find in Hakka communities in northern Taiwan.

After some research before our trip, my Taiwanese sister-in-law concluded that 三岳黑糖糕 has the best brown sugar cake in Penghu.

盛興製餅舖 in Beichen Temple Night market is a more popular and convenient place to buy it. You can also find it in shops around Tianhou Temple.

Penghu Night Markets in Magong

Sadly both of Magong’s night markets are basically dead. Wenao Zushi Temple Night Market (文澳祖師廟幸福小夜市) used to be the largest, but there’s almost nothing left of it.

Beichen Temple Night Market (北辰宮夜市), which I’ve mentioned a few times above, is hardly better. It’s just a normal street with some restaurants, teashops, and only a few food stalls that can’t even keep up with the demand. When we tried to order sticks of BBQ items from one stall, the stall owner said the wait was 45 minutes!

In other words, don’t have any high hopes for night markets in Penghu. Instead, save you night market hopping for these ones in Kaohsiung , Tainan , Taichung , or Taipei .

Things to do around Huxi Island

Huxi Island (湖西島) is the largest of the main islands of Penghu. Magong is located at the island’s western end, while the airport is roughly in the middle of the island.

Penghu’s most popular beaches are on the island, along with several other sights worth visiting. I recommend spending one of your days in Penghu touring these sights on Huxi Island and the other three main islands (see the following section below), ideally by car, scooter, or private tour .

Aimen Beach

Aimen Beach (隘門沙灘, literally “Narrow Beach”, although it is quite wide) is the most popular beach in Penghu. It’s an expansive stretch of golden-white sand with designated swimming areas. The beach is close to the Penghu Airport and is about 15 minutes by scooter from Magong.

A lot of watersports are done here, including the ubiquitous banana boats that every Taiwanese is familiar with, as well as jet skiing, kayaking, offshore water play parks, and more. Music is pumped out from the food stand. If you’re looking for a quiet beach to yourself, avoid this one.

If you need beer, pick it up from the 7-11 on the main highway on your way to the beach.

Just past Aimen, Lintou Beach (林投金沙灘) is a quieter alternative to Aimen Beach. Between the highway and Lintou Beach, I recommend a food stall called Lintou Park Fried Fish (林投公園炸魚).

Hidden away around a corner, the auntie here serves traditional deep fried rice cakes, yam, fish, oyster balls with fresh shrimp, and more. It was one of our best finds on Penghu.  

Shanshui Beach

Shanshui Beach (山水沙灘) is a good alternative to Magong, for anyone looking to stay in a small seaside village rather than the city. The long, golden sand beach is decent for swimming, but it does get deep rather quickly. It is less busy that Aimen and there’s no bumpin’ music here.

You can also walk up to Shanshui 30 Park (山水30公園)  via some coastal caves (山水吼洞). The Garden Tapas and Bar (菜宅裡的小酒館) in town has been recommended to us by friends, and we’ve dined at 澎湖山水夏日, one of the DIY BBQ places along the main road just off the beach.

Near Shanshui Beach, in the village of Suogang, there are two large stone towers (石塔). These were traditionally built all over Penghu to ward off bad spirits. The pair in Suogang are the largest in Penghu.

They are marked 鎖港南鎮風塔 and 鎖港北石塔 on GoogleMaps, and I marked them on the Penghu map I created above.

Shili Beach & Fongguei Cave

Further west down the coast from Shanshui Beach, Shili Beach (嵵裡沙灘) is truly remote. The beach is smaller and almost non-existent at high tide. When my sister and I visited Penghu, we spent a whole afternoon on this beach and never saw another soul.   

From Shili Beach, you can continue to the end of the island to visit Fongguei Cave (風櫃洞 or Feng Gui Cave), which is known for making whistling sound when wind blows through it.

Kuibishan and Moses Divides the Sea

It’s a bit of drive, but at the opposite end of Huxi Island from Magong, Kuibishan (奎壁山) had become all the rage for Taiwanese visitors to Penghu. They come to see the dramatically named “Moses Parts the Sea” (摩西分海) phenomenon.

Every day at high tide, a sand bar leading out to Chi Yu (赤嶼 or Chi Island) gets exposed. If you time it right, you can see the sand bar gradually shrink into a winding path from the shore to the island. We DIDN’T time it well, so when we got there, the sand bar was very wide and didn’t look like anything special. We came back later, and saw what you see in the above photo – still not as cool as when it gets even narrower and then disappears.

I wish we had known about this table showing the exact times that the sea will separate (分海) to expose the trail and come back together again (合海) to make the trail disappear. For the former, you’d want to stick around after that time to watch it get bigger. For the latter, you’d want to come a good 30 min to 1 hr before so you don’t miss it and so you have time to walk out on it before they begin stopping people.

Things to Do on the Other Main Islands

From the northern end of Huxi Island, a bridge crosses to small Zhongtun Island (中屯島) which has little more to see than a collection of towering Wind Turbines (中屯風車). The road then crosses another bridge to much larger Baisha Island (白沙島 or White Sand Island).

Heading north and then west, Baisha Island connects to Xiyu Island (西嶼) via Penghu Great Bridge, the longest bridge in all of Taiwan.

Baoding Temple, Baisha

Baoding Temple (保定宮) is a smaller version of the larger Tongliang Great Banyan (see below). It is a temple whose courtyard has been covered with a canopy formed by the roots of a large banyan tree.

It’s right at the turnoff for Penghu Aquarium, so you can’t miss it.

Penghu Aquarium, Baisha

We took our kids to Penghu Aquarium (澎湖水族館) with no expectations, but were pleasantly surprised. We spent a good couple hours inside (a great escape from the relentless sun!) marvelling at marine creatures, including horseshoe and spider crabs, moray eels, cow fish, lion fish, octopi, and more.

There was a treasure hunt for kids, and they were able to touch real starfish. We would recommend a visit!

Just past Penghu Aquarium is Qitou Wharf (岐頭碼頭), where ferries depart for eastern island tours. For ferries to Jibei Island to the north, you’ll have to head up to Chikan Wharf (赤崁碼頭).

Penghu Houliao Paradise Road, Baisha

We took a chance on this little attraction we noticed marked on GoogleMaps called Penghu Houliao Paradise Road (澎湖後寮天堂路). Just like “Moses Parts the Sea”, you came here basically to shoot a photo and that’s it, but unlike the Moses one, there’s nobody here.

Basically all that’s here is a long cement dock that winds out into the city. It’s a great photo op, though. We visited at low tide, but at high tide, the water comes right up to or even covers it a little, which could make for even cooler photos.

You have to drive through some very narrow countryside lanes to find it. Scooters aren’t allowed for the final 500 meters or so of the paved trail down to the water, which my kids hated me for (it was an extremely hot day).  

Tongliang Great Banyan, Baisha

A truly unique and must-see attraction in Penghu is the Tongliang Great Banyan (通樑古榕). A huge canopy of banyan tree roots has over the years been painstakingly formed over the large courtyard in front of the Taosit Tongliang Bao’an Temple (通梁保安宮).

This is a popular spot, so there are usually souvenir stalls and several shops selling cactus ice cream around the temple.

Penghu Great Bridge

Penhu Great Bridge (澎湖跨海大橋), which connects Baisha and Xiyu islands, is the longest bridge in Taiwan, at 2494 meters.

No Taiwanese dares scootering across the bridge without first stopping to take a mandatory jumping photo in front of the white arch at the bridge’s entrance on the Baisha side. The arch has become a symbol of Penghu.

Xiyu Island Statues

After crossing the Penghu Great Bridge to Xiyu (西嶼 or Xi Island), one of the first things you’ll notice is the abundance of large, colorful, often comical statues on the island.

Yuwengdao Statue (漁翁島銅像), a large fish statue just off the bridge, and Xiyu Landmark, a giant colorful ship (西嶼地標) are even marked on GoogleMaps. We also saw statues of a whale, octopus, fisherman, peanut, and more.

Whale Cave, Shomon Island

Whale Cave is a coastal cliff that looks like a whale, with an eye hole cut out by crashing waves from the sea. It’s on the northern tip of Xiaomen Islet (小門嶼 or Shomon Island), a small island accessed by a very short bridge from the northern tip of Xiyu.

Seeing it requires a 15-minute (round-trip) drive from the main highway.   

Zhuwan Dayi Temple, Xiyu

I am so happy to report that Zhuwan Dayi Temple (竹灣大義宮) on Xiyu has finally released its collection of giant sea turtles, which for many years it controversially held captive in a tiny, underground area below the temple.

We were horrified when we first visited this temple years ago. According to recent reviews, the turtles have finally been handed over to the government to be released to the sea. If you visit today, you can see turtle statues out front, and there’s a small crab museum (竹灣螃蟹博物館) next door.

You don’t need to go out of your way for this, but I’m just including it so I can update everyone about this positive outcome to what was once an unethical tourist attraction on Penghu.

Erkan Historic Village

Make sure you leave time in your schedule to make it as far as Erkan Historic Village (二崁聚落保存區). This is one of the most unique places to visit in Penghu and Taiwan, and we really loved it.

Erkan is a small, traditional village built up around the Chen Family Historical House (二崁陳家古厝). But what sets it apart is that the outer walls and even parts of the houses themselves are built with coral and seashells, mainly due to the lack of building materials in Penghu.

You can actually see coral walls all over Penghu, but Erkan is the best example of them. Houses in the village have been restored and beautified with paintings and other artworks. Some of them house cute little snack and ice cream shops. It’s an incredibly atmospheric and photogenic setting, perfect if you’re looking for a photography location.

At the turnoff on the highway for Erkan Historic Village, 可口冰城 is a traditional drink and ice cream shop, one of the few places you can stop along the highway for a treat that’s NOT 7-Eleven or Family Mart.

Daguoyue Columnar Basalt

There are several places where you can see Penghu’s basalt columns, some of the most unique natural landmarks in Taiwan . These were formed by a process in which lava rose and then cooled multiple times, forming layers of stone is vertical columns.

Daguoyue Columnar Basalt (池東大菓葉玄武岩) is the most popular spot in Penghu to observe this special geological landmark. A small pond at the base of the columns helps for capturing more interesting photos.

Don’t miss the lesser known Three Stone Walls (三石壁) with similar cliffs beside a pond, just two minutes away. There’s another less visited area of basalt columns further north on the island called Dachi Columnar Basalt (大池火山頸玄武岩), near the aptly named Dream Beach (夢幻沙灘).

You can also expect to see basalt columns on island hopping boar tours, especially to the southern islands.

Chixi Rock Waterfall

Even more basalt columbs can be seen at Chixi Rock Waterfall (池西岩瀑 / 九孔瀑布), so named because when viewed from the coast below, the columns of stone appear to spill down like a waterfall.

We actually found this site more interesting than Daguoyue because you can also explore the group of stone weirs just off the shore. Unlike the famous heart-shaped weirs, these are rectangular in shape. You can walk ride on them when the tide is low enough and peer at the fish trapped inside.

Chixi Tiger Eye Weir

On our most recent trip, we were excited to find this smaller version of the famous Twin Hearts Stone Weir on Qimei Island, which I had been to before but my companions wouldn’t have a chance to visit.

In this case, the weir is just shaped like a single heart or, according to the name (池西虎目滬), a tiger’s eye (?) Anyway, this one is really cool because, unlike the much more famous twin hearts on Qimei, which you view from a cliff far above, this one you can actually walk on and see all the fish inside.

The weir is located on the western side of a bay just below Chixi Rock Waterfall. The bay also has a nice beach that usually has nobody on it.  

Yuwengdao Lighthouse

If you’ve made it this far on Xiyu, you might want to consider going all the way to the end. Yuwengdao Lighthouse / Xiyu Lighthouse (漁翁島燈塔 / 西嶼燈塔) is a small lighthouse on a military base on the southwestern tip of Xiyu.

This is the westernmost point on the main islands of Penghu, and the furthest away from Magong you can get by scooter/car. We recommend coming here for sunset at the end of your day tour, like we did. But please keep in mind that it will be a long drive, mostly in the dark, all the way back to Magong. Budget about an hour to drive back by scooter.

Things to Do on the Outer Islands

With nearly 100 islands in total, there are all kinds of small island-hopping tours available from Penghu. You can pre-book them via the links below, or any hotel can arrange one for you (you’ll need to ask lots of questions to get the full itinerary).

I must warn any readers who are from Western countries or who have traveled a lot or done lots of water activities before. If your tour includes any water sports, be prepared to be treated like a child. You must wear a life jacket for snorkeling or jumping into the ocean, even if you don’t need it. You must wear a lifejacket and helmet (no idea why…) for getting pulled around on the banana boats. Expect many rules like this.

You’ll need to exercise some patience and keep in mind that many Taiwanese can’t swim or haven’t done these kinds of things before, so the tour operators have to take many precautions. Some tours also include some unusual (or environmentally questionable) activities – see the Eastern Island tours section below.    Most of the Penghu Island hopping tours fall under the three below categories.

Southern Islands Tour

If you’re looking for a tour where you just go directly to islands for sightseeing on your own (with minimal watersports and other frills), I recommend a southern islands tour. However, the time on the boat is the longest of the three categories, so it can be rough for those who experience seasickness. It can be a long, hot day on the boat.

These tours usually depart from Magong Nanhai Wharf (馬公南海碼頭) in Magong Harbor, so these are most convenient if you don’t have a scooter/car.

Almost all of them include Qimei Island (sometimes spelled Chimei), where you can ride a scooter or bus to see the famous Twin Hearts Stone Weir (七美雙心石滬), perhaps the most recognizable and iconic sight in all of Penghu, as well as Little Taiwan (小台灣), a flat rock shelf that looks like the shape of Taiwan from above. Note that there may be an extra fee for the bus or scooter rental.

This boat tour ONLY goes to Qimei, with the option to add snorkeling or kayaking. This boat tour includes Qimei, Blue Cave (北岸海蝕洞) on Xiji Island (西吉嶼), and a stop on Dongji Island (東吉嶼). If you prefer to just go it alone, this deal includes a ferry ride to Wang’an or Qimei plus scooter rental when you get there.

Most tours include driving past basalt columns at Tongpan Geology Park (桶盤地質公園) and similar ones (虎井澄淵) on Hujing Island (虎井嶼), also called Table Island. Some, like this one , actually stop on this island, which is nicknamed “ Cat Island ” for its many cats. It has also a famous white statue of two hands. But this tour does NOT go to the famous Twin Hearts Stone Weir on Qimei.

Other tours stop at Wang’an Island (望安島), which is the fourth largest island in Penghu and has several smaller points of interest.

Island hopping tours like this one , this one and this one include snorkeling in the “ Lavender Forest ” (薰衣草森林), which is just an exaggerated name for a spot that has lots of purple coral near Dongyuping Island (東嶼坪嶼). It is, however, one of the best snorkelling spots in Penghu.

This overnight tour includes camping on Jinguazi Reef (金瓜仔礁), which is a tiny island off Wang’an, and which in local tour descriptions is always called Wangyou Island or “Forget your worries island” (忘憂島), a name the tour companies made up. They always say it is a “secret” location and don’t mention the island’s real name (Jingauzi). Sorry if I spoiled it!

Eastern Islands Tour

A collection of small islands lie to the east of Penghu and are accessed by ferry from Qitou Wharf (岐頭碼頭) on Baisha Island. You’ll need to get to the wharf by yourself for these tours – budget at least 20 minutes to get there by scooter from Magong. I recommend these tours for people who like more activities.

When we did a tour essentially the same as this one or this one , I found that that the day was unnecessarily long, with lots of time spent waiting around. There was even a designated nap time after lunch (totally common in Taiwan, even for adults).

The tour also had some bizarre/questionable activities, like throwing pieces of raw fish up in the air from the boat for seagulls to catch in the sky. We sailed past a few basalt cliffs and islets inhabited by birds, then stopped at Bird Island (鳥嶼 or Niaoyu, also called Cho Island) for lunch and snorkelling.

After snorkelling (which was mediocre quality), we went “wildlife watching”, which consisted of them showing us several sea creatures they’d captured and placed in a shallow pool for tourists to look at. The guide even picked the sea creatures up out of the water with his hands for people to photograph. 

So why did I take this tour? Well, I badly wanted to visit Peng Peng Beach (澎澎灘), which is a tiny island consisting of a long strip of white sand that supposed just appeared out of the ocean one day after a typhoon. You can see it from the mainland around Qitou Wharf, and I had wanted to go ever since I saw it on a previous trip to Penghu, when I shot the below photo of it from afar.

Peng Peng Island was as beautiful as I’d imagined. We spend about 2 hours there, as this is where they did several water activities, like banana boats, waterslide, and jumping into the ocean from a floating platform. There was a large sitting area with a large canopy (crucial because it was brutally hot) and drinks for sale.

Northern Islands Tour

To the north of Penghu’s main islands lies Jibei Island (吉貝嶼, which also means Bird Island) and a few other smaller islands. To go on a boat tour to these islands, you’ll need to get to Chikan Wharf (赤崁碼頭), which is further north on Baishan Island. Budget at least 30 minutes by scooter from Magong.

I’ve never tour a Jibei tour (the above photo is a stock photo), but it looks similar to the Eastern Islands tour I described above. This tour includes stops on Jibei and a few smaller islands, with water activities. The main highlight of visiting Jibei is Jibei Sand Tail (吉貝沙尾頭), a land sandy spit at the southern tip of the island.

