Travel Suggestions : Offshore Islands
Taiwan's Offshore Islands
Are you looking for a place where the waters are clear and the
skies are blue, and countless stars stud the sky at night? Or
would you like to wander through remote and picturesque fishing
villages? Then pack your bags and visit the offshore islands
of Taiwan!
Taiwan is located along the southeast coast of the Asian continent,
on the fault line where the Euro-Asian and Philippine continental
plates meet. This unique geographic location and frequent seismic
activity, not only created an extremely diversified topography
and natural environment on Taiwan, but also resulted in the diverse
characters of its off-shore islands. Main off-shore islands consist
of Penghu, Green Island, Orchid Island, Kinmen, Mazu, Turtle
Island and Little Liuqiu as their locations, topographical characteristics,
and human activity differ, each has its own unique scenery and
culture. Therefore, each island offers something different, satisfying
the varying needs of visitors, whether these have a natural,
historical, or cultural nature, or simply consist of sightseeing,
snorkeling, or sport fishing.
Penghu
Penghu is Taiwan's largest offshore island and is situated in
between mainland China and Taiwan. It actually comprises 64 small
islands and has a combined coastline that stretches more than
300 kilometers. Each season has its own particular scenery, and
rich natural and cultural resources are found here. The landscape
here is characterized by basaltic rocks, coral reefs, marine
erosions, and beaches, while the fishing culture and migratory
birds add an extra dimension to the picture.
Green Island
Green Island is located some 33 kilometers off the coast of Taitung
in eastern Taiwan, and is a volcanic island where winds blow
and waters eat away at the rocks all year round, creating a
beautiful and diverse coast.
Orchid Island
Lanyu, or Orchid Island, is situated off the southeastern coast
of Taiwan and, like Green Island, its neighbor to the north,
was raised from the sea floor by the accumulation of volcanic
lava. It has a moist and rainy climate, and its mountain areas
(which occupy most of the island) are covered with dense rain
forests that are filled with a great variety of plant and animal
life. Coral reefs decorate the surrounding seas, and the Japan
Current which flows past brings in large numbers of fish. This
makes Orchid Island a paradise for fishermen and skin divers.
The island is inhabited mainly by Yami tribespeople, the most
primitive of Taiwan's aborigines, who still retain much of
their traditional culture and lifestyle. Their traditional
stone houses are build mostly underground to avoid extremes
of temperature as well as the ravages of typhoons, and their
Flying Fish and Boat Launching festivals are seen nowhere else
on earth. In addition to savoring the beautiful island scenery,
during a trip of Orchid Island you can also enjoy a glimpse
into the fascinating Yami culture.
Kinmen
Lying just 2,100 meters off the coast of mainland China at the
nearest point, this hilly island composed mostly of granite
and has a history that derives largely from war. It can, therefore,
be termed a "battlefield island," and it possesses
unique battlefield scenery. But Kinmen is more; it also contains
numerous taces of history, and the government has designated
21 historic sites within its small area. It also has large
numbers of houses built in the traditional southern Fujianese
three-sided courtyard style, giving it a rich atmosphere of
times past.
Matsu
Situated in the northeast corner of the Taiwan Straits and separated
from mainland China by only a narrow strip of water, Mazu,
like Kinmen to the south, is also made up largely of granite.
Its scenery consists of sea-eroded terrain, natural sand and
pebble beaches, sand dunes, precipitous cliffs, and other scenic
features. In addition to its beautiful jagged coastline and
the migratory birds that pass through and provide precious
ecological resources, Mazu also offers traditional eastern
Fujian villages built on mountainsides as well as defensive
fortifications built by the military.
Turtle Island
This small, solitary island located about 10 kilometers off the
coast of Toucheng in Yilan County has volcanic terrain that,
from certain angles, looks like a turtle floating in the sea.
Among the features of the island are high cliffs, steaming
fumaroles, welling underwater hot springs, mountain peaks,
sea-eroded caves, a lake, and unique cliff vegetation, as well
as rich marine ecological resources. It is a perfect place
to study volcanic terrain and the natural ecology.
Little Liuqiu
Lying in the sea about 14 kilometers to the southwest of Donggang
in Pingtung County, Little Liuqiu is the only one of Taiwan's
numerous offshore islands that