Penghu Islands: Exploring Taiwan’s Hidden Archipelago Gem

Introduction

Penghu island off Taiwan’s west coast, also referred to as the Pescadores, and is an archipelago of 90 islands and skerries in the Taiwan Strait. This island group has a land area of approximately 140 square kilometers and it has a population of approximately 100 thousand. Tainan, just south of Kaohsiung, is famous for its picturesque saltscapes or basalt landscapes which are now coupled with beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and laid-back island feel, making Penghu an increasingly popular domestic and international tourist attraction in recent years. 

In this blog post, read a complete travel guide to Penghu Island: How to get there, must visit places, where to stay and lots of useful tips for an amazing island vacation. If you are interested in visiting beautiful sea shores, exploring cultures, enjoy seafood and non-seafood delicious foods, and even tours in relaxing beaches, Penghu offers all of that and more. You’ll find the information you need below to plan the best Pescadores vacation!

Getting There

Taiwan is the only way to get to Penghu Island by both by plane and by ferry. These include flights to Penghu Airport daily on Uni air, Mandarin Airlines and Far Eastern Air from Kaohsiung, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, and Taipei applying 45 minutes as a flight duration. 

There’s also a ferry towards Kaohsiung taking 4 – 5 hours for instance, depending on what kind of ship you’re riding and weather conditions. It is also beneficial because it is cheaper and also the island hopping through the ferry can be breathtakingly beautiful. Only some advice to follow, ferry services could be restricted or ceased during the period of typhoon from July-September.

Top Penghu Attractions

Normally characterized by clear water, peculiar rock formations, ancient sites, delicious seafood, and a very slow island tempo, Penghu has enough tourist attractions to cover several days. Here are the top things you absolutely must see and do when visiting Penghu:

1. Swim or Snorkel to Basalt Beaches 

Known for its fascinating sculpted hexagonal basalt columns measuring up to thirty feet tall and extending for miles at the organizing shores, Penghu has been shaped to a greater extent by the sea and waves. To soak and explore Penghu’s geology in its best sun-kissed island, the North Seas are recommended, such as Little Taiwan Two Moon Bay, Shanshui Beach, Hsiri Pawan Beach, Cimei Beach. Here you can have lulls in crystal blue water, go snorkeling over coral and fishes, or sit on pristine black and white shores. 

2. Divetech’s Mini Galapagos of Taiwan

Off shore from the main Penghu island there is a fascinating chain of islands known as the South Seas with more than 20 barren islands with numerous fauna. It is referred to as Taiwan’s Galapagos since the area consists of a large number of sea creatures and plants that can only be found in this area. We offer day boat excursions in order for people to explore such features as volcanic islets, dolphins, sea turtles and seabirds while island hopping. In addition, the water is also transparent, and is perfect for scuba diving as well as snorkeling.

3. Sample Succulent Penghu Seafood 

Penghu is seafood heaven! Treat yourself to the seafood that is so fresh – lobster, crab, oysters, clams, shrimp, fish, and so much more all cooked to perfection in dishes such as Penghu Fish Noodles,Seven Star Rock Lobster Feast, and Oyster Omelets. You should also order their more traditional dishes such as The Three Cup Squid, Stewed Vermicelli with Oysters, Stir Fried Pork with Garlic Stems. Of all the places included in this study, Magong City has the highest number of seafood restaurants and among these, Shanshui and Hujing neighborhoods.

4. Embark on Ocean Adventures

In fact, water sports in Penghu are limitless due to the clear water surrounding the island. Among the activities, visitors can sail, kayak, surf, jet ski, banana boat, ride in a glass bottom boat and explore the seas of the North. You can also hire fishing boats, take an eco-tour for the purpose of seeing whales or dolphins and take an evening cruise around the islands. Those who are born as water babies will have lots of joy as they splash around in Penghu’s water world! 

5. Appreciate the ‘geology’ of Penghu 

However, there is much more to the Penghu than its picturesque and postcard-perfect columnar basalt shores and beautiful volcanic rock formations on the island have eroded by time. Among attractions, the geologically significant sites are the strictly vertical Rainbow Cliffs of yellow, red and pink layers, Elephant Rock resembling the giant animal figure, Funny Rocks molded by wind and waves forces, and the Broken Bridge. These cool formations can be visited by a ride in Penghu Geopark Eco-Bus or taking Jeep safaris accompanied by a guide.

6. This page will also provide some information about Penghu History and Culture.

Still, despite the fact that modern Penghu are a number of tropical paradise islands, those islands have rather tragic history being important seaport islands occupied by Dutch in the 17th century and Japanese during World War II. The Pen-Hu cultural and historic landmarks are Zhenfeng Street old buildings; the RainBow Arch Bridge; Xiyu Eastern Fort; Wangan Old Western Fort; Little Taiwan Old Battlefield; Whale Cave Battleground; and the Penghu Living Museum. These places make you grasp the taste of Penghu people’s toughness, unique attractions, and fusion food.  