This deal includes options as just getting a ferry ticket to Jibei, ferry ticket plus scooter rental, or ferry ticket plus scooter rental and activities.

Thank you so much if you’ve made it to the end of this article. I know it was a big one! I considered separating it into several smaller posts, but here we are. Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about visiting Penghu!

Related Posts

12 thoughts on “A 2024 Guide to Penghu Islands, Taiwan’s Offshore Paradise”

My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Penghu Island at the end of April and we’re super excited!! This guide is really helpful. We’re a little confused about what we’d need to rent scooters on Penghu. Do we just need International Drivers Licenses, or do we specifically need International MOTORCYCLE licenses? We’re also open to renting a car, but it sounds like scooters are the way to go. Thank you! Katie

Scooters are definitely the way to go. Most of the time, IDP is enough. Most hotels can arrange scooter rentals there, so you could even contact your hotel and ask them if they can arrange it for you to be at the airport when you arrive, or they might pick you up at airport and have scooter ready for you at the hotel. Hotels will probably rent it on your behalf, and hotel owners are the least likely to care about this. I don’t think there’s an international motorcycle IDP (i might be wrong), but I’ve heard just one guy in Taiwan mention that a scooter rental shop wanted proof that he can ride a motorcycle, which he did by checking that person’s home country license to see if it had the correct class for riding motorcycles. I feel this is rare though, and shops on the offshore islands tend to be more chill than ones in bigger cities on the mainland.

Hi Nick, WOW – I just found your incredible block and I couldn`t stop reading last night, especially your writings about Taiwanese tea is incredible interesting to me. I am going to Taipei coming Monday March 6th, back to the place where I studied at the Mandarin Training Center way back in the eighties. I already bought a flight ticket to Penghu, and my question is, if it is possible or a good idea to stroll around with a bicycle? Best regards, many thanks for all your effort, Heinz

One thing to know is that Penghu is extremely windy in winter. March is the end of winter/start of spring in Taiwan, so it could still be a little windy, which could make cycling more difficult. But as long as the wind isn’t too bad, cycling around would be great. There’s is a fair bit to see and do around Magong, so I bike would be very handy. You can also make longer trips further from the city, such as to one of that island’s beaches. It would be quite far (but still possible) to cycle to the other main islands too. It’s mostly flat, so that helps!

Hi Nick! Thank you so much for this post. I’ll be a female solo travel. Don’t speak Mandarin. Is it easy to get around and safe? Thanks! Patricia

Taiwan and Penghu are extremely safe, including for solo female travelers. If you’ve got an driver’s permit (IDP or local taiwanese one), rent a scooter there, then GoogleMaps is all you need.

we want to go to Penghu, probably as soon as tomorrow, but sadly we don’t have an IDP. Do yo think it will still be possible to rent a (electric?) scooter?

You’re probably already gone, but sometimes on Taiwan’s small islands, you can still manage to if you ask your hotel to rent the scooter for you.

Hi Nick! Thanks so much for this helpful blog. For the day trip options listed here: https://www.kkday.com/en/product/126073?cid=7408 , it seems that there is a Stay Dry tour and a Purple Lavender Forest trip that includes snorkeling for an additional 1500ntd. Do you think it is possible to bring my own equipment to snorkel and still book the Stay Dry tour in order to take the ferry rides? Thanks!

I honestly can’t say for sure without being able to ask the operator. But from personal experience, I will guess that they won’t allow it. With these kinds of tours in taiwan, they tend to move the passengers around like animals, make them follow all the rules, and you can’t do anything by yourself. Even if you are super experienced at snorkeling (as I am), they won’t trust you to go by youself. For local guests (many of whom can barely swim and have no snorkeling experience) they use extreme safety, like making them hold on to ropes while snorkeling, pull them around like that, etc. Which is why I would only guess that they won’t be so lenient with you and just let you bring your own gear and go snorkeling as you wish. Maybe you could try to inqire directly with those local companies once you arrive in Penghu instead of booking it in advance?

Hi Nick, Thank you so much for the detailed info. Could you please tell me what the payment methods are in Penghu? Is credit card widely accepted in Penghu? Do I need to bring more cash?

Just like almost everywhere in Taiwan, most places don’t take credit cards, except maybe a few big hotels and restaurants. And even some that do, foreign credit cards sometimes don’t work. But there are several ATMs in Penghu so you can easily take out more cash there if needed. It’s not like Xiaoliuqiu where there’s only 1 ATM and it might not work.

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Taiwan Penghu Islands guide: How to get there, getting around and where to stay 澎湖

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on December 27, 2023

Categories Taiwan

Taiwan’s offshore islands are some of my favourite parts of Taiwan , and I finally managed to find my way to Penghu 澎湖 . Penghu actually refers to not a single island, but Taiwan’s largest clusters of islands located off its west coast. I visited solo and put together a little Penghu Islands guide for anyone else planning to visit soon.

This post covers more of the Penghu trip planning essential like how to get there, getting around where to stay. There will be more posts on things to do in various parts of Penghu eventually, like this Penghu Hidden Gems post with some alternative sites to the more touristy spots.

About my Penghu Islands trip

Where are the penghu islands located, airlines that fly to penghu islands, some tips for flying to penghu islands, by car / scooter, taiwan haoxing tourist shuttle bus, penghu accommodation booking tips, magong: catt leya b&b hotel, other magong accommodation options, penghu fireworks festival, have extra twd on hand, cover up from the sun and wind.

I travelled to the Penghu Islands in May 2023 and visited Xiaoliuqiu and the Matsu Islands as well. I spent 4 nights in Penghu based in the main Magong City and mostly travelled around solo on scooter, and took a day trip to the other offshore islands Wang’an and Qimei. I flew from Kaohsiung to Magong via Mandarin Airlines, and from Magong to Taipei Songshan via Uniair.

The Penghu Islands are located off the west coast of Taiwan where Chiayi is located.

Penghu is made up of many islands, some of the main ones to note:

• Magong 馬公 is the main island which is connected by land to Baisha 白沙 and Xiyu 西嶼 to the west and Huxi 湖西 to the right
• South Islands: Tongpan 桶盤, Hujing 虎井, Wang’an 望安, Qimei 七美
• North Islands: Jibei 吉貝
• East Islands

Not all the islands are inhabited, and not all can be visited.

How to get to the Penghu Islands

Flying is the fastest way to reach the Penghu Islands and there are many options to fly to Penghu from around Taiwan, which is why it’s one of the most visited out of all the Taiwan offshore islands. Here are the airports listed in order of flight time needed.

• Tainan Airport (TNN) 臺南 – 30 minutes (3 flights daily)
• Chiayi Airport (CYI) 嘉義 – 35 minutes (1 flight daily)
• Kaohsiung Airport (KHH) 高雄 – 40 minutes (6-7 flights daily)
• Taichung Airport (RMQ) 臺中 – 45 Minutes (4 flights daily)
• Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) 松山 – 60 minutes (4-5 flights daily)

International visitors: Most likely you’ll arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) where you will need to take a bus to Taipei Songshan Airport, or take the train/HSR to connect to the other places. There are some international flights that may go to Kaohsiung or Taichung if you want a more direct route.

Most flights land at Penghu Airport (MZG) 澎湖 . A 1-way ticket costs around 1,700-2,300 NTD (S$70-$100) depending on where you fly from and the time of your flight.

If you wanted to skip the main Penghu Island (Magong) and fly directly to either Wang’an or Qimei in the southern island cluster, you can fly Daily Air from Kaohsiung Airport.

• Kaohsiung (KHH) to Qimei (CMJ) – 2 flights per day, 40 minutes flight.
• Kaohsiung (KHH) to Wang’an (WOT) – 1 flight on Mondays and 1 flight on Fridays, 45 minutes flight.
• UNI AIR 立榮航空  (li rong hang kong) flies daily the most flights to and from Penghu –  Check out UNI AIR’s website . 
• Mandarin Airlines 華信航空  (hua xing hang kong) has flights from Taipei Songshan, Kaohsiung and Taichung –  check out Mandarin Airline’s website .
• Daily Air 德安航空 (de an hang kong) has limited flights from Kaohsiung to Magong, Qimei and Wang’an – check out Daily Air’s website (Chinese only).

• Book your flights as early as possible.  The planes to Penghu are generally smaller propeller planes and they get booked out quite quickly. The flights perpetually have a waiting list and during off-season, residents get priority on the wait list.
• Be prepared for delays or cancellations.  Penghu Islands can get pretty windy, which affects boats more than planes, but it may result in flight cancellations along with heavy rains. Make sure you have travel insurance and give yourself enough buffer if you need to catch a connection.
• UNI AIR, Mandarin Airlines and Daily Air have a  free 10kg checked bag limit , but don’t worry if you exceed because each additional kilo is at maximum 16 NTD (S$0.70) per kg (8-14 NTD for Daily Air!), but just note that you’ll need to pay this fee at the counter when you drop off your bag. In my experience, UNI AIR was pretty strict about charging this fee even if I was just 1kg over the limit because the system was automated, but Mandarin Air did things manually and didn’t bother charging me.
• You can make bookings and even select your seat online when you check in, but give yourself a little time to pick up the ticket at the airport because their system is more used to dealing with Chinese names, so longer English names where the surname/name are in different places from Chinese names means you probably can’t use the kiosks to get your ticket. Most of the counter staff made handwritten amendments to my name on the ticket after checking my passport, but I didn’t have any other issues.

Buy plane tickets at  UNI AIR’s website  or  Mandarin Airline’s website or daily Air’s website .

You can take the ferry from mainland Taiwan to get to Penghu. Most of the boats leave from Budai Harbour in Chiayi, but you may also be able to get ferries in Kaohsiung and Tainan. The ferries sail to Magong Nanhai Harbour 馬公南海碼頭 aka the main island of Penghu.

Taking the ferry to Penghu is a cheaper option but does also require more time. Standard ferries take about 4 hours journey, though if you get a fast ferry from Chiayi it takes just 1.5 hours.

The one main issue here is that Penghu get REALLY windy. Which means waves can get pretty high, so ferries are way more likely to be cancelled than flights. When I arrived, the ferries were cancelled for the day so other guests at my guesthouse only arrived the following day.

Ferries to Penghu are also season dependent – you have a lot more options in summer, but in winter it seems like the only ferry leaves from Kaohsiung. Do check before you go, but according to a Penghu resident, she says most people don’t even try to visit during winter just because of the weather.

I didn’t take the ferry for myself, but I’m putting down the information here for those of you considering taking the ferries.

Check out the ferry information at Penghu’s Tourism sites in English (has rates) as well as Chinese (more port options are listed). You can also get ferry tickets from Klook [affiliate link] and KKday that sell ferry tickets.

Travelling around the Penghu Islands

To get between the various islands in Penghu, there are several options as well.

Ferry is by far the most common way to get around the Penghu Islands. Most of the boats to the southern islands like Qimei, Wang’an, Hujing and Tongpan leave from Magong Nanhai Harbour 馬公南海碼頭 .

I took a boat tour from Nanhai Harbour that brought us to Qimei Island first (2 hours away), and then to Wang’an Island (about an hour away) before heading back to Magong. My tickets were booked via my guesthouse who wrote me a receipt and directed me to a counter at Nanhai Harbour to check in.

My tour also included scooter rental on both Wang’an and Qimei Islands – you have the option to take the tour bus instead if you can’t or don’t want to ride.

Daily Air has a 20 minute flight that goes from Magong to Qimei. This plane is absolutely tiny and has just 4 seats and a 1-way ticket costs about 1,085 NTD (S$47).

Getting around the Penghu Islands

As a solo traveller, I rented a scooter from my accommodation and used that to get around the islands. The scooter is my favourite mode of transport around Taiwan’s offshore islands because it’s easy for one person, parking is rarely an issue and it’s cheaper too.

You’ll need your International Driver’s Permit (IDP) to rent from authorised scooter rental stores Taiwan, and in my experience they might be a bit strict about you having the right licenses because ultimately they are liable.

One suggestion is to check if your accommodation does scooter rentals – most places have their own scooters which they can package together with the room, or see if there is anyway you can hire an electric scooter instead which doesn’t require a license.

But again if you’re not confident on riding a scooter, don’t do it. Penghu’s roads don’t have that much traffic but it can be quite busy if you’re in the main Magong city area – I wouldn’t advise you to ride in the town area if you aren’t confident.

For package tours on islands like Wang’an and Qimei, there’s barely any traffic at all so you should be fine as long as you stay on the proper roads and don’t venture off along unpaved paths. Note that you may get charged a little extra surcharge for being a single rider, because they calculate it based on 2 pax per bike. I think it’s dumb but that’s just how it is, something for solo travellers to note.

For a more comfortable ride or those in a larger group, you may want to consider driving. Penghu is pretty windy which may be uncomfortable or cold for riding on an exposed motorbike.

Penghu’s main island of Magong has a pretty extensive public bus network which would be the cheapest way for anyone to get around the main island, though as with these rural bus networks there might be long waiting times.

Taiwan Tourism has special Taiwan Haoxing 台灣好行 buses that are good options for tourists who don’t want to or can’t self drive. Penghu has bus routes to the North (Xiyu) and East (Huxi) to help tourists see the sights easily. Tours take about 5-6 hours and are a good half-day option.

You can book the Taiwan Tourism buses directly via Penghu Fun Easy or Klook [ affiliate link ]. I didn’t take the Taiwan Haoxing buses in Penghu but I did take one to explore the Hualien East Coast .

Where to stay in the Penghu Islands

I usually book accommodation through booking.com [ affiliate link ] because of convenience and I do get discounts as a frequent user. As Penghu is fairly large, there are quite a lot of Penghu accommodation options on booking.com for you to browse, and a good range of higher-end hotels like Discovery Hotel [ affiliate link ] and Four Points by Sheraton Hotel [ affiliate link ] to cute little guesthouses, homestays and hostels.

One other option you can consider is to use Google maps to find hotels/guesthouses that you like, and then contacting these places via email, LINE or phone if you can speak Chinese. These guesthouses can usually offer you better rates or packages directly.

One practice in Taiwan is usually to transfer a deposit to the guesthouse as a pre-booking fee, but if you tell them you’re not in/from Taiwan, they usually are ok to make a reservation and let you pay on arrival.

So far I haven’t found any method of making transfers to Taiwanese accounts in NTD easily, which is more due to Taiwan’s rather closed banking system – multi currency sites like  Revolut  and Wise don’t let you create NTD wallets, and the transfers to Taiwan are in USD for some reason as well.

嘉德利雅民宿

I chose to stay in a quieter area outside of the main downtown Magong district known as Siwei Village, about 10 minutes drive north of Magong City where the Nanhai Harbour is located.

Siwei seems like a residential area with not much around in terms of facilities, but there are lots of guesthouses and apartment blocks around here and it’s away from the busy downtown area.

Catt Leya is a guesthouse run by a family with a really friendly host. We chitchatted several times and she gave me many tips on things to see around Penghu and even invited me to join in her own conversations with her friends at night. They can also make other arrangements for you like scooter rental and booking my day tour to Wang’an/Qimei.

The townhouse is a 4-story walkup – no lifts so if you want a room on the lower floor, let them know early. I was up on the 3rd floor but I really enjoyed this room because it was very spacious. Probably the largest room in my entire trip! I didn’t have a balcony but I had a nice sitting area to sprawl out on.

Animal alert: they do have resident cat and dog pets which is a good/bad thing depending on how much you like animals, but the animals typically stay on the ground floor and don’t go into the guest rooms.

Check out Cattleya on Booking.com (Catt Leya B&B Hotel) [ affiliate link ]

Some other accommodation options in Magong that I was considering [booking.com affiliate links]:

• Starrywhale Hostel is in the same neighbourhood as Catt Leya in Siwei
• Calamari has a really central location near Duxingshi Village
• Penghu Sunsea Hall is such a pretty homestay that’s still a little bit out of Magong City
• Day Time Travel B&B is an option down south near Shili Beach
• Color Coral Boutique Hotel has such a beautiful interior not far from Magong City

You could also consider staying further afield in Baisha, Xiyu, Huxi or even on Qimei if you have your own transport and want somewhere quieter and away from the crowds.

Best time to visit the Penghu Islands

For cooler weather, spring and autumn are good times to visit Penghu, but if you want to hit the beaches and partake in water activities then summer is of course your best option. I visited in May and it was already fairly warm.

Winter is when you should avoid Penghu largely because it gets super windy there even in the other seasons, but things get really blustery and wet in the winter months. Generally this is the low season and flights/ferries get cancelled a lot – it’s mostly only the locals travelling back and forth during this period.

Some windy mornings in Penghu in the early summer already had me feeling quite blown about so I imagine it’d be much worse with cold piercing winter winds!

澎湖花火節

Summer is when Penghu is at its busiest, largely because of the famous Penghu Fireworks Festival 澎湖花火節 that typically takes place from May to July . The show usually happens every Monday and Thursday evening at the Guanyinting in Magong City. There is a stage at the park, some booths and lots of people gather to witness the show which typically involves fireworks and drone action that lasts about 30 minutes.

In May 2023 I timed my trip so I would be able to catch the fireworks 2x and a good thing I did. The first time around the winds were so strong that the Disney themed drone show (to celebrate 100 years of Disney) was cancelled and we only got to see about 10 minutes worth of fireworks instead. The weather was much better on my 2nd trip so I got to see the full show.

