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    Penghu Islands
    Tslai / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

    Taiwan

    Penghu Islands

    CityBeachNature

    The Penghu Islands, situated in the Taiwan Strait, are Taiwan's archipelago: around 90 islets boasting basaltic coasts, white beaches, and heart-shaped stone fish traps.

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    5. Taiwan
    7. South Taiwan
    9. Penghu Islands
    The Penghu Islands, situated in the Taiwan Strait, are Taiwan's archipelago: around 90 islets boasting basaltic coasts, white beaches, and heart-shaped stone fish traps. From Taipei, it's about an hour's flight to the main town of Magong; ferries serve Chiayi and Kaohsiung.The four main islands are linked by bridges, including the over 2.5-kilometer Penghu Bridge; the rest are reached by boat. The optimal time is April to June and September, as strong northeasterly winds blow in winter.
    Penghu consists of around 90 islands, its main town and arrival point is Magong. The four main islands—Magong (Huxi), Zhongtun, Baisha, and Xiyu—are bridged together and can be explored in a day. Northern islands like Jibei and southern ones like Qimei, featuring its famous stone weir, are reachable by boat. Allow at least two to three days, ideally from April to June or in September.

    More districts in Penghu Islands

    Qimei

    Qimei

    Qimei is one of the southern Penghu islands and accessible by boat from southern Magong. The island is famous for the Twin Hearts Stone Weir, two interlocking hearts made of stacked stones in the tidal flats. Buses operate on the island, and scooter rentals are available.

    Sights in Penghu Islands

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Penghu Bridge
    Attraction

    1Penghu Bridge

    The bridge between Baisha and Xiyu islands is about 2.5 km long and is Taiwan's longest bridge. It is part of the loop connecting the four main islands, with parking and viewpoints at its ends.
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    Tianhou Temple Magong
    Place of Worship

    2Tianhou Temple Magong

    The Temple of the Sea Goddess Mazu, located in the center of Magong, is considered Taiwan's oldest temple and is known for its wood carvings. Right next to it begins the picturesque Zhongyang Street, one of the town's oldest lanes.
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    Walfischhöhle (Whale Cave)
    Attraction

    3Walfischhöhle (Whale Cave)

    On Xiaomen Islet, just past the Penghu Bridge, waves have sculpted a rock arch resembling a whale with an eye. A short coastal path winds along the cliffs.
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    Twin Hearts Stone Weir (Qimei)
    Attraction

    4Twin Hearts Stone Weir (Qimei)

    Penghu's most famous stone fish trap is on Qimei Island: two interlocking hearts of stacked stones in the tidal flats, visible from the cliff above. You reach Qimei by boat from south Magong; on the island, buses run and scooter rentals are available.
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    Historic Village Erkan
    Attraction

    5Historic Village Erkan

    In Erkan Village on Xiyu Island, traditional homes with coral stone walls are preserved, including the Chen family estate. A good stop on the Bridge Islands tour, not far from Penghu Bridge.
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    Restaurants in Penghu Islands

    1

    Shang Qing Dan Bing (Breakfast)

    A breakfast spot for Taiwanese egg pancakes, with over 340 reviews on Google and a 4.9 rating. Great for an early start to your island day.
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    2

    澎湖小卷麵館 (Tintenfisch-Nudeln)

    This simple noodle restaurant in the south of Magong specializes in small squid dishes and has over 900 reviews on Google with a rating of 4.7. Enjoy a no-frills lunch featuring local seafood.
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    Food and Beverages

    On Penghu, a lot revolves around fish, seafood, and some sweet treats.

    Seafood and Oysters

    Fresh catch, oysters, and seafood grills are essential to a Penghu visit.

    Cactus Ice

    The pink prickly pear ice and shaved ice is the classic for hot days.

    Pumpkin Rice Noodles

    Fried rice noodles with pumpkin are a local specialty.

    Brown-Sugar-Cake

    The soft brown sugar cake is a popular souvenir.

    Fishing Islands with a Rich Past

    The islands were settled by Chinese fishermen long before Taiwan's west coast. In Magong stands the Tianhou Temple, considered Taiwan's oldest temple, next to which runs the old Zhongyang Street. In the village of Erkan on Xiyu, traditional coral-stone houses are preserved.Typical of Penghu are the stone fish weirs in the tidal flats; the most famous is the heart-shaped Twin Hearts Stone Weir on Qimei. In summer, the Penghu Fireworks Festival attracts many visitors, with shows in 2026 on selected evenings between April and August at 9 PM each.

    Nightlife

    1

    天嚐遞酒餐酒館 (Bistro-Bar)

    Bistro and bar in southern Magong, 4.9 rating on Google from over 430 reviews. The venue recommends booking ahead.
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    Getting here and about

    Flight: Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air fly from Taipei-Songshan to Magong in about an hour. Flights are also available from Taichung, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, and Tainan.Ferry: From Budai (near Chiayi) in about 1.5 hours; from Kaohsiung in about four hours. Winter services are limited, and crossings can be rough.On-site: Many rent scooters, usually requiring an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle endorsement. Rental cars and guided tours are available as alternatives.Islands: Boats to Jibei depart from Chikan Port; to Qimei from south of Magong.From October to March, winds can be strong enough to make scooter riding dangerous.

    Accommodations in Penghu Islands

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    Nearby

    Qimei

    Qimei

    Qimei is one of the southern Penghu islands and accessible by boat from southern Magong. The island is famous for the Twin Hearts Stone Weir, two interlocking hearts made of stacked stones in the tidal flats. Buses operate on the island, and scooter rentals are available.
    Tainan

    Tainan

    Tainan in the southwest is Taiwan's oldest city and was its political center for centuries. Those interested in history, temples, and traditional street food will find more here in a compact area than anywhere else on the island.The Dutch East India Company erected Fort Zeelandia in 1624 in today's Anping district; its remains are now known as Anping Fort. After Koxinga expelled the Dutch in 1662, the city served as the seat of his kingdom and later, under the Qing, as the capital of Taiwan Prefecture. The Confucian Temple, built in 1665, is considered the island's first Confucian academy, and the city boasts more Buddhist and Daoist temples than any other in Taiwan.
    Fenqihu

    Fenqihu

    Fenqihu is a mountain village on the Alishan Forest Railway on the way up from Chiayi. Trains make a longer stop here, and the place is known for its Bento lunchboxes. Buses 7329A and 7322A from Chiayi also pass through Fenqihu.
    Shizhuo

    Shizhuo

    The mountain village of Shizhuo is located on the road from Chiayi to Alishan and is home to Alishan high-mountain tea. Above the village, hiking trails lead through tea plantations and bamboo forests. All buses from Chiayi to Alishan stop here; the journey from Chiayi takes about an hour.
    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung

    Kaohsiung is a major port city in southern Taiwan and the terminus of the high-speed rail from Taipei. The city boasts a revamped harbor district filled with art, colorful pagodas on Lotus Lake, and a short ferry ride to Cijin Island, home to beaches and seafood restaurants.Near Zuoying Station on Lotus Lake stand the Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, which, according to tradition, you enter through the Dragon's mouth and exit through the Tiger's. In the former warehouse district by the harbor, the Pier-2 Art Center has established itself with galleries, installations, and cafes. Formosa Boulevard Metro Station is renowned for its glass dome, the Dome of Light, and the Liuhe Night Market is located nearby.