7. Join in Penghu Festivals

Penghu County organizes and hosts more than 150 dynamic annual activities including religious processions, dance performances, contests, and folk art performances. People are invited to join and enjoy the real Taiwanese feast activities. Penghu’s most popular festivals include the Ocean Fireworks Festival with amazing July 4th technique fireworks, Mid-Autumn Moon festival with lots of sparkling lanterns, the Dragon Boat festival and common in all islands are the lantern festival.

Top Places to Stay in Penghu

Penghu is as beautiful as its seascape that’s visible outside your window with the blue green waters calling out to island lovers. Here are top lodging recommendations for an amazing island vacation:

• Mudan Hotel: This luxurious hotel incorporated both traditional Penghu and contemporary style in its functional 5-star design which includes rooms with basalt wall, floor to ceiling window, and magnificent view of the sea from the balcony. Some luxuries that guests get to enjoy include: outdoor swimming pools which are even extended to hug infinity, quality foods from restaurants and bars, and spas among other professionals, and there is any number of things to do at the resort such as sailing, beach volleyball among others and at night, visitors are free to go stargazing. 
•  Whale Eco-Cultural Village: Stay in a Minnan-style house in Penghu’s only cultural village adjacent to the MPI Whale Conservation Center. It is possible to watch conservation first hand, taste organic food of Penghu, and engage in various interesting and cultural activities.  
• North Sea B&B: If you want to spend a weekend here is a B&B, which has only 5 rooms with boutique design and view on Shanshui Beach, the stone weir in the shape of two hearts and the sea. The two complimentary breakfasts are filling, and the owners’ valuable travel tips make for a plus.
• Ocean View Homestay: Simple and nicely furnished rooms and bungalows in this hillside homestay of a fisherman family are faced with private balconies and ocean views. The owners will be hosting and serving guests formal, comfortable, family-style dinners of new caught seafood and local products every evening. 
•  Camping: Penghu’s campgrounds provide reasonable housing including RVs and tents for an affordable outdoor trip, with many of most campgrounds allowing their guests to use their facilities. Again, you can try Longmen Campground, Tongliang Ocean View Campground, and Making Black Dwarf Pine Forest Campground if you would like to have your accommodation as camping by the sea. As far as I am concerned you simply bring your own camping equipment.

Check Out: A Culinary Adventure at Time Out Market Barcelona: Your Ultimate Guide.

Best Times to Visit Penghu 

Being an island, Penghu has a nice climate throughout the year but visiting during off peak year from March-June and from September-December gives you a nice climate without many people. Summer is perfect for sunbathing but as hot and humid as you’d imagine, and very busy with Chinese tourists during July/August. Penghu also experiences its typhoon seasons in summer that means one may be forced to cancel his/her trip in that season. Large celebrations such as the Lantern Festival in February/March or the Mid-Autumn Festival in September are the to the point times to learn more about the culture of Penghu too.

Travel Tips for Penghu

To make the most of your Penghu island adventure, keep these travel tips in mind:

• Any visitors who want to explore the main islands independently should rent a scooter for easy self-guided island hopping between two best attractions. Licenses for internationals are acknowledged.
• Some of the islets of South Seas are comparatively small so it is safer to visit them only with the help of guided boat tours.
• The laws of respective regions recommend helmets for scooters and belts for cars and buses.  
• Accompany durable items such as caps, sunglasses, and sun block for the numerous outdoor events that will be experienced.
• Make sure to check the lodging WiFi signal if you’ll require an internet connection for work during the trip.
• Credit cards aren’t accepted everywhere, so it will be wise to have some money on you.  
• Before the trip look for ferry/flight timings and repeat the process a few days to the scheduled travel time in case there were changes.
• Help in interacting with locals by picking up on a few words in Mandarin because mostly the English language is not commonly used.
• Snacking around the island should be done with local specialties such as the Tung flower biscuits, the brown sugar cake or peanut ice cream.
• Whether on scooters traversing the island, on boat visiting islands or on a plate with delicious seafood, Penghu is an amazing Taiwanese island which has a lot to explore both natural and culture wise every corner of the island is waiting to be discovered! So, with this guide in your hands, start your trip to Penghu and let these islands do their job. Just be careful…you might never want to leave this tropical island paradise as soon as you try the Penghu local lifestyle!

Conclusion

If this blog has left you all starry-eyed for Penghu Island, hopefully those tips with it reminded you that these elegant islands are easy, safe, and delightful to visit as a youth, adult or family. First and foremost, Tainan boasts thrilling and beautiful volcanic formations submerged underwater, colorful fish guiding visitors through amazing reef bottoms, fresh and tasty seafood available at relatively low prices, a rich historical and cultural past, and, of course, truly hospitable people of Taiwan. 

It is home to dreamy rock swimming pools, the best oysters afloat, open-sea ecological view tours, and sand bank naps; yet Penghu has it all to pamper and entertain a fantastic island-hopping holiday just 60 minutes away from Taiwan’s big cities. And you know you are coming back home with a little more of wonders, happiness and satisfaction with the beauty and simplicities of life after having spent quite some time in Penghu’s natural island gets-away. But just do not be astonished if these magical islands indeed steal your heart!!

For more info : Click Here.

FAQ