I recorded both my fireworks festival shows for Taiwan Tourism SG, and even livestreamed one of them! Check them out on Facebook: the first show (me livestreaming Q&A + fireworks) and the second show (drones + fireworks)

See the latest Penghu Fireworks Festival updates on Facebook .

Other Penghu travel tips

Here’s the thing about island life in Taiwan, even on larger islands such as Penghu: ATMs are few and far between, and even if you do find an ATM, there’s a high chance that it doesn’t take foreign cards. Luckily I had enough cash on hand in Penghu so that wasn’t an issue (I nearly had some real problems in Matsu !).

Use the ATMs at the airports on Taiwan’s mainland before flying over – Songshan Airport had plenty of ATMs options that didn’t charge additional fees.

You will find that there is not a lot of shelter when you are driving around the Penghu Islands, especially if you are getting around by scooter. Because of the strong winds, there are few tall trees and not a lot of canopy cover, so make sure you are sufficiently protected from the sun – I recommend long sleeves or an airism jacket.

A tip if you are riding, cycling or sitting on the outdoor deck of the ferry – make sure your sleeves are long enough to cover your fingers because you might end up with really brown fingers even though everything else was covered up.

If you are riding, make sure your helmet has a face shield or have a pair of sunglasses on hand to protect your eyes. I sometimes used a buff/mask to cover my nose/mouth as well from the dust while riding.

Have you been to the Penghu Islands or are planning to go there? Let me know in the comments if you have any questions. In the meantime check out other Taiwan offshore islands that I have visited:

Taiwan Matsu Islands Guide: How to get there, getting around and where to stay 马祖

Taiwan Green Island: My solo traveller’s guide to Lyudao 綠島

Taiwan Matsu Islands: Things to do in Beigan 北竿

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A Guide to the Penghu Island Group 🏝️ Island Hopping in Taiwan

A comprehensive look at the penghu archipelago – 90 islands of surf, sea, and sand.

Penghu is an island group in the southwest of Taiwan.

Its crystal clear waters and white sands have been little known for the past few years…

But it might not stay that way for long!

With untouched natural scenery and hundreds of years of history to explore, it’s definitely worth getting off the beaten track for this one!

Penghu county is actually made up of a massive 90 islands – so there’s plenty to explore!

If untouched white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and hidden delicacies are for you, Penghu Islands aren’t to be missed.

You can delve into the rich history and culture of the island, as well as enjoy pristine (so far untouched) white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. 

Whilst we won’t visit all of Penghu’s 90 islands today, we’ll cover the main islands and some of the outer islands that should be top of your travel itinerary.

Penghu Islands | An Introduction Penghu Islands | Name Penghu Islands | History Penghu Islands | How to Visit Penghu Main Islands: Penghu Islands | Xiyu 西嶼 Penghu Islands | Baisha 白沙 Penghu Islands | Magong 馬公 and Magong City Penghu Outer Islands: Penghu Islands | Qimei 七美 Penghu Islands | Jibei吉貝嶼 Penghu Islands | Wang’an  望安嶼 Penghu Islands | Hujing 虎井嶼 Penghu Islands | Tongpan 通盤嶼 Penghu Islands | FAQs

Penghu Islands || An Introduction

Penghu island in Taiwan is actually a set of islands, 90 of them to be exact that make up the Penghu archipelago.

Since Taiwan only has 166 islands, Penghu’s 90 certainly make up a fair bit of Taiwan’s outer islands. 

Not all 90 can be explored , but visiting Penghu’s outer islands gives an experience like no other.

Penghu is also a county in Taiwan – indeed, Taiwan’s smallest county.

It covers an area of 141 sq kilometers and has one city for all the islands, called Magong. Magong is also romanised as Makgung, depending on what spelling system you’re using. 

Many of those earlier fishing communities who had settled in Penghu believed in worshipping Mazu, the God of the Sea . This is where the capital city, Magong, gets its name. 

Most visitors will stick to the four main islands:

It’s been getting more and more popular in the past decade thanks to investment from the government’s tourism board. And it’s one of those that will look completely different in another decade.

Already there are massive changes in infrastructure on the island and everywhere you look there are new build houses, BnBs, and some apartments being built. 

Penghu has done a great job of preserving the rich culture and history that make this island so unique, and this seems not to have changed despite the influx in tourists. 

Discovering Tainan’s Treasures: 9 Must-Visit Places in Taiwan’s Oldest City

Tainan is the oldest city in Taiwan and is teeming with history and culture. Here’s our ultimate guide on where to go and what to eat in the old capital

Penghu Islands || Name

The original name of the Penghu islands is  “Pinghu”( 平湖 Pínghú).

👉In the local Taiwanese Hokkien language, 平 (píng) and 澎 (pēng) are very similar, thus meaning that it could be written as ‘Pinghu’ and ‘Penghu’.

In the end, Penghu 澎湖 stuck as the main name. 

Penghu islands are also referred to as “Pescadores Islands”. This comes from the Portuguese name; Ilhas dos Pescadores  (“Fishermen Islands”).

Unsure what Portugal has to do with this small island off the coast of Taiwan’s mainland? 

Well, that’s coming right up…

Choosing a Chinese Name Like a PRO, Tips from Native Speakers // How I Discovered My New Name!

Choosing a Chinese Name | After receiving half-amused, half-bemused looks at my old name it was time to act. Check out my adventure for finding a new name.

Penghu Islands || History

According to some records, Penghu’s history pre-dates that of the main island of Taiwan. 

Song Dynasty

It is said that around the 9th/10th century ( Song Dynasty ), some Han Chinese from Fujian in mainland China established fishing communities in Penghu.

Ming Dynasty

In the 15th century, during the Ming Dynasty , an evacuation of the island was ordered as part of a ‘maritime ban’ by the Ming leadership. By 1597, Ming had established a permanent military presence on the island. By the end of the 16th century, the maritime ban was then lifted and legal fishing communities once again established themselves on the islands. 

Want to learn more about Chinese history? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Chinese Dynasties here!

This is around the time that things join back up with the Portuguese as we mentioned earlier. The Portuguese at this time had colonised Macau and were trying to build up trade relations in the area.

The Dutch (Dutch East India Company) also wanted a part of the pie and were keen on getting China to open its Fujian port for trade with them. They also attempted to defeat the Portuguese and expel them from Macau.

This didn’t work, and instead, they retreated to Penghu.

The Dutch then seized Penghu and built a fort there ( which you can visit – well, kind of – see below! ). It didn’t end too well for the Dutch however, as the Chinese responded by eventually forcing the Dutch out of Penghu.

In 1624, the governor of Fujian sent troops to expel the Dutch who then went to Tainan and established ‘ Fort Zeelandia ’ on Taiwan’s main island. The Dutch clearly weren’t ready to give up Taiwan just yet.  

After the Dutch left Penghu, the French captured it in 1885. Short-lived, though, as the Sino-French war drew to an end and they left only 4 months after arriving.

Qing Dynasty 

With the Qing dynasty, or rather the end of it, it was Japan’s turn to attempt to take over the Penghu islands.

Penghu County was then called the Hōko Prefecture and Magong would be ‘Makō’.

During World War II, Penghu proved to be a major base for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

After Japan’s surrender in 1945, and after a few years of indecisions by various foreign and domestic powers, Penghu was finally recognised officially as ROC territory.

Despite this, the Penghu island groups are very much separate from Taiwan at the same time.

They’re not included in the official Taiwan island groups and instead are their own archipelago; Penghu Islands. Just like Kinmen and the Matsu islands, too.

Penghu Islands || How to Visit: Navigating Boats & Tickets

You can visit these islands individually, mainly from the main port in Magong, but also from Baisha island (the island connected to Magong main island).

The ferries run all throughout the day at various times, so make sure to plan ahead. 

In order to book any of these tickets, you will need to plan first.

Have a look online if you’re not in Penghu already, but there is limited availability in English. 

Harbour Visitor Center / South Sea Tourist Centre (南海遊客中心)

The best thing you can do to visit the Penghu islands is to go to the harbour yourself and ask about times and prices.

TOP TIP || They often change with the day of the week and the time of the season (winter vs summer) so online information may not be up to date.

If you go to the harbour the day beforehand, you can also inquire as to the weather and if it’s suitable or not. 

There is an information desk at the harbour “Visitor Information Center”. There’s not a huge guarantee of English language – so get Google Translate at the ready. 

At the Visitor Information Center, they can also advise you on whether it is wise to travel or not. Remember, most of the local ships are actually just passenger boats transporting items to and from outer islands as well as transporting residents.

They’re not necessarily *for* tourists – although, of course, tourists can use these services. This means that sometimes the boat may go, even though it’s not suitable for you to go there for tourism purposes, e.g. the wind is too strong. 

It’s wise to listen to this advice since you might get there and not be able to enjoy it at all.

Or worse still… you might get there and not be able to get back..! 

At the visitors centre, there is also a departures and arrivals board that shows the big companies operating, where they’re going, and their time of departure and return.

It also shows the “gate” (i.e. boat port) they’re departing from. And it’s all in English and Chinese, hurrah!

A Complete Guide to Kinmen Island // The Gateway to the Mainland

Kinmen Island, Quemoy, or rather Kinmen County/Kinmen Islands are a group of islands administered by Taiwan; not just one island! Come and discover it.

Private Tour Companies

If you have more cash and less time, you might want to consider booking a tour boat.

These run generally daily and can be very popular during the summer months, so you might want to book ahead. 

These are boats that can take you to two, three, or four outer islands on a one-day trip.

They usually include the main ones such as Qimei and Wang’an , Tongpan and Hujing .

TOP TIP || Watch out, some of them will just circle some of these islands without getting off – so you want to make sure it stops at these islands and you actually have some time to explore.

Of course, various companies offer various combinations. Have a look and see what you can figure out online before you go from the company websites, then head down to the harbour to confirm. 

If you’re at a decent hostel or hotel, they should be able to help you organise this too. 

But before all of this, something much harder… 

Now you have to decide which islands to visit! 

Not all islands in Penghu can be visited. And certainly, not all of them are inhabited.

Some of them offer overnight accommodation, and some of them are only good for day trips. Some depend on the season. So it’s vital to plan everything in advance! 

… and then be prepared to have your plans squashed because the wind is too strong. 

Let’s take a look at Penghu’s outer islands! 

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Top 5 Weekend Trips from Taipei // #1 Teapot and Banping Mountain : #2 Jiǔfēn 九份 : #3 Wūlái 乌来 : #4 Baishawan 白沙湾 : #5 Surfing at Wai’ao Beach 外澳海滩

Penghu Islands || Main Islands

Let’s start off with the main islands. In this blog, we’ll go over these three:

If you only have a short time in Penghu, or if you manage to catch it on a few days of bad weather and have no way of going to the smaller outer islands – fear not. You can visit a few islands in the main group anyway, and there is plenty to keep you busy! 

All of these islands are accessible by road as they are connected with bridges.

So, let’s take a look at the top things to do on each of them:

Penghu Islands || Xiyu 西嶼

Erkan village 二崁聚落.

Historic village taking you back to rural Taiwan. 

Basalt Columns 雞善嶼

There are three main structures you want to see on Xiyu; Daguoye Columnar Basalt, Secret Three Stone Walls, and Chixi Rock Waterfall.

These were formed between 17 and 8 million years ago as lava shot through seabed faults as the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates crossed each other. When the lava blasted through the sea, it quickly cooled and dried. Thus building up the columns! 

Whale Cave 鯨魚洞

Check out some interesting rock formations and erosion at this cave calved out by the sea over the years, and learn about geology at the nearby Xiamen Geology Museum. 

Yuwengdao Lighthouse 漁翁島燈塔

Taiwan’s oldest lighthouse on record! 

Penghu Islands || 白沙 Baisha

Tongliang great banyan 通樑古榕.

Tongliang Great Banyan and the Boat Temple are two things you must visit in Baisha!

A beautiful temple and a 200-year-old Banyan tree in front of it! It covers a canopy of a massive 660sq meters. If you can’t imagine how big that is, go see for yourself!

Penghu Great Bridge 澎湖跨海大橋

Connecting Baisha and Xiyu, this is East Asia’s first deep ocean bridge. And it’s quite the sight! 

Penghu Islands || Magong 馬公

Magong city.

Even if you only have one day to explore Magong City, it will be enough. You can walk to most of the main sites and if you have even less time, why not hire a bike!

There’s plenty of temples to enjoy in Magong.

The most famous temple is Tianhou Temple (澎湖天后宮). People here pray to Mazu, the God of the Sea. This is also Taiwan’s oldest temple!

If you’re in an exploratory mood, we’d recommend heading down to Zhongyang Old Street 中央老街 .

Here, you can wonder through the dozens of picturesque alleyways. Some are only 6m wide!

For a spot of history, head down to Suncheng Gate 小門地質館 , the last of the Magong city walls. Head up a small staircase and you’ll be greeted with some great views over the old port of Penghu and the ruins of the old fort.

To learn about the local culture and history of Penghu, as well as the resilience of the people living on this island, head down to Penghu Living Museum.

For a fun mid-afternoon refresher after the museum, you should head down to YanZhi Cafe, Your Face in Coffee! Yup, next door to the museum there’s a coffee shop that prints your picture onto your latte… Don’t believe us? Try it out for yourself!

And last but certainly not least, head down to House Number 1 , Chiang Kai Shiek stayed here after the nationalists came to Taiwan and operated from here for a time. You can even see where he slept and held meetings.

Aimen Beach & Lintou Beach

What’s the point in being on an island if you’re not heading to the beach!

Popular for water sports, Aimen beach is a great choice for visitors as it’s also very close to the airport!

You can choose from surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing – the island gets very windy. 

Head to Lintou beach for its famous long stretches of white sand.

Fenggui Blowholes (風櫃洞)

The ocean-side blowholes are located in the southwest. 

There’s also an observation deck, so you can climb the stairs for a better view.

Daguoye Columnar Basalt (池東大菓葉玄武岩)

Beautiful basalt rock formations, perfect for an early morning stroll before the sun gets too strong.

Chixi Rock Waterfall (池西岩瀑)

A waterfall made from cooling lava- not one to be missed! 

Duxingshi (篤行十村)

Duxingshi is the oldest military housing village in Taiwan where the Japanese set up residence during the colonial period. 

Guouye Sunrise Tower

Watch the sunrise from the post popular spot in Penghu! 

Kuibishan Beach

Otherwise known as “Moses Parts the Sea”. When the tide is low, see where the sea parts!

Penghu Islands || Outer Islands Islands

Island hopping in Penghu is a hugely popular activity and is definitely worth taking the time to do.

You could consider taking a private tour boat which may visit several islands or important sites in one day before dropping you back off in Magong or one of the other outer islands to stay for the night.

Penghu Islands || Qimei Island (七美)

How to visit qimei island.

To get to Qimei from the main island you take a boat from the South Sea Tourist Centre (南海遊客中心)。 

You can stay overnight for a night or two on Qimei Island.

What to do on Qimei Island?

– Double heart stone weir (雙心石滬).

The iconic ‘Qimei’ scene and iconic image of Penghu itself.

This is a traditional fishing trap made in the shape of two hearts. It offers some pretty beautiful pictures on a sunny day with its cute heart shape and turquoise waters. 

-Seven Beauties 

Here, there is also an old freshwater well.

It is now a sacred shrine dedicated to the ‘Seven Beauties’. Seven beauties? Qi Mei? Sounds familiar, you say?

Well, yup. That’s correct. It’s this well that gives the island its name! 

-Little Taiwan (小台灣) (Donghu Village)

This is a small platform formed by erosion that’s in the shape of Taiwan !

Great for snorkelling! 

Penghu Islands || Ji-Bei Island (吉貝嶼)

How to visit ji bei island.

Take a short boat ride from the North Sea Tourist Centre (北海遊客中心) which is located on Baisha Island (白沙).

What to do on Ji-Bei Island

-Watersports

Ji-bei island is one of the most famous places for water sports.

You can do everything here from enjoying banana boats to water slides and of course snorkelling and swimming! 

You can stay overnight here in a wooden cabin. 

-80 Stone Weirs

A very popular spot in Penghu.

-Wusheng Temple

Because why not?!

-Sand Beach Beak

At the southern end of the island, this is a 1.5k stretch of white sandy beach stretching out to the ocean. 

Penghu Islands || Wang’an Island (望安嶼)

How to visit wang’an island.

Buy your tickets and take a boat from nearby the South Sea Tourist Centre.

Take the Magong-Wang’an ferry for 50 minutes and you’ll arrive at the island Wang’an.

What to do on Wang’an Island

This island is nicknamed ‘honeymoon island’ for its stereotypical romantic aspects such as white sandy beaches and clear bright blue waters. 

It is Penghu’s fourth largest island. 

– Old Courtyard House

Believed to be potentially the oldest ruins in Taiwan, this village boats several traditional freshwater wells, temples and old houses.

It’s an old fishing village with great architecture as the houses are almost entirely built from coral and stone in the Qing Dynasty.

This cluster of residences is now a tourist attraction and largely uninhabited.

-Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Center.

This is located on one of Wang’an’s protected beaches where the sea turtles come to lay their eggs. 

-Yuanyang Caves

Various caves previously used by the Japanese in WWII. 

-Tiantai Hill 

Offering great views over Wang’an island !

The 15-minute walk to the top is worth it, with great views over the island and various other outer islands.

Penghu Islands || Tongpan Island 桶盤嶼

How to visit tongpan island.

20 minutes from Magong/Penghu main island.

Boats run two or three times per day. Every day is different and times vary depending on the day of the week and season. 

You pay on-board the boat. Not at the harbour. No booking in advance.

What to do on Tongpan

Nicknamed the ‘Yellowstone Park of Penghu’, this island is made up of lots of the basalt column structures you’ll see all around Penghu – but these are some of the most impressive, encircling much of the island.

Here you can visit Fuhai temple, or go for a spot of snorkelling!

The island is small so it’s more about experiencing the beauty of the island than visiting specific tourist spots. 

-Basalt Columns

Admire the impressive basalt columns when approaching. 

-Large coral forests

Always a lovely visit

-“Cat Rock”

A basalt formation in the shape of a beehive. 

-Stepped basin

Formed on a sea-eroded platform called “Lotus terrace”.

Penghu Islands || Hujing Island 虎井嶼

How to visit hujing island.

Take a 25-minute ferry from the main harbour. You pass by Tongpan on the way.

They run generally twice a day and return twice a day. Make sure to plan the night before to make sure of the times as they change with weekdays and seasons. 

What to do on Hujing Island

Hujing is an island or islet.

Indeed, its name in Chinese is not 島 meaning island but rather 虎井嶼, lit. Tiger Well island.

Therefore, you can hear it be referred to as Huijingyu, Hujing Islet, or Hujing Island. 

Here, you can spend your time exploring the landscape that is largely pretty barren.

There are lots of goats, few people, and few houses. There is also a military base, of course, so don’t accidentally walk in like I almost did. Again. 

There is little documenting what there is to see and do on Hujing but when you visit there are many signposts – for the few things you can do. 

TOP TIP || Rent a scooter here for 150 NTD for a couple of hours. It’s the only way you can get around – and there is only one place renting them. And only 5 scooters. So be quick..! 

There are no electric scooters so technically if you don’t have a license I don’t think it’s completely legal for you to drive. But no one asks. And you have no other choice.

There is no real way to visit much by walking (it would take way too long and there are no paths).

TOP TIP || Follow the signs and spend some time scooting along the one or two roads they have there. You can’t get lost. Google maps won’t be much help so just ride around and stop when you see something interesting. 

The main things are…

[ Turn right at the port ] 

-Old Japanese war observatory

Pretty cool to walk around this underground cave bunker! 

-Statue park area and viewpoint

-Hujing statues

[Turn left at the port] 

-Drive along the coast 

-Don’t accidentally go into the military base that may or may not be there. 

Hujingyu is an island surrounded with much traditional culture and history. It’s pretty large, the seventh largest, in fact.

It’s flat in the centre but high up on both the west and east edges, where basalt columns define the high edges. 

Hujing has an interest island history. The legend goes that there is an underwater “Sunken City” of Hujing.

DID YOU KNOW || There is a lot of historical literature on the existence of this ‘underwater city’, where there should be city walls. It’s said that the Dutch built this fortress which then sunk over 300 years ago during battle.

During low tide, you can see some aspects of these ‘walls’ through the clear water. 

However, some say that it may be due to the underwater columns joining together with Tongpan island close by… 

You can decide which you want to believe!

That’s our introductory guide to the Penghu Islands – have you been before? If so, tell us where in the comments .

If you are planning to go, feel free to ask any questions below also.

Penghu Islands || FAQs

Yes, depending on the weather.

Penghu has 90 islands , and whilst you can’t visit them all, you can visit a lot from Magong!

Head to the harbour to see where you should go. 

It’s wise to inquire in advance but for some local boats, you buy the ticket on board. 

Depends on the island. Prices start from 100NTD for the closer islands. 

Depends on the islands. Some are 20 minutes, some are 2 hours away. 

Generally not, no.

We’ve listed the main ones in this article, so if you have time, visit them all!

— Qimei 七美

— Jibei 吉貝嶼

— Wang’an  望安嶼

— Hujing 虎井嶼

— Tongpan 通盤嶼

There are so many others we didn’t even cover here.

Maybe you could explore some more! 

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Asia , Beach Guides , Taiwan · July 4, 2020

11 Unmissable Things To Do In Penghu

Planning a trip to Penghu and wondering what to do? This guide unpacks the best things to do in Penghu and includes handy tips to help you plan the perfect Penghu trip.

The Penghu Islands (澎湖) are a cluster of 90 small islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait just off the west coast of Taiwan. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway or interested in exploring a unique part of Taiwan, look no further! This gorgeous archipelago offers fantastic ocean views and is rich in history and culture. With inviting turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and ‘oh so delicious’ seafood, Penghu is a great add-on to any Taiwan itinerary !

Read along to find the very BEST things to do in Penghu!

Disclaimer: This post probably contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through one of these links, I might receive a tiny commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Penghu Itinerary Pre-Travel Tips

Before we dive into this Penghu travel guide, here are a few quick tips for planning the perfect Penghu itinerary.

• Penghu can only be accessed via plane or ferry. Grab your return ferry ticket via Chiayi here, and read my guide on getting to Penghu for more in-depth tips. 
• Search the best hotel deals for Penghu well in advance as rooms fill up quickly, especially during the warmer months. Since boats could easily be canceled on short notice due to weather conditions, make sure you book a room with a free cancelation policy. 
• Taiwan is very safe country to visit, but it’s always best to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances. World Nomads  offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
• Download  Google Translate  and  Google Maps  so that you can access maps, plan your stops, and translate Chinese menus on the go. Read my guide on best Taiwan travel apps for more tips.

In a rush? Pin this Penghu travel guide for later.

11 of the BEST things to do in Penghu

In this guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Penghu. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend getaway or planning a more extended stay, there’s plenty to keep you busy for a few days.

Discover the temples

It’s pretty hard to walk around Taiwan without spotting a few temples on your way. The Penghu Islands are no different. Many temples are dotted across the islands, which means you’ll have no problem finding a temple to admire.

One of my favorite temples in Penghu is the Magong City God Temple . Come here to marvel at the temple’s gorgeous and colorful architecture.

Then wander through the old quarter of Magong City, and follow the crowds to the oldest temple in Taiwan, Tianhou Temple (澎湖天后宮). Tianhou Temple, also known as the “Palace of the Queen of Heaven,” is the most famous temple in Penghu. For centuries local fishers have come here to pray to the sea goddess, Mazu, for safe seafaring. It’s a cool place to stroll around, and you’ll find some prized arts and relics dating back to the Ming dynasty on display inside.

Wander through Zhongyang Old Street

Zhongyang Street (中央老街) lies in the historical heart of Magong City. Here you can wander around beautiful little alleyways lined with red lanterns. Then duck into hidden gems such as DIY shops, local delicacy stores, and quaint traditional tea houses. The old street is also one of the best places to pick up souvenirs.

Explore Shuncheng Gate

Once you’ve explored Tianhou Temple , make your way to the harbor where you will find the last remnant of Magong’s City Walls,  Shuncheng Gate (小門地質館), also known   as the S mall West Gate . 

Follow the small stairway (just to the right) to the top for gorgeous views over the port. If you walk along the wall, you will also find some ruins of the old fort.

Relax by the beach

Whether you fancy water sports, sunbathing or swimming in the crystal clear waters, there are plenty of great beaches to choose from in Penghu. In fact, Penghu is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Taiwan !

Here are the best beaches in Penghu.

• Shanshui Beach (山水沙灘) is the most popular swimming spot in Penghu. Moreover, no matter which season you go, the beach is likely to be pretty deserted!
• If you love water sports,  Aimen Beach  (隘門沙灘) is a cool spot where you can enjoy everything fro jet skiing and banana boat rides to kayaking and SUP .
• Lintou Beach (林投海灘) is one of the longest white beaches in Penghu and a personal favorite of mine. If you don’t want to get your feet wet but still want to enjoy the ocean breeze, head over to White Beach . This beautiful Italian restaurant offers a great beachfront view (which is quite uncommon in Taiwan) and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a great place to kick back, swing in the hanging chairs, indulge in the fantastic food or enjoy the gorgeous view. For more details, check out their Facebook page here .

Travel Tip: Coral fragments line the beaches in Penghu, so don’t forget your flip-flops! A hat, high SPF sunscreen, and sunglasses are also a must.

Penghu is home to fantastic snorkeling spots. The best way to find these is to ask your hostel, minsu , or hotel for more information and options. Most tours include the standard gear, but if you prefer to come prepared, check out this guide on best snorkels .

Explore the geological sites at the Whale Cave

If you are interested in geology, the Whale Cave (鯨魚洞) in Xiyu Township is a must. The cave is probably one of the best examples of sea erosion in Penghu, making it a popular tourist spot. Years of erosion from the intense monsoons and sea waves have hollowed a cave, forming a sea arch. While here, stop by the Xiaomen Geology Museum (小門地質館) to learn more about Penghu’s unique geology.

Admire the Tongliang Great Banyan

One of the coolest places to visit in Penghu is Boa’an Temple . The temple lies at the western tip of Baisha Island, and although it is not very big, it is considered a sacred place.

Apart from the locals who come here to pray for the safety of loved ones, the temple is a popular tourist spot. And, for an excellent reason. What sets this temple apart from others you might have already seen in Taiwan, is the massive 200-year-old Tongliang Great Banyan tree (通樑古榕) in front of it.

At first glance, you might think that the Banyan is formed from different trees. When, in fact, it is not. The Banyan has shaped so many subsidiary roots over the years that it has created a massive canopy over the courtyard covering 660 square meters. It’s quite a sight to see!

Wander around Erkan Old Village

The Erkan Old Village (二崁村聚落協進會) on Xiyu Island is another favorite of mine. The century-old residential complex is rustic yet simple. Enjoy ice-cold almond milk and sun-dried squid as you wander through the maze-like streets and marvel at the unique architecture built from stone and coral.

Erkan is also famous for Chuanxiang incense, which wards off evil. Surprisingly, it also acts as a mosquito repellant. As you enter the complex, you will see rows of baskets filled with incense sticks being dried in the sun.

Enjoy ‘oh so delicious’ treats

When you visit Penghu, you will have no problem finding some fantastic local delicacies to try. The most popular snacks to eat in Penghu include cactus ice cream (仙人掌冰), brown sugar cake (黑糖糕), onion pancake (蔥油餅), snowflake shaved ice (雪花冰), shaved ice (剉冰) and of course, fresh seafood . Make sure to try local favorites such as fresh oysters, abalone, and squid!

Squid is quite famous in Penghu, and you will have no trouble finding something with squid around every corner. Whether it’s deep-fried or coupled with vermicelli, the squid here is fantastic! Interestingly enough, it tastes a little different from the squid found in Taiwan.

For fantastic pizza, I highly recommend Mercato Pizza 瑪咖朵披薩 (formerly known as Fish Market ). The restaurant is just a short walk from the Tianhou Temple, and the interior is super cool! The pizza is delicious and the prickly pear cactus drink is a huge must! Added to that, the staff are welcoming and speak excellent English. For more details, check out their Facebook page here .

Try Squid Fishing

From June to September, another popular activity in Penghu is squid or octopus fishing. Tours usually last two hours, and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor afterward. Although there are many packages available, this fishing and sunset dinner cruise is very popular.

Go Island hopping in Penghu Islands

The outlying islands of Taiwan , including the ones in Penghu, are absolutely stunning! As a result, island hopping is a popular activity in Penghu and a great way to get a closer look at the area’s unique beauty. Best of all, most of the archipelago’s outer islands are just a short(-ish) boat ride away!

Finding the right day trip to suit your pocket and interests isn’t hard either. I highly recommend taking a trip to Qimei Island (七美鄉), home to Taiwan’s most iconic sight, the Twin Heart Stone Weir (七美雙心石滬). Other amazing day trips from Penghu include Jibei Island (吉貝嶼), home to a stunning stretch of ivory-white sand and Wang’an Island (望安鄉) that offers a cool peek into the past.

See the Blowholes & the Massive Basalt Columns

The Whale Cave isn’t the only geological attraction in Penghu. And if you have a bit more time, it’s worth checking out the Fenggui Blowholes (風櫃洞) , Tongpanyu (桶盤嶼), and Daguoye Columnar Basalt  (池東大菓葉玄武岩).

The blowholes are in the southwestern corners of Penghu near the Fongguei Cave . It’s a cool place to see (and hear) water spouting out of a basalt blowhole. Climb up the odd-looking UFO-like tower for scenic views over the entire bay!  

Tongpanyu , also known as the Penghu Yellowstone Park , is an island home to fascinating (and huge) basalt columns. Sadly you can’t visit here, but you can spot this attraction on a boat trip en route to the other islands. 

Daguoye Columnar Basalt in Xiyu Township is another set of awesome   basalt-column formations, which you can actually visit and see up close! If you still have time, head northwest on Country Road 5 where you’ll find Chixi Rock Waterfall (池西岩瀑) – another popular place formed by cooling lava that resembles a waterfall! 

Where to Stay in Penghu

Penghu has loads of amazing places to stay. Whether you want to be right in the heart of Magong, near the beach, or looking for a hidden retreat – Penghu has something for every kind of traveler. 

Most of the accommodation lies within Magong City (馬公市), the main metropolis hub in Penghu. However, if you’re looking for something more secluded away from the city’s bustle, Baisha (白沙鄉), Huxi (湖西鄉), and Xiyu (西嶼鄉) townships offer loads of excellent options. 

Here are the best places to stay in Penghu:

LUXURY:   Discovery Hotel is conveniently located near the Penghu South Sea Visitor Centre, the main tourist harbor in Magong City, making it the ideal base for those looking to explore the nearby islands. The 5-star hotel features beautifully decorated rooms with harbor views and loads of space. The outdoor pool is just an added bonus and the perfect spot to watch the sun melt away over the boats docked in the harbor. Check rates and availability here . 

AFFORDABLE LUXURY:  The aptly named Oasis Hotel is located in the northern corners of Magong, away from the city’s bustling downtown area but close enough to all the action. The hotel features large, comfortable rooms and the most amazing rooftop pool under the sun! Check rates and availability here . 

MID-RANGE:  Practically brand-new, Color Coral Hostel has gorgeous modern rooms offering picture-perfect views over the harborfront. The glimmering rooftop jacuzzi is the perfect spot to relax after a day out exploring all of Penghu’s top attractions. Check rates and availability here . 

BUDGET:    Bayhouse Hostel is a cool beachfront hostel mere steps from Shanshui beach – one of the best swimming beaches in Penghu. The hostel features simple yet clean dorm-style rooms and private rooms for those who value their privacy. Besides the excellent location, perhaps the best part about staying here are the awesome owners! Damon and Frank will go out of their way to make you feel right at home, pick you up at the airport and introduce all the best spots to check out in Penghu! Check rates and availability here . 

How to Get Around in Penghu

Magong is a huge city, and you’ll definitely want to see more than just downtown. The easiest way to get around Penghu is to rent a scooter. Most hotels and hostels can help you organize this, but you can also book one here via Klook. If you’re traveling in a group, it might be better to rent a car (which your accommodation can also arrange for you.) Whether you’re renting a car or a scooter, it’s important to know that you need an international driver’s license or a local license to do so. Make sure you’ve got the right license because you won’t be able to rent a scooter or car without it. 

If that’s not an option for you, rent a driver for the day to help you get around stress-free. My friends recently used The Dragon Taxi Company and couldn’t recommend them more. Their driver, Philip Ou, spoke perfect English and was super helpful. You can get in touch with him on (+886) 091 0268 487. Rates start at TWD 1200 for a day depending on your itinerary.

Best Time to Visit Penghu

Penghu is the perfect tropical escape during Taiwan’s warmer months, April through September. The weather is mostly sunny during these months, with average high temperatures ranging between 26°C and 32 °C. July and August are the hottest and also the busiest months in Penghu. Expect accommodation prices to be higher and don’t rule out torrential rain.  

Winter is not a great time to visit Penghu, with January and February being the coldest months. During these months, it’s extremely windy and not uncommon to see average temperatures dipping below 15°C. 

What to Pack for Penghu

Great, now that you have the inside scoop on what to do in Penghu, let’s talk about what you need to pack. Along with tips you’ll find in my Taiwan packing list , here are a few more essentials you’ll need for a seamless Penghu trip. 

• Eco-friendly Sunscreen:  Make sure to pack a  reef-safe sunscreen  that won’t harm the environment. 
• Travel towel : If you’re going to spend time at the beach or go island hopping, pack a lightweight towel, like this Turkish beach towel  that dries in a jiffy and won’t weigh you down. 
• Waterproof Cellphone Case & Drybag:  If you’re looking to join some of the fun water activities on offer in Penghu, pack a  waterproof cellphone case  and a  dry bag  to keep your belongings dry. 
• Camera:  The Penghu islands are absolutely breathtaking! Don’t forget your camera so that you can capture all your favorite bits! I always travel with my  Olympus Mirrorless camera , but a  Go Pro  is a great alternative if you prefer something more lightweight. Of course, you can never go wrong with  DJI mini drone  either! 
• Mosquito repellant:  Don’t forget bug spray when visiting Penghu (and practically everywhere else in Taiwan)! I recommend this eco-friendly bug repellant . 

Have you been to Penghu yet? What tips do you have for fellow travelers planning a Penghu trip? Got any suggestions on things to do on the Penghu Islands? Drop your comments below.

Liked these things to do in Penghu? Maybe your friends will too. Share it with them here.

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June 14, 2018 at

The Penghu Islands seem like paradise on earth and there seems to be so much to see and do there. I loved your post and it is an excellent travel guide for there. Thanks for inspiring me to add the Penghu islands to my bucket list!

June 15, 2018 at

Thanks Lydia! You are absolutely right; there are tons of cool things to do. Glad we inspired you to add a new place to your bucket list! 🙂

Thanks for sharing. I had not heard of these islands and they look and sound amazing!

🙂 Penghu is truly amazing!

January 5, 2020 at

Penghu is absolutely amazing, and I loved the fireworks show when I went in the summer. This magical place is the best kept secret in SE Asia!

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10 Best Things to do in Penghu + Tourist Spots & Places to Visit

What are the top tourist attractions to visit in penghu islands.

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Top 10 Tourist Spots in Penghu, Taiwan + Amazing Activities & Things to Do

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With its crystal clear waters, powdery white sand beaches, and captivating cultural heritage, the Penghu or Pescadores Islands have become a much sought-after tourist destination in recent years. The archipelago, comprised of 90 islands and islets, is 50 km west of Taiwan’s main island and stretches across 141 square kilometers. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an adventure-filled vacation, the Penghu Islands will surely provide an unforgettable experience. Here are some of the must-visit spots in Penghu:

1. Qimei (Chimei) Island

Qimei Island is an idyllic paradise for nature lovers, boasting some of the most spectacular sights on the planet. The most iconic of these is the ‘Twin Hearts Stone Weir,’ two enormous rocks carved into the shape of two hearts. This remarkable natural wonder is a must-see for anyone lucky to visit the island. The’ Beauty Cave’ is a must-visit for those looking for a more immersive experience. Filled with magnificent rock formations and shimmering stalactites, the cave is a great spot to marvel at the beauty of nature. If you’re looking for a more active experience, Qimei Island has plenty to offer.

Snorkeling is a fantastic way to explore the vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life that inhabit the waters around the island. At the same time, fishing is a great way to take in the local scenery and catch some of the island’s many fish species. Qimei Island is a truly unique destination, allowing visitors to explore its stunning natural landscapes and enjoy various thrilling water activities.

2. Magong City

The capital city of Penghu, Magong, is a vibrant destination for those looking to explore the local culture and history. With its rich history, Magong is a fascinating place to visit. From the traditional Fujianese-style houses that line the streets of Penghu Old Street to the stunning Tianhou Temple dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu, Magong is a must-see destination.

The cobblestone streets of Penghu Old Street are a unique experience, lined with traditional Fujianese-style houses that have been standing for centuries. These houses are a testament to the city’s past, with many still featuring the original wood carvings and intricate details that make them so special. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the streets and take a peek inside some of the homes to get a glimpse into the past.

Exploring the capital city of Magong is a great way to gain an appreciation for the culture and history of Penghu. With its unique streets, traditional houses, and religious sites, Magong is an excellent place to explore the local culture and history.

3. Baisha (White Sand) Beach

Baisha Beach is a hidden paradise located on the stunning Penghu Island. Its breathtaking white sand beach and crystal clear turquoise waters make it a perfect relaxing spot. Its picturesque views of the horizon and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore make it a great place to unwind and soak up the sun. The beach is also an excellent place for adventure seekers, offering a variety of water sports activities such as swimming, kayaking, and jet skiing.

The calm waters and gentle waves make it an ideal spot for a leisurely swim or a thrilling ride. The beach is also lined with palm trees, providing a perfect place for a picnic or a romantic stroll. Baisha Beach is the ideal destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy some peace and tranquility.

4. Jibei (Jibe) Island

Jibei Island is a paradise for nature lovers, boasting breathtaking coastal scenery and awe-inspiring rock formations like the iconic “Lovers’ Cave.” Its picturesque landscape makes it the perfect destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the island’s quaint fishing villages. With its stunning views and abundant wildlife, Jibei Island is a must-visit destination for any traveler. The “Lovers’ Cave” is one of the most popular attractions on the island, and its unique rock formations are sure to take your breath away. Visitors can explore the cave and marvel at its majestic beauty or take a leisurely stroll along the rocky coastline to admire the stunning views.

For the more adventurous, the island offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and birdwatching. Don’t forget to take a trip to the island’s charming fishing villages, with their traditional architecture and colorful boats. Jibei Island is a true gem of the East China Sea, offering visitors a unique and unforgettable experience. From its captivating coastal scenery to its awe-inspiring rock formations, the island will leave a lasting impression.

5. Erkan Village

Immerse yourself in a unique blend of old and new in Erkan Village, a picturesque fishing village tucked away in the heart of Penghu. As you wander through the village, you’ll be greeted by friendly locals and surrounded by traditional houses that have been standing for centuries. The salty sea breeze carries the tantalizing aroma of freshly caught seafood, and you’ll find yourself drawn to the many shops and stalls that line the streets.

From traditional handicrafts to delicious seafood dishes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Don’t miss a visit to the local seafood market, where you can sample the freshest catch of the day and pick up some local delicacies, such as dried squid or cuttlefish. Erkan Village is the perfect place to experience Penghu’s traditional way of life.

6. Fenggui (Windmill) Cave

Fenggui Cave is a breathtaking natural sea cave on the picturesque Wang-an Island. It is renowned for its awe-inspiring rock formations and the mysterious sound of the wind echoing through its depths. Exploring the cave offers an unforgettable experience that is unlike any other. From the moment you enter, you will be mesmerized by the captivating rock formations that line the cave walls.

The sound of the wind echoing through the cave is like something out of a dream, creating a surreal atmosphere that is both calming and mysterious. The unique shapes of the rocks form a magical landscape that will leave a lasting impression. It is an experience that must be seen to be believed and one that you will never forget.

7. Visit Tianhou Temple

Visitors to the Penghu Tianhou Temple are welcomed by a breathtaking sight of traditional Chinese architecture, its intricate carvings, and vivid murals adorning the walls. From the majestic entrance gates to the towering pagodas, the temple is a sight to behold. According to legend, the temple is the home of the spirit of Mazu, the revered sea goddess believed to protect the people of Penghu. Tourists and locals alike come to the temple to pay their respects to the goddess and appreciate the beauty of the temple. Open from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm daily, the Penghu Tianhou Temple is a must-see for anyone visiting the area.

The temple is filled with a peaceful and serene atmosphere, with many visitors admiring the intricate carvings and colorful murals that adorn the walls. The sound of incense and the smell of burning joss sticks fill the air, creating a spiritual and calming atmosphere. Visitors can also take a moment to appreciate the traditional Chinese architecture, with its intricately detailed roofs and ornately decorated walls. For those looking to pay their respects to the sea goddess, a shrine is dedicated to Mazu inside the temple. With its stunning architecture and spiritual atmosphere, the Penghu Tianhou Temple is a place of beauty and serenity and a must-see for anyone visiting the area.

8. Daguoye Columnar Basalt

An incredible discovery was made while excavating the earth and stones to build a wharf at the seaside of Daguoye during the Japanese occupation. After thousands of years of slumber, the impressive columnar basalt was uncovered.

This is the most easily accessible columnar basalt on Magong Island and provides a fascinating insight into the island’s history. The wharf was built to improve marine communications between Magong Island and Xiyu, but this unexpected find has left an even more lasting impression.

Explore the wonders of Penghu! Penghu has something for everyone, from its breathtaking natural beauty to its vibrant cultural heritage.

Best Time to Visit Penghu

Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Penghu, an archipelago in Taiwan. Here are the reasons why:

Spring (March to May)

• During spring, the weather in Penghu is pleasantly warm, with temperatures ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
• The islands are less crowded, allowing visitors to enjoy a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
• Springtime also brings blooming flowers and cherry blossoms, creating a picturesque landscape.

Autumn (September to November)

• Due to mild temperatures and lower humidity levels, Autumn in Penghu is also an ideal time to visit.
• The weather during autumn is perfect for outdoor activities, such as swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the beautiful sandy beaches.
• You can witness stunning sunsets during this time, as the clear skies offer spectacular views.
• It’s worth noting that Penghu experiences hot and humid summers and cool winters.

Summers (June to August) can be pretty hot, reaching 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). If you plan on visiting during these months, stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun.

Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Penghu, offering pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and beautiful natural scenery.

How to Get to Penghu, Taiwan

To get to Penghu, Taiwan, you have several options:

The fastest and most convenient way to reach Penghu is by air. There are regular flights from major cities in Taiwan to Magong Airport, the main airport in Penghu. You can book a domestic flight from Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, or Tainan. The flight duration is approximately 30 minutes.

2. By Ferry

If you prefer a more scenic route, you can take a ferry from various ports in Taiwan to Penghu. The ferry ride takes longer than flying, allowing you to enjoy the beautiful sea views.

• From Chiayi: Daily ferries are from Budai Harbor in Chiayi to Magong Harbor in Penghu. The journey takes about 4-5 hours.
• From Kaohsiung: You can also take a ferry from Kaohsiung Harbor to Magong Harbor. The ferry ride takes approximately 2-3 hours.
• From Chi Mei and Anping: Ferry services are available from Chi Mei Harbor and Anping Harbor in Tainan to Penghu. The duration varies depending on the route and usually takes 2-3 hours.

Please note that ferry schedules may vary depending on the season and weather conditions. It is advisable to check the latest schedules and book your tickets in advance.

3. By Chartering a Boat

If you prefer a more adventurous option, charter a private boat to Penghu. This is especially popular for travelers who want to explore Penghu’s smaller islands and hidden gems. However, it is important to ensure the safety and reliability of the boat service before making any arrangements.

4. By Booking a Cruise via Resorts World Cruises

Resorts World Cruises offers Hong Kong to Taiwan Cruise, and one of the featured destinations is Penghu in Taiwan. You can choose to do a DIY tour or book a package tour offered by the cruise company.

Once you arrive in Penghu, you can explore the main island and its smaller islands by local transportation or by renting a scooter or car. Enjoy Penghu’s sandy beaches, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage!

Penghu, Taiwan Travel and Tour Packages

Want more updates about new package tours and tourist attractions in Penghu, Taiwan, that you can add to your itinerary?

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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Penghu – A Complete Guide 澎湖

Travel to Penghu 澎湖 -A complete guide to enjoy this beautiful, unique, and historic part of Taiwan.

Penghu Island-A Complete Guide

Qimei and Wangan Islands Day Trips

Magong City on Penghu-What to do

What and Where To Eat on Penghu

Penghu is a collection of 90 islands and islets located off the western coast of Taiwan.

The culture, landscape, and food of Penghu attract visitors during the spring, summer, and early fall months. It is a perfect 3 day getaway and should be a must do of anyone who lives in Taiwan.

The best time to visit Penghu is in May and September. The weather is dry and the winds are tame. The summer is also not a windy season, however, the sun is very strong during the daytime. April and October are 50/50 for the weather. These are the months when the seasons begin to change, so you may or may not have the heavy winds. Winter is exremely windy and a cold time to be on Penghu.

GETTING TO PENGHU

Travel to Penghu is easily accessible by plane or ferry. Domestic flights leave from Taipei, Tainan, Taizhong, Jiayi, and Kaohsiung and take 35-50 minutes. Ferries leave from Jiayi’s Budai Harbor (1.5 hours) and Kaohsiung Harbor (4 hours for day boat & 6 hours for overnight boat.)

Flying is the best way to go if you are short on time as it will allow you to maximize your time on Penghu. Flights are considered domestic flights, so there is no need for a visa or passport. On the average, a round trip flight will cost around 4,000NT dollars.

Ferry prices range from 1,300-1,800 NT dollars depending on early bird rates, and weekday/holiday tickets and which port you leave from. You can also pay extra to bring your scooter or car on the ferry.

The ferry from Kaohsiung leaves at 8:30-9:00am daily. The night ferry leaves Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:00pm.

The ferry from Jiayi leaves 10:00-10:30am daily.

HOW TO BUY A TICKE T To Travel to Penghu

The online ticket sites for the ferries are all in Chinese. Here is a link.

But don’t despair if you can’t speak or read Chinese. All travel agents sell tickets including EZ Travel and Lion Travel which have several offices in every city. Airline tickets are also best bought through a travel agent.

PENGHU ORIENTATION

When you get to Penghu, it is best to get your hands on one of these maps. They not only give you a perfect look at the main areas of the islands, but they also list the main sites to visit in English and Chinese. The best way to see Penghu is by a scooter which is easily rent-able at the ferry port or quite possible from your hotel or BNB. In one long day you can cover a lot of ground. Head north from Magong City on the 203 and up and over and around to the west side islands.

Roads are clearly marked on your map and on the road. Route 203 from Magong City wraps up and over to the west side like a horseshoe and is well marked with little traffic.

WHAT TO SEE When You Travel to Penghu

Penghu’s sites are mostly natural. There are many rock formations, a huge banyan tree, nice beaches, and pretty ocean views. In additon, there are some intersting temples to visit as well as a lighthouse, fort, and a very long bridge. Here is a short list of some of the sites. As I mentioned above, English maps will have these sites listed and marked.

Some quick tips:

• the sun is strong on Penghu. Hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and even something to cover your body will protect you from getting easily sunburned.
• the wind can be very strong on Penghu especially if you go in the winter months.
• although there isn’t much traffic, wear a helmet to be safe while on your scooter.
• bring water while you are scootering around. There are shops and the occassional 7-11 if you forget. Stay hydrated.

Penghu Banyan Tree

The Tongliang Great Banyan Tree is one of the famous natural sites on Penghu. Located in front of a temple, this several hundred year old tree has spread and re-rooted to create a very cool tunnel up to the temple entrance. It is a nice shady retreat from the sun as well.

Penghu Great Bridge

Built in 1970, the Penghu Great Bridge links the islands of Baisha and Xiyu. You will need to scooter across this on your journey.

Penghu Whale Rock

Whale Rock resembles a sperm whale and is a nice place to enjoy the views. There is also a small street here selling drinks and food. This is another example of the rare columnar basalt which occurred when the lava rock cooled to make column shapes in the rock.

Penghu Er Kan Village

This old village has been preserved and gives visitors a look at the architecture and design of a traditional village on Penghu. Er Kan is worth a stop. You can enter some of the houses and see what the old lifestyle was like. There are also a few vendors selling drinks and snacks.

Penghu Da Yi Temple

The Da Yi Temple is an interesting stop. Before they were protected, 4 large sea turtles were raised here and still swim in the basement area of the temple. The government has allowed the temple to keep these turtles as they would not be able to survive in the wild. It’s a funky and one of kind thing to see.

Penghu West Fortress

The East and West Xiyu Forts once housed munitions and soldiers guarding Penghu.

Penghu Daguoye Columnar Basalt Wall

Columnar basalt formations are hard to find around the world. Penghu has a few popular sites and are nice photo ops.

Penghu Xiyu Lighthouse

Built in 1788, this lighthouse overlooks the famous Xiyu rapid stream of water.

Fenggui Blowholes

Erosion in the columnar basalt created holes in the rocks. When the tide rises and fills in the holes, and the wind blows from the south, the air inside the holes is pushed out creating sound like the waves. This is a popular place for both visitors and locals.

Penghu Beaches

Penghu has a lot of white, untouched, and pretty much empty beaches. Many are located on the southeast part of Huxi Island off Route 201. Aimen Beach is quite popular (and noisy) due to its jet skis and banana boats.

Penghu Cacti

With heavy winds and exposure to a strong sun, it’s no wonder that cacti grow all over the Penghu Islands. Don’t forget that cactus fruit ice cream is a favorite here.

Penghu Fishing Villages

Penghu still has a large fishing industry. Driving around, you will come across little harbors with docked fishing boats that add to the ambiance of this area.

Penghu Sunsets

Penghu has wonderful sunrises and sunsets with big skies and beautiful ocean.

There is a lot more to see and explore on Penghu. Enjoy!

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Explore Penghu

Plan Your Trip to Penghu: Best of Penghu Tourism

Essential penghu.

Penghu Is Great For

Art & history

Eat & drink

The great outdoors

Shopaholics

Sand & surf

• WangWang Resort
• Murraya Paniculata Villa
• Sea Verge B&B
• Provence Homestay B&B
• Qimei Deqi B&B
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• Crab Museum
• South Penghu Marine National Park
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Penghu Islands

Penghu (澎湖; Pénghú), once known as the Pescadores, is an archipelago of islands known for surf, sea, sand and sunshine. It's not so hot on must-see sights, though a preponderance of colourful temples feature preposterously ornate dragon-topped roofs with swallowtail eaves.

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Jibei Sand Tail

Those desert island paradise photos you probably saw on Penghu's promotion brochures and websites were most likely taken at Jibei Sand Tail, a dazzling…

Tianhou Temple

This celebrated 17th-century Matsu temple sports high, sweeping swallowtail eaves and a wealth of gorgeous Chaozhou-style woodcarvings, mostly from a 1922…

Penghu Aquarium

This large, family-friendly experience is home to an engrossing collection of living sea life, from a rescued three-legged turtle and magical family of…

Twin Hearts Stone Weir

Penghu's most photographed icon is a double hoop of stone walls linked to breakwaters in an ocean bay. Built with narrow openings, they were designed to…

Huazhai Traditional Dwellings

In the west coast fishing village of Zhongshe, over 130 small, traditional houses survive, most tightly packed in two photogenic huddles. Made of local…

Central Street

Magong's cute if minuscule historic heart is a forked alley of old-style shops directly east of the Tianhou (Matsu) Temple.

Penghu Living Museum

This large modern museum offers an excellent introduction to Penghu's history, culture and changing lifestyles. Memorable features include the explanation…

Erkan Old Residences

Penghu's only really 'complete' traditional village, low-slung Erkan oozes charm and is appealingly set on a grassy plateau raised above the sea…

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Penghu Islands with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

• 1.1 Weather
• 1.2 History
• 2.2 Islands
• 2.3 Other destinations
• 4.1 By plane
• 4.2 By ferry
• 5 Get around
• 6.1 Itineraries
• 7.1 Scooter and cycling around the island
• 7.2 Beaches
• 7.3 Southern Sea sailing
• 7.4 Northern Sea sailing
• 7.5 Snorkeling and Watersports
• 7.6 Birdwatching
• 7.7 Old Magong Castle walking tour
• 12 Stay safe

Penghu (澎湖 Pénghú in Mandarin, Phîⁿ-ô͘ or Phêⁿ-ô͘ in Minnan), also called the Pescadores is an outlying island archipelago in the Taiwan Straits between Taiwan and China, but much closer to the main island of Tawian. Both the Taiwan and Chinese governments agree that it forms one of the counties of Taiwan (while disagreeing on whether Taiwan as a whole is a separate country from Mainland China). As a strategic location gateway to the main island of Taiwan, it has historically been the site of various battles, and is still today home to several military bases. Tourism is mostly oriented around coastal scenery, seafood, beaches, and watersports.

Understand [ edit ]

The Penghu (pronounced "pung hoo") is an archipelago, not a single island. The sea around Penghu is a saturated turquoise and the sand coral, so pack beach footwear if you have it (some beaches though have very soft sand). Formed by ancient volcanic activity, the low-lying islands are famous in Taiwan for their volcanic basalt stone, which forms spectacular columns at many sites along the coast. The wind-scoured landscape is drier than most of Taiwan, with limited farmable land and lots of agave plants and prickly-pear cactuses. Hardy evergreen trees have been planted in many places as windbreaks.

Located to the west of the main island of Taiwan, is composed of 90 islets; most are uninhabited. There are 7 administrative districts, 1 city and 6 townships. The city is Magong (馬公) and the townships are Huxi (湖西), Baisha (白沙), Xiyu (西嶼), Qimei (七美), Wang'an (望安). Magong City, Huxi, Baishia and Xiyu are on Penghu's main islands; Qimei and Wang'an both are isolated islets in the southern sea.

Weather [ edit ]

As a rule of thumb, the summer months (April to September) are very hot and humid, usually over 30 degrees, and constitute the high season. The winter months (October to February) are very windy. March and April might be the best reason to visit. The island is much more quiet in winter time (low season), but often at the price of an extremely heavy wind. When the winds come, boats to other islands such as Qi-Mei are often cancelled.

History [ edit ]

Recorded history of Penghu dates back earlier than that of the main island of Taiwan. According to the documents, some Han Chinese from Southeastern Fujian (福建) sailed to Penghu and established the fishing communities in Song Dynasty (around 9th or 10th century). During the age of Mongol Empire (蒙古帝國) , based on more and more people gathering, the ruler began to set an official military unit (巡檢司) in Penghu, Penghu formally became an area of Fujian Province in Mongol Empire.

The next Empire Ming (Ming Dynasty, 1368-1624) ruled Penghu by convention. In the middle of Ming Dynasty, around the 15th Century, the South China Sea became the stage of International commerce among Chinese pirates, Japanese Ronin and European naval fleets. Penghu and Formosa also got involved in the keen competitions. According to the European documents, Penghu was called Pescadores then, meaning "The Island of Fisherman" in Portuguese.

1604, also the age of Discovery, Europeans had many conflicts in Asian area. The VOC (Dutch East India Company/Vereenigde Oostindische Compagie) planned to establish a trading point nearby China/Ming Empire. The Dutch tried to occupy Macau , but were defeated by the Portuguese. The VOC commander Wijbrand van Warwijck (韋麻郎) withdrew to Pescadores for settling down then sent a messenger to the Ming Empire to ask for permission to trade, but their request was refused. Moreover, the Ming Empire sent General Shang Zhouzuo (沈有容, 1557-1628) to expel the VOC fleets from Pescadores. This event was recorded in a stone tablet  : 「沈有容諭退紅毛番韋麻郎等」 (It means "Shang Zhouzuo expelled Wijbrant and his people"); you still can see the stone tablet at Tian-hou Temple (天后宮) in the present Magong City.

Another story happened in 1622. That moment, there were many conflicts on Southeastern Sea of Asia for commercial reasons within Europeans. So they would envy Portugal took Macau of China successfully. Coen, the officer of VOC, he heard another competitor Spanish would take over Formosa soon, so he gave Cornelis Reijersen an order : trying to establish a trading point in Pescadores or Formosa if he couldn't take Macau by Force. After lost the battle of Macau, Reijersen turned to stay in Penghu/Pescadores and began to build a fort in the present Fengguei/Fengkuei (風櫃), Magong City. Now the place is a famous scenic spot- Snake Head Hill (蛇頭山) .

2 years later (1624), Ming Empire changed a chief administrator of Fujian Province (named 南居益). He thought Penghu belonged to Ming Empire, he didn't allow the foreigner to occupy their territory, so Ming Empire expelled the Dutch fleets from Penghu by force again. Experienced 8 months surrounding war in Fort Fengguei , Reijersen reached agreement with Ming Empire, he was allowed to exploit​ Formosa (Still no man's land in 17th) but had to destroy their Fort Fengguei in Penghu. Therefore, all the building materials in there were moved to Formosa for building Fort Zeelandia (安平古堡).

Regions [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

Islands [ edit ], other destinations [ edit ].

Aimen Village (Ai-men) is located walking distance from Magong airport. Just turn left on the road outside the airport and walk down the road for 5 minutes. Aimen Village is walking distance to beautiful Aimen Beach. Just turn right and walk down the little lane as you enter Aimen Village. This lane is easy to locate as it is signposted and is also lined with coral fences. There are a few B & Bs in Aimen Village which are an easy walk to the beach.

Xiyu Island also has several villages such as Erkan Village that are not only worth visiting but also a good place to stay if you are looking for an island get-a-way holiday.

There are hundreds of B & Bs scattered across Penghu both in the Magong city area and dotted across all the inhabited islands of the archipelago.

• 23.25 119.666667 1 South Penghu Marine National Park – one of two marine national parks in Taiwan, best known for its charming Blue Cave. You'll need to join a boat tour or hire a charter to get here.

Talk [ edit ]

The common languages are Mandarin Chinese and the Penghu accent of Taiwanese . It is not rare to find people, especially young people, who also speak English and Japanese, but you are definitely best off being prepared to speak some Mandarin or Taiwanese in Penghu.

Get in [ edit ]

Penghu's main islands are accessible by boat or plane from Taiwan main island, and also by plane from the Kinmen island (just off the coast from Xiamen , China).

By plane [ edit ]

The main entry point of Penghu is the domestic Magong airport which is located in the middle of the main island, which is not walking distance to Magong city as it is a 20-minute drive from the city of Magong.

Magong Airport, Penghu from at least 6 domestic Taiwanese airports including Taipei (Songshan), Taichung , Jiayi , Tainan , Kaohsiung and Jinmen Island . Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines each provide frequent and convenient flights to Penghu. Both have English booking websites. A few regional international flights are expected to commence in the next few years.

Magong Airport is clean and modern, with cafés and free Wi-Fi. However, very few electric or USB appliances are available in the terminal.

A taxi ride from the airport to the city of Magong should not cost more than NT$300. However, if you are able to telephone and book a taxi ahead of your arrival in Mandarin Chinese the cost drops down to $20). Some taxi numbers: 0937713723; 0931873045. Taxi drivers do not speak English. Also, taxis do not use meters in Penghu, so make sure to ask the cost to your destination before you set off.

Many Penghu B & Bs and Hotels offer (often free) pick-up and drop-off to and from Magong Airport and the Harbour Ferry Terminal.

There are also some flights from Taiwan directly to Qimei Island in southern Penghu (a very small island, with public ferries to other parts of Penghu only once a day - only fly here if you've booked accomodations on the island or have planned the boat schedule very carefully).

By ferry [ edit ]

There is ferry all year round from Kaohsiung which takes 5 hours and 5 minutes, and arrives at a downtown Magong pier from where you can easily walk along the main street and around the downtown area. However, it is much more frequent in summer than in winter; also expect cancellations due to typhoons (summer) or strong wind (winter). From Kaohsiung to Magong costs NT$860-1700 one way in Summer 2011 (see full details online [dead link] ). Magong to Kaohsiung is slightly cheaper costing from $819-1619. This service may not be available every day and sailing times are subject to change according to the season. There may sometimes also be a ferry directly from Kaohsiung to Qimei Island in southern Penghu.

A smaller ferry sails between Magong Harbour and Putai (Budai) in Taiwan's Chiayi county, only in summer (until mid-October). This journey takes about 90 minutes. The main disadvantage is the Budai terminal is difficult to access by public transportation from other parts of Taiwan.

Get around [ edit ]

Distances are generally too far to walk, unless you plan to stay in a certain area the whole time.

Only those who hold either a current Taiwanese driving license or a current IDP (International Driving Permit - Taiwan is listed inside the front cover of this document as accepting the International Driving Permit) may rent vehicles. However, make sure your IDP includes a Chinese translation inside it. The airport is a 15-20 min drive from Magong city's main street, Zhong-Zheng Rd.

There are plenty of gas stations in Magong , but much fewer elsewhere. In addition, many of these close at 5pm (not in Magong though), so make sure you have enough gas when you leave for a trip throughout the main islands.

If you turn right as you walk outside the airport building you will find the public bus stop located on the corner of the airport building. The bus stop is clearly marked and also has a timetable and price list. This is by far the cheapest option.

There are public buses that travel all around the main bridge linked islands as far as Waian Village (Wai-an) which is located nearby the far end of Xiyu Island. The main bus terminal building is a large building about two streets over from Jhongjheng Rd walking away from and across the road from McDonald's.

See [ edit ]

In the main city of Magong major sights include the Tianhou Temple where sailors and fishermen have prayed to the sea goddess Mazu for safe seafaring for centuries. Nearby is the 400-year-old Four Eyes Well a single fresh water well with four holes so it can be used by many people at once. It is on a picturesque old street that has been tastefully restored to its former glory.

Hou Hsiao-Hsien's film The Boys from Fengkuei (風櫃來的人, 1983) was shot in Fengkuei, on the main island.

Itineraries [ edit ]

One night in Magong, then catch a boat to Qi-mei Island and stay in one of several B & Bs for the night. On returning to Magong spend another night in one of the many B & Bs in one of the villages that are scattered about the islands where you can view the ruins of and some restored traditional courtyard houses, particularly in Erkan Village, Xiyu, that are made from coral and local stones

Do [ edit ]

Scooter and cycling around the island [ edit ].

Ride a bicycle from Magong's Rainbow Bridge along the bicycle path beside the seashore is highly recommended. From here you get excellent views across the water to Xiyu Island.

Beaches [ edit ]

Tourists can take a walk along Shan-shui or Ai-men Beach, (each a NT$200 taxi ride away). Most tourists also like to take a boat ride to see some of the many other islands.

• Shan-shui (山水): Something of a "sleepy beach town". If you just want to chill out, you can have a self-contained vacation confined mostly to this town. The beach is pretty nice, with soft, golden-brown sand and clear water. A good place to swim if you're a competent swimmer, but other visitors should be warned that the bottom drops off and becomes deep fairly fast (many Taiwanese tourists don't know how to tread water, even if they've had swimming lessons). Many accommodations are within walking distance of the beach, and there are a few decent and reasonably-priced restaurants around the beach area. The beach is separated from the main street by a high dyke, so there's no beach view from the restaurants. The place tends to clear out at night as tourists go back to Magong city, which is a shame, because there a few nice chill-out bars near the beach.
• Shi-li (嵵裡)
• 713 walking trail
• Huxi Township: Lin-tou Park (林投), Ai-men (隘門), Long-Men Rubbish Beach (龍門後灣)
• Baisha Township: Hou-liao (後寮)
• Xiyu Township: Hou-lo (后螺), Nei-an (內垵), Xiao-Chi-Jiao (小池角)

Southern Sea sailing [ edit ]

Take a boat trip to Seven Beauty Island (in Chinese it is called Qi-mei although it is more often Romanised as Ci-mei or Chi-mei) an island to the south, is also highly recommended. The boat trip from the Magong harbourside South Sea Tourist Centre takes about 90 minutes and you get to see several other islands along the way. Qi-mei Island is a great place to stay in a B & B for one night. The island is small but hilly with cliffs falling into the sea on the southern side. Goats may be seen grazing across the island and another interesting feature is the dry stone and/or coral fences. The best way to travel around is on bikes and this should come as part of the B & B package. However, you will need a Taiwanese licence. Perhaps best to travel with some Taiwanese friends as almost no one speaks English here.

Northern Sea sailing [ edit ]

Ji-bei Island, is a short boat trip to the north and has some of the best beaches.

Snorkeling and Watersports [ edit ]

Watersports are popular in Penghu, with Jibei island in the north being the islands' mecca of high-energy water fun, though many options are available on the main island too. Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is particularly popular right now (as of 2022). Taiwanese tourists almost always do watersports as a part of guided group excursions. These tend to be "try something new" experiences for total beginners, so if you're an experienced sportsperson or explorer, be warned that you may find many of the tours very underwhelming.

Snorkeling tours are no exception - don't count on them to lead you to the best spots. If you have your own equipment and are an experienced snorkeler though, there are many good places to jump in the water and look around, often with good varieties of tropical fish and decent coral cover. Hangwan cove (杭灣) east of Shanshui is a popular place for snorkel tours that show tourists a few fish in the deep middle of the bay, but experienced snorkelers can find much better spots closer to the sides if they look around on their own. Another popular and relatively safe spot for independent snorkeling (many locals go here to hunt for sea urchins to eat) is the Humuhu (虎目滬) area in Xiyu, a shallow bay with small coral heads and lots of sealife that you can access either from the heart-shaped stone weir that tourists take photos on or from the sandy beach halfway around the cove. The best snorkeling in Penghu is said to be in the Four Southern Islands Marine National Park, which you'll need a tour or private charter boat to get to. You're also free to explore and find your own spots around the islands - just be very careful of currents and surge, just like you would be anywhere in the world (snorkel at your own risk).

Birdwatching [ edit ]

Penghu is one of the best places in Taiwan to seabirds in the tern family, mainly in the summer, when various species nest on the outlying islets. Skilled birders will be able to find most species just by walking coastal roads, but for the real experience you need to take a tour or charter boat to the isolated rocky nesting colonies, such as Dinggouyu (釘鉤嶼) in the northeast and Maoyu (貓嶼) in the southwest, or Pengpeng Sandbar (澎澎灘) in the north. Each has different combinations of species nesting there.

Penghu can also be good for shorebirds any time of year, and for all kinds of interesting and rare birds during spring migration, since it sits in the middle of the East Asian Flyway and offers a tempting place to rest for birds flying long distances over the ocean. Resident birdlife is limited, but there are some specialties like Eurasian Skylark (the official county bird) and Zitting Cisticola, which both can also be found on the main island of Taiwan, but are especially common here.

Old Magong Castle walking tour [ edit ]

English guide, introduction of Mazu Temple, Central old street or any other else if you mail to [email protected] (Roxie).

Eat [ edit ]

Penghu is known for seafood, as well as drinks and deserts made from the red-purple fruit of the local prickly-pear cactus. Many restaurants offer top-notch fresh seafood, including local delicacies like turban snails, "sea mushrooms" (actually a kind of sea slug), and pufferfish skin, although this tends to be quite expensive. One of the more affordable local seafood specialties is a kind of small squid called xiaoguan (小管), which is added to soups and noodles and can also be fried or barbecued (but shouldn't be mistaken with the larger xiaojuan (小卷) squid-on-a-stick, which are also tasty but mostly imported from Argentina).

The best place for western style bread, cake, coffee and tea is Donutes which is on a main road corner down the hill from McDonald's.

Brown Sugar Cake (黑糖糕) can be ordered from several shops along the alley way down from the old well where you can also find Grass Jelly (仙草凍刨冰) and Pink Cactus Fruit Sorbet Ice Cream (仙人掌冰) which is widely available in Magong or on Wangan Island.

Spicy Red Oil Wontons (四川紅油抄手) can be found at 四川席炒手馬公市仁愛路25號 in Magong City Tel +886-6-9272899 Western food in Penghu is not only limited to McDonald's. The 5-star Pescadores Hotel offers western style food as does the "He-tian" M Hotel which is at No. 2, MínQuán Rd, Magong, Tel +886 6 926 3936 which is an easy walk from the main street.

Drink [ edit ]

There are a few bars scattered around Magong mostly near the centre of the city. There are also a few cute outdoor bars in the Shanshui beach area.

Buy [ edit ]

There are a lot of ATMs in Magong , but fewer elsewhere. Most shops only accept cash. You might search for ATMs by Bank of Taiwan (臺灣銀行) or Bank of Yushan (玉山銀行) in downtown for withdrawing cash.

Connect [ edit ]

Most hotels have free Wi-Fi. The 4G is available virtually everywhere on the main islands of the archipelago.

Stay safe [ edit ]

As everywhere (or even more than elsewhere) in Taiwan, Penghu is very safe: virtually no thefts, and a population always willing to help.

Typhoons are common in this part of the world during the summer months so remember to keep an eye on weather forecasts as flights may be delayed or cancelled when there is a typhoon.

In winter, Penghu is also well known for very strong winds, so if you drive a motorbike, make sure to drive carefully. Frequent "strong wind" road signs will remind you anyway.

Be careful swimming at beaches, especially if you're not an experienced swimmer. The gaps between the islands can sometimes have tidal currents, and the water at most beaches isn't shallow enough to wade far out from land (but tend to be safe places for competent swimmers to go swimming).

Go next [ edit ]

• Kinmen island

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All of the islands in Penghu have a similar terrain, and most of them are flat. Clear seawater, pure beaches and beautiful skies make Penghu a favorite ocean resort area. Both 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 Tianhou, Wusheng, City God, Bao-an Temples, and the Guanyin Pavilion. There are also many important sites with great historical value. 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 Magong, where tourists can find inexpensive and beautiful artworks carved from various kinds of stone.

Penghu Visitor Center It offers introductions of Penghu's tourism resources, journey consultation, multi media playing and wireless network.

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Travel Information

Magong City → County Hwy 204

Take an airplane to Penghu Airport or a ferry to Magong Harbor and transfer Penghu County Bus Yellow Line - Fenggui Line, Yellow Line - Shanshui Line, Green Line - Jianshan Line or Green Line - Longmen Line from Magong Bus Station to Penghu Visitor Center stop.

Accessible Transportation

Public: Take an airplane to Penghu Airport or a ferry to Magong Harbor and transfer Penghu County Bus Yellow Line - Fenggui Line, Yellow Line - Shanshui Line, Green Line - Jianshan Line or Green Line - Longmen Line (Some buses are low-floor) from Magong Bus Station to Penghu Visitor Center stop.

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PENGHU Trip — What a Wonderful Island!

Exploring scenery, nature, beaches, seafood, and quaint villages on a penghu trip.

Text | Rick Charette Photos |  Chen Kuo-cheng

The Penghu Islands will be whatever you wish them to be. What is it you desire? Beach-action and water-play tour? Island-hopping tour? History tour? Seafood and fishing tour? On these pages we’re off on a geology/ecology exploration adventure.

At last,” I thought to myself as my plane swept past one after another low-lying island , low enough that I could clearly see captains at the helms of fishing boats chugging in and out of the small harbors. I was finally about to set foot on the pristine Penghu Islands, after two aborted trips over the past 15 years. From my window I could also clearly see they fully deserved the commonly-used description “like pearls scattered in the sea.”

Located off Taiwan proper’s southwest coast, close enough that while your plane descends or climbs you clearly see the archipelago out the windows on one side and the settlements and high-mountain backdrop of Taiwan out the other, Penghu has become a popular tourist destination over the past two decades, in large part because of systematic tourism-infrastructure investment since the Penghu National Scenic Area’s establishment in the early 1990s.

The islands are very much a world unto themselves, with a geology and culture wholly different from the Taiwan mainland. Characterized by small fishing ports and farm plots, the latter with earth-hugging crops such as peanuts, melons, and gourds because of the strong northern winter winds that blow down the Taiwan Strait, there are few towns, and just one “city,” Magong, population 56,000-plus. You’ll see coral reefs along the shorelines, fine coral-sand beaches, low walls of coral protecting crops, and countless old residences with coral used as a primary building material. These many ingredients make this place a well-nigh perfect getaway from busy places.

You’ll also see basalt columns, by the thousands. What is a basalt column, you ask? Read on and you shall be enlightened, for the primary purpose of my trip was to explore Penghu’s geology and ecology, with a little time reserved, of course, for good summertime fun-for-the-sake-of-fun, good food, and a bit of history exploration.

Main Islands

I was part of a group of four friends, on a three-day Penghu trip. Days 1 and 2 were to be spent traveling the sleepy roads of the three bridge-connected main islands, Penghu, Baisha, and Xiyu, in the quintessential local manner – by scooter. Day 3 would begin with a ferry ride to one of the many outlying islands, Wang’an, where we’d travel the sleepy roads in, yes, the same quintessential local manner. We’d return to Magong by ferry, then fly out back to Taipei.

Within 15 minutes of sitting down at the Magong Airport car/scooter rental counter, we were breezing down open road. A reminder: Penghu has limited tree cover, so good sunblock is a must.

Guoye Sunrise Observatory

Our first day’s destinations were all on Penghu island, the largest of the archipelago. Our first stop was Guoye Sunrise Observatory , on Penghu’s easternmost edge. The tide was out, and we inspected the many types of small crabs and other inter-tidal marine life. While inspecting the unusually colorful Daoist temple in the sleepy village behind, we were watched intently by a large rooster in the plaza before it – the “village mayor,” said one local – and I was fascinated by a blue lorry that stopped here and at other village points. This was the “village store,” the locals reported, sounding its arrival via mounted loudspeakers, canopied truck bed piled high with racks themselves piled high with spices, cleaners, and myriad other household necessities. My European buddies said these are still common enough in rural Europe, but I, a North American, had never before heard of or seen such a thing.

Kuibishan Geopark

Our next stop was Kuibishan Geopark , in Penghu’s northeast corner. A long coral-and-rock pathway, exposed at low tide, leads to a small island, where we had our first close-up inspection of the archipelago’s famed basalt columns. Almost all of its scores of islands have basalt-column bases, created between 17 and 8 million years ago when lava shot through seabed faults as the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates fought for dominance (the fight continues today, though things are quiet here). As the lava blasted up through seawater and air it was super-cooled, quickly drying and cracking into columns.

Shanshui Beach

I cannot say we got up bright and early, for though it was indeed exceedingly early, bright it was not. We headed out in pitch-black darkness to catch one of the famed sunrises at Guoye Sunrise Observatory , and were not disappointed. It was ethereal. Though it is said that on clear days you can see the mountains of Taiwan, on this day we were not obliged.

After a needed nap, we motored over to Shanshui Beach , near Penghu island’s southernmost tip. The popular golden-sand, turquoise-water beach stretches hundreds of meters, and is very wide. Vacationers come to sunbathe, swim, surf, and windsurf, and there is good snorkeling off the south end. The sand is piled high in a long dune that makes the beach invisible from the village behind and protects it from tidal surges. The village sports numerous guesthouses and eateries, including a burger joint.

Fenggui Blowholes

It was then a quick drive over to the Fenggui Blowholes , in the island’s southwest corner. The pounding sea has carved trenches and boreholes in the basalt-column cliffs here, and when the waves are surging they roar into the caves and blow out the cliff-top openings, which you can stand right beside (careful!). Fenggui means “wind cabinets,” and the rushing water and air create impacts like thunderclaps. The trick, local villagers told us, is to come when there are winds from the south/southwest, when nature’s pounding is at its strongest.

Baisha Island

From here we drove north, to Baisha island, to see its best-known scenic attraction, the Tongliang Great Banyan . It stands in little Tongliang fishing village, which faces the inland sea formed by Penghu’s three main islands, before centuries-old Bao’an Temple. Over 300 years old, this is Penghu’s oldest and largest tree. Its branches stretch out in all directions, creating a huge foliage canopy. There is an amazing 95 aerial feet, and unless you look closely it’s almost impossible to tell they’re all from a single trunk.

Xiyu Island

We spent the rest of our day inspecting some of the main islands’ most impressive basalt-column formations, the Daguoye Columnar Basalt , Secret Three Stone Walls , and Chixi Rock Waterfall , located close to each other in Xiyu’s mid-section. The first faces the inland sea, with a sweeping view toward Magong far across the water. The second features a set of three column-walled dead-end canyons that have been dug out of the island’s farmland-dotted plateau. The third is on the west side, before an abandoned coast-side fish farm busy with marine life, including sea cucumbers, eels, and crabs. We watched the sun set sitting atop the “rock waterfall” cliff, enjoying a serene end to a day of beauty and inspiration.

Wang’an Island

In the morning we took the regular Magong-Wang’an ferry, making our way south 50 minutes through a romantic fog that obligingly dispersed as we docked. Wang’an is Penghu’s fourth-largest island; low in the south, it rises to 53 meters (Tiantai Hill) in the north. We headed out on the two-wheeled motorized steeds we’d rented from one of the multiple pier-facing outlets, zooming along the island’s easy-grade loop road.

First up was the Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Center, which fronts one of the island’s protected beaches where sea turtles come to lay their eggs (note that there are organized in-season viewings, with limited spaces). Its exterior is in the stylized shape of a turtle, and inside are displays on Penghu’s marine ecology, with English provided. There’s an English introductory video, and English-speaking guides can be booked. The highlight is a small aquarium that is a temporary home for turtles undergoing rehabilitation after being found sick or injured.

A military history buff, I found our next stop, the Yuanyang Caves , irresistible. The secluded cove and valley has numerous caves, many now collapsed, dug by forced local labor in WW II to hide Japanese suicide boats. You can also view the stone foundations of barracks, a cookhouse, hidden gun emplacements, and other structures. I couldn’t help but think how lonely a posting this must have been, soldiers endlessly scanning the horizon for death-promising excitement that never came, the Allied juggernaut bypassing these particular tiny specks of real estate.

Soaring Tiantai Hill – well, it looks mighty in comparison to the flat land and flat sea surrounding it – offers wonderful kaleidoscopic views over Wang’an and its numerous nearby islands. The hill has a tall basalt-column foundation, with a dramatically exposed seaside section viewable to adventurous types willing to tackle the sometimes steep 15-minute walk from the hilltop. Off to the west you can see miniscule Huayu, Penghu’s westernmost island, which a local tour-group guide told me is inhabited and has both a police station and a one-room school.

Our final Wang’an stop was Zhongshe , an old fishing village of narrow alleys and densely clustered heritage residences, almost all stone/coral-built. The majority are still inhabited, and many have been returned to their original state to attract tourists. The refurbished homes of the rich of former days are easy to identify – white stucco covers the walls to reflect the intense sun, and they are decorated with beautiful glazed ceramic tiles featuring individual paintings.

On our ferry ride back, 10 minutes out of Magong our captain slowed down off Tongpan Islet , one of Penghu’s most iconic sights. Almost completely encircled by 20-meter-high basalt-column cliffs, as I admired its harmony and beauty I thought to myself that this was the perfect exclamation point to a wonderful trip. The columns, in fact, reminded me of thousands of exclamation points. In less than an hour I was on a plane and well on my home, busy Taipei, happy and content about our Penghu trip.

Getting There and Around There are regular flights and ferry runs between Penghu and Taiwan proper, regular ferry services between Penghu’s islands, and car/scooter rental facilities at various locations. Your best source for details is the Penghu National Scenic Area website ( www.penghu-nsa.gov.tw ).

Penghu Tours on Klook Snorkeling and Yachting Day Tour in Penghu by Hsing Yu Yacht Discovery Hotel Stay Penghu Highlights Sightseeing Car Charter from Magong Canoe, SUP, and Snorkeling Experience in Penghu by PIDC Four Points By Sheraton Penghu Stay

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About the author

• Rick Charette

A Canadian, Rick has been resident in Taiwan almost continually since 1988. His book, article, and other writings, on Asian and North American destinations and subjects—encompassing travel, culture, history, business/economics—have been published widely overseas and in Taiwan. He has worked with National Geographic, Michelin, APA Insight Guides, and other Western groups internationally, and with many local publishers and central/city/county government bodies in Taiwan. Rick also handles a wide range of editorial and translation (from Mandarin Chinese) projects. 

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Penghu Great Bridge

The Penghu Great Bridge spans the How Men Channel between Baisha and Xiyu Islands. The water flows swiftly, with a reported current speed of up to 3 meters per second, making it the second most treacherous current in the waters of Penghu.After reconstruction and expansion into a dual-lane bridge, it has greatly improved transportation convenience. Whether you approach it from the Baisha or Xiyu side, you can see a white archway with the golden words "Penghu Trans-Oceanic Bridge" on the right, making it a very famous landmark.

Jibei yu has a total area of approximately 3.1 square kilometers and a coastline of about 13 kilometers. It is the largest island in the North Sea and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The island's terrain is higher in the east and lower in the west, characterized by beautiful sandy beaches and sandbars formed by marine sedimentary features. The largest of these beaches is located in the southwest of the island, extending southward from Mount Xikanjian. The waters around Jibei yu are densely populated with stone weirs, with 88 of them remaining out of more than 580 in the entire county. During low tide, you can walk from the local spot known as "Hong Wan Tsai" to the northwest, passing through the islets. On both the eastern and western sides of Hong Wan Tsai, there is a dense concentration of coastal stone weirs, accounting for about half of the stone weirs on Jibei yu (approximately 40). These stone weirs, built by residents using intertidal zones and constructed from basalt, are one of the most distinctive cultural landscapes on Jibei yu.

Large Pillow Lava Columns

During the Japanese colonial period, a pier was constructed by the sea at Dacozai Beach to facilitate maritime transportation between Magong and Xiyu. While excavating stones and soil for this construction, a magnificent columnar basalt formation that had been buried in the earth for thousands of years was unexpectedly discovered. This formation can be described as the easily accessible columnar basalt of Penghu Island.

Xiaochijiao's Double-Curved Bridge

The winding Double-Curved Bridge extends into the sea at Xiaochijiao in Xiyu Township. The pristine bridge is adorned with green pavilions on both sides in the distance, offering unique views whether in the daytime or evening. Xiaochijiao's Double-Curved Bridge is situated in the intertidal zone. During high tide, it presents a stunning scene of the blue sky meeting the crystal-clear, gradually deepening waters below. At low tide, vast stretches of intertidal rocky terrain are revealed.

DongTai Fort

DongTai Fort, also known as East Fort of Xiyu, was initially constructed during the reign of Emperor Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty. It was built as a modern coastal defense fortification on Xiyu Island. However, at the time of its construction, the modern cannons intended for the fort had not yet been installed. During the Sino-French War, when the fort came under attack by French forces, it was unable to retaliate, leading to the occupation of Xiyu and Magong by the French. Following the resolution of hostilities between Qing China and France, French forces withdrew from Penghu. Liu Ming-chuan, the Qing governor-general of Taiwan, repeatedly urged for the reinforcement of Penghu's coastal defenses. In 1887, the construction of four coastal defense forts to safeguard Penghu began, and DongTai Fort is one of them.

Kuibishan Geological Park

In the northern part of Beiliao Village in Huxi, there is a mountain known as Kueibishan, commonly called 'Turtle Back Mountain.' Later, it was officially named 'Kueibishan' to better reflect its pronunciation. Kueibishan Geological Park includes Kueibishan itself and Chiyu. During low tide, a long, S-shaped pebble path is exposed as the sea recedes, connecting the two areas. This is a typical land-linked island formation, allowing you to walk to Chiyu during low tide. Kueibishan Geological Park is rich in basalt with olivine, known as 'Fan Zi Shi' in Chinese, and features various marine erosion formations. These geological characteristics are of great significance to the local geological park. Since ancient times, Kueibishan has been known as one of the 'Kueibi Lianhui,' listed among the old eight scenic spots of Penghu.

Xiying Rainbow Bridge

The area near the West Guanyin Pavilion is renowned for its sailing activities, attracting enthusiasts from near and far. During low tide, it transforms into an excellent natural swimming spot. The highlight is a curved steel bridge stretching approximately 200 meters, resembling a rainbow leaping above the sea. It presents a completely different romantic spectacle during the day and night, becoming a new landmark in Penghu. Sunsets, fireworks, the seascape, and numerous sailing boats contribute to the new appearance of Rainbow Bridge, making it the most beautiful tourist attraction for visitors to enjoy distant sea views.

Penghu Tianhou Temple

The first Mazu Temple in Taiwan is located at the Tianhou Temple in Penghu. Historical records date it back to the 32nd year of the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era. It had various names in the past, including Tianfei Temple, Mamao Temple, Niangma Temple, and Magong Temple, which were all named after locations in Penghu at the time. Due to its strategic location between mainland China and Taiwan, Penghu became a relay station for foreign powers invading Taiwan. The Qing Dynasty government dispatched Shen Yourong and Shi Lang to Taiwan, with Shi Lang defeating the Ming Zheng forces and taking control of Penghu. It was believed that Tianfei Mazu had intervened and aided in this victory. Therefore, an imperial edict from Emperor Kangxi was sought, and Tianfei Mazu was enshrined as 'Tianhou' (Empress of Heaven), with the honor of a 'Golden Face.' The temple's name was then changed to 'Tianhou Temple,' and it became the oldest Tianhou temple in Taiwan's history, designated as a first-class historical site.

Zhongyang Old Street

Central Street, also known as 'The First Street,' is the oldest developed street in Penghu. It was officially designated as a 'Historical Site Preservation Specific Zone' in the 73rd year of the Republic of China. In the year 83 of the Republic of China, the residents of Penghu Old Street formed the 'Penghu First Street Revitalization Association' and received government subsidies for restoration and reconstruction efforts. The street was refurbished to resemble Minnan architectural style seen today, capitalizing on the tourism boom in Penghu, allowing the old street to relive its past glory.

Wang-an Beach

Wang-an Beach, also known as Wang-an Mouth Beach, is located at the southern tip of Wang-an Island. It features a U-shaped shoreline with clean, fine white sand stretching for about one kilometer, making it an excellent destination for swimming during the summer. The grassy area behind the beach serves as a nesting site for green sea turtles and has been designated as a protected area for their nesting. Wang-an Beach, often referred to as the 'Cocktail Beach,' offers a unique experience as the sea water exhibits varying shades throughout the day due to changing sunlight angles. To fully appreciate this rare beauty, consider planning an overnight stay in Wang-an, allowing you to experience the tranquility of Wang-an Beach and witness its different beachscapes during the morning and evening.

Twin-Heart Stone Weir

Stone weirs are a showcase of our ancestors' wisdom. They are fish traps built using basalt and coral reefs. The romantic design of Seven Beauties' Twin-Heart Stone Weir attracts many couples, making it a representative attraction for Penghu tourism. Among the many stone weirs in the Penghu region, the Twin-Heart Stone Weir is the most well-preserved. To see the complete heart-shaped stone weir, you must first confirm the daily low tide time.

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Penghu is the most shining pearl in the Taiwan Strait

Ninety islands in Penghu are the accumulation of historical and cultural wisdom,with magnificent ocean views that fill every corner of Penghu with praise for nature.

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[Penghu Travel Guide] Penghu Free Travel Lazy Package, the strongest guide for transportation, check-in attractions, and must-do water activities

Penghu is an outlying island of Taiwan composed of more than 90 islands. Fireworks festivals, basalt rocks, seafood feasts, blue sky and sea should be the first impression of many people on Penghu. TWOSEVENTHS This time, I have sorted out the weather, traffic, must-see attractions and other information necessary for independent travel in Penghu. The most important thing is that there are recommendations for various interesting water activities in Penghu. Come and refer to this article for the most comprehensive travel guide in Penghu!

This time TWOSEVENTHS Mysterio

Penghu Free Traveler like to walk around Wen

What is Mysterio?

As ordinary consumers who go to the store to experience activities, from online reservations to after experiencing the activities, they must keep a low profile and be like other guests, assisting TWOSEVENTHS When evaluating event stores, mystery guests can be college students, office workers, mothers, middle-aged and elderly people.

Table of Contents

Penghu is suitable for tourist season, traffic between taiwan main island and penghu, penghu tourist transportation, penghu fireworks festival, 6 recommended penghu ig spots, 6 recommended penghu water activities, 4 kinds of penghu island hopping one-day tour recommended.

Penghu is the peak tourist season from April to September every year. Fireworks Festival This is the beginning of Penghu's popular tourism. During this period, the temperature is above 30 degrees during the day and around 25 degrees at night, which is quite suitable for outdoor water activities. Although October to March is the off-season for tourism, the temperature during the day is comfortable, there are fewer crowds, and it is not easy to encounter rainy days. As long as you pay attention to the low temperature and strong wind at night, and be prepared to keep warm, you can still enjoy Penghu.

There are two main modes of transportation from the main island of Taiwan to Penghu, by air or by boat. The following two routes are introduced for you:

Flying machine

There are currently 5 airports in Taiwan that fly to Magong City, Penghu, including Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung Ching Chuan Kang Airport, Chiayi Water Airport, Tainan Airport, and Kaohsiung Xiaogang Airport. The flight is fast and comfortable, and it takes less than 60 minutes to arrive. Avoid the possible dizziness of riding the wind and waves, and enjoy Taiwan's charming sea view from a high altitude. It is a good choice if the budget is relatively generous. For detailed flight information, please refer to Penghu Airport Official Website .

If the budget is tight, it is quite convenient to go there by boat.Taiwan Island currently has flights from Budai Port in Chiayi and Anping Port in Tainan to Magong, Penghu. The boat journey is about 75-90 minutes, and the disembarkation point in Penghu is near the urban area, so the traffic is more convenient. However, if you go in winter, some shipping companies It will be suspended due to the northeast monsoon, remember to board before departure Budai Port Passenger Service Center , Eastern Union Shipping Official website for the latest news.

Generally, there are four ways for people to travel to Penghu: public transportation, renting a car, renting a locomotive, or chartering a car. The following is an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of the four transportation methods in Penghu, and you can choose according to your needs:

Renting a car in Penghu is very suitable for traveling throughout the year. You can turn on the air conditioner or heater in a comfortable car, and it is very convenient whether you want to go to the North Ring Road or the South Ring Road.However, parking in Magong City is not easy, and illegal parking bills are strict. If you only play in the city, you can rent a motorcycle. However, if you want to try Penghu to drive around the island comfortably, renting a car in Penghu is still the most recommended way.

Recommended reading: [Penghu Car Rental Recommendation] Check out this article for self-driving in Penghu! 4 Penghu Car Rental Agencies Evaluation

Renting a locomotive in Penghu should be the first choice of many people. It is highly mobile and cheap. The price of renting a locomotive in Penghu is about $250-$700 a day (electric cars or gasoline cars are available), and parking in urban areas is much more convenient than cars.But of course, the big sun in summer and the strong wind in winter in Penghu will inevitably affect the comfort of riding a motorcycle.

chartered car

The local car charter method in Penghu is quite different from that in Taiwan. The main reason is that the car charter company will have a predetermined sightseeing tour route, and tourists can choose the route they are interested in instead of flexibly adjusting or customizing the route according to the needs of tourists. , so it is more inconvenient for passengers who want to travel freely.But if it is the first time to Penghu, and a group of people are supporting the old and the young, it is a convenient choice for someone to help plan the itinerary and drive.

mass transit

Because Penghu public transportation is mainly designed for local people, there are few shifts and routes, and it is not oriented to the needs of tourists. Even the location of the bus station is a long way from the scenic spot, so although it can save a lot of transportation costs, However, the commuting time will be very long, and it is the least recommended way to travel to Penghu.

The Penghu Fireworks Festival can be said to be one of the most popular tourist festivals in Taiwan. Even if you have never been to Penghu, you must have heard of the name of the Fireworks Festival. Since the Fireworks Festival was first held in 2003, it has become the most famous local feature in Penghu. Fireworks are usually set off at fixed times from the end of April to the end of June every year. It is also known as a must-see fireworks in Taiwan. Combined with the stunning scenery of Penghu Harbor, it will definitely be an unforgettable experience. In addition to the Guanyin Pavilion, the best place to watch fireworks is by SUP paddling, taking a cruise, etc. These are all unique ways to watch the fireworks up close. For more information about the Penghu Fireworks Festival, please refer to Penghu Fireworks Festival Guide .

There are many ways to travel in Penghu. Humanities, history, and nature all have different aspects that can be explored. TWOSEVENTHS The 6 shared attractions are suitable for those who come to Penghu for the first time to check in:

Moses divides the sea

Moses divided the sea, a scene that appeared in the Bible, but I did not expect to witness it with my own eyes in the Kuibi Mountain Recreation Area in Penghu.Whenever the tide ebbs, the sandbar connected to the uninhabited island Chiyu will be exposed, and tourists can walk directly to the opposite bank.However, if you want to see this wonderful scene, you need to do a little homework. In addition to confirming the low tide time on the Internet in advance, there are only open safe passage periods from 3 hours after high tide to 2 hours after low tide. The time point changes slightly every day. Plan ahead to avoid blowouts.

Houliao Tiantang Road

Penghu Houliao Paradise Road is located in the depths of Houliao Beach in Baisha Township. The winding road leads to the other end of the sea. The photos are super dreamy.This location is the same as Moses' Sea, you need to watch the tide to meet the most beautiful moment. Usually, it is recommended that the most beautiful two hours before and after high tide is because the stones next to the dry tide will be exposed, and the water level is too high when the tide is high. Flooding on the trail will increase the danger, but it should be noted that the road here is very narrow and slippery, so be careful when bringing children.

Chixi Rock Waterfall

Chixiyan Waterfall is located in Xiyu, Penghu. It is named for its columnar basalts that look like waterfalls. In front of the rock waterfall is the abandoned Jiukong Farm. When the tide is low, you can go directly to the center to take pictures. It has caught all the farms and farms, and some people even call it "like walking into the ruins of the ancient civilization of Atlantis", and every shot is an IG blockbuster.

Erkan Settlement

Erkan Settlement is located in Xiyu, Penghu. It is a settlement with a history of 300 years. It still retains the Hokkien-style courtyard buildings from Kinmen in the past, and incorporates the Goku stone walls with local characteristics of Penghu. Walking inside is like walking Into the time tunnel.In addition to the rich cultural history here, there are also many delicacies hidden in it, such as bean curd, almond tea, cactus ice, etc. It is absolutely no problem to hang around for an afternoon.

The Penghu Sea-Crossing Bridge should be a place where all tourists who go to Penghu will take pictures, as if they have never been to Penghu without taking a photo with the arch bridge.The Penghu Sea-Crossing Bridge connects the two islands of Baisha and Xiyu, with a total length of about 2.5 kilometers. It is the longest bridge in Taiwan. When the weather is fine, you can sit by the bridge and enjoy the magnificent sea view. It is very pleasant to enjoy the gentle sea breeze.

Wind Cabinet Tingtao

Fenggui is a fishing village to the south of Magong. The sea cave here resonates when the waves hit the rocks, so this recommended scenic spot in Penghu is called: Fenggui Tingtao.Just next to Fenggui Tingtao, there is a two-story white circular pavilion. Because of its special shape, it looks like an alien UFO, and it unexpectedly became a popular photo spot.In addition to listening to the sound of the sea when you come to Fenggui, don’t forget to go to the UFO Pavilion and take a photo of the alien landing!

Penghu Island is surrounded by the sea and has a variety of islands and sea ecology. Playing in the water here is a great enjoyment in summer. In addition to the common snorkeling, SUP canoes, etc., Penghu has also launched many special activities, such as Penghu seabed walk, wide-board water skiing, night fishing small tube, ocean ranch, etc., most activities are recommended to make an appointment in advance to avoid disappointment.

Diving (deep diving, freediving, snorkeling)

Recommended reading: [Penghu Diving Recommendation] Experience Fun Dive must-see before taking the test, 5 Penghu scuba diving shops evaluation

Sea Kayak/SUP Stand Up Paddle

Recommended reading: [Penghu SUP Recommendation] Different ways to enjoy Penghu, 4 Penghu SUP stand up paddle experience evaluation

Night Exploration of Dragon Palace

Recommended reading: Night Exploration Dragon Palace FB

Wakeboarding in Penghu, also known as "style water skiing" or "water skiing", is now one of the official events of the Olympic Games. The tension of the rope allows you to glide on the water leisurely, enjoying the thrill of sliding quickly on the water, and even people who can't swim can get started.There are many water skiing shops in Penghu, each of which has different differences depending on the price, whether it includes insurance, photography, etc., but usually there are professional coaches who teach in advance and accompany them throughout the activity, so there is no need to worry about safety.

Penghu underwater walk is a very interesting activity. The only underwater walk in Taiwan is in Penghu. Usually, the store uses tourists to snorkel by themselves or a large SUP to take tourists to the big boat in the sea. After wearing the helmet on the boat, go into the sea and enjoy the seabed The thrill of walking.You will be accompanied by a coach throughout the whole process. You can feed fish, watch coral reefs, visit underwater mailboxes, etc. Some stores also provide services for taking beautiful photos. Even if you don’t know how to swim, you can get a glimpse of the underwater world under the guidance of a coach. , the best thing is that it will not wet your makeup and hair, and girls who love beauty don't have to worry about it.The price of the Penghu Undersea Walk is usually between $1,000-$1,500. Each store will launch a different package itinerary, such as combining different activities such as snorkeling, SUP paddling, diving, etc. You can choose according to your interests and budget.

night fishing tube

There are many recommended stores for night fishing small tubes in Penghu, and the price is around $400. The main differences lie in the place where the boat is taken, the location of night fishing, whether there are small tube sashimi, small tube noodles, etc. The whole process takes about 2.5 hours.Don’t worry if you don’t have any fishing experience. Special fishing rods and baits will be prepared on board. Experienced instructors will teach you how to catch small pipes at night.However, it should be noted that the season when the small pipes are abundant is around May-September every year. It is recommended to come to Penghu at this time to fish for small pipes at night to have a better chance of returning with a rewarding experience!

sea ​​ranch

Penghu Ocean Ranch is a new form of tourism in Penghu, emphasizing the use of the sea as a field and fish as pasture. Tourists can experience the fun of fishing in cage farms.The difference between different stores in Penghu Ocean Ranch is mainly the boarding location and flight time, but experiences such as oysters, seafood porridge, sea BBQ, singing karaoke, squid fishing & sea carp experience are available in almost every itinerary.Some stores offer package itineraries that will go out to sea at sunset, or match the fireworks time during the Fireworks Festival. It is very romantic to be able to watch the sunset and fireworks while eating seafood. Penghu Ocean Ranch is recommended for those who want to find new ways to play in Penghu!

If you are a tourist who has come to Penghu more than once, you should try the advanced island hopping one-day tour in Penghu. There are many islands in Penghu with their own characteristics, such as the classic Qimei Wang'an Island, like a "Taiwanese version of Maldi" Jibe Island, known as the Husband, and the four southern islands where you can see underwater lavender each have their own unique beauty and play methods. The following will share four kinds of island-hopping one-day tour itineraries for your reference.

seven beauties

The island hopping one-day tour of the two islands of Qimei Wangan is the most classic itinerary. You can choose to buy tickets and take a boat to go there. Locomotive rental, etc., if it is convenient, it is quite recommended.Qimei Island is located at the southernmost tip of the Penghu Islands. The classic scenic spots are Double Heart Stone Lake, Little Taiwan, Wangfu Stone, Qimei Ren Tomb, etc. It takes about an hour to complete a circle around the island without stopping; while Wang'an Island is green The Loggerhead Turtle Conservation Center is famous, and there are other scenic spots such as Yuanyang Cave, Tiantai Mountain, and Huazhai Settlement. These two islands are less about water sports, and more about learning about the culture and ecology of Penghu.

Southern Four Islands

The four southern islands of Penghu are composed of four major islands with large areas: Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, Dongyupingyu, Xiyupingyu, and surrounding small islands. In 2014, it became the ninth national park in Taiwan. The Southern Four Islands National Park is famous for its rich and precious marine ecology, and the beautiful underwater coral reefs are a world-class diving paradise.Because of the inconvenient transportation on these islands, it is recommended to buy a package itinerary. In addition to solving the traffic problem, under the guidance and guidance of professionals, you can learn more knowledge and protect your own safety.Among them, there are two must-see itineraries among the four southern islands. One is the blue hole that can be seen in Xiji Island without going to Italy, and you can feel the blue mystery that appears when the sun refracts the water; the other is to go to Wangyou Island. Snorkeling and visiting the underwater lavender garden, usually the two itineraries will be combined, go to Wangyou Island during the day, and go to the secret place to see the purple staghorn coral reef in the afternoon. It really looks like a beautiful and dreamy lavender garden underwater.

The classic itinerary of Penghu’s East China Sea one-day tour includes Lobster Island, Peng Peng Beach and Bird Island, and some will join Yuanbei Island. Although there are boats to and from these places, there are not many flights and it is inconvenient to book tickets by yourself. It is recommended to go with a group.The one-day tour of the East China Sea will start from Qitou Wharf. The subsequent itinerary combination depends on the purchase itinerary. You can choose according to your budget and time.The Lobster Island will only appear when the tide is low. You can quarry oysters on this uninhabited island and eat them freshly, guide you to catch lobsters in the water, and enjoy the beautiful coral scenery without diving.Peng Peng Beach is known as the most beautiful beach in Penghu. The beauty of the blue sea and blue sky is super dreamy. You can play water sports there, such as transparent canoes, SUP, etc., and have a bowl of lobster instant noodles. How pleasant it is.Bird Island is the hometown of clove fish. You can buy some dried clove fish here as souvenirs and eat fishing village dishes.On the other hand, Yuanbei Island is known as a small Dutch village. The windmills, red roofs and the view of nearby islands from the commanding heights are relaxing.

North Sea Gibe

Jibei Island is the largest island in the North Sea of ​​Penghu. It is most famous for its two-kilometer-long white shell beach, which also makes the water sports here very popular, such as banana boats, jet skis, parasailing and so on.From Penghu Main Island to Jibei Island, you can buy your own boat ticket and rent a locomotive on the island, or buy a package itinerary, and the store can help you arrange transportation and water activities.In addition to water activities, Jibei Island also has some cultural and natural landscapes to visit. If you want to feel the leisurely life of the outlying islands, it is recommended to consider staying in a B&B here for one night, watching the sunset on Xikan Mountain in the evening, and going to Jibei during the day Playing in the water at the end of the sand, relaxing and comfortable.

The above is TWOSEVENTHS The organized Penghu free travel guide covers all aspects of Penghu transportation, suitable travel opportunities, fireworks festivals, must-see attractions for tourists, recommended water activities in Penghu and advanced Penghu island hopping games.The beauty of Penghu is ever-changing, and every time you come, you can find new ways to play and visit new secret places.The natural natural landscape and rich underwater ecology need to be protected by everyone. Remember not to wear sunscreen before entering the water, but to use physical sunscreen to keep this lovely island full of vitality. Penghu is full of beautiful scenery that is not inferior to foreign countries. I hope everyone Everyone has a chance to visit.

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[penghu car rental recommendation] read this article to explore penghu by car rating of 4 penghu car rental companies, [lexia car rental review] it’s super convenient to pick up the car at the magongshuang base, and you can easily rent a car at the pier and airport to explore penghu, [penghu diving recommendation] experience fun dive must-see before taking the test, 4 penghu scuba diving shops evaluation.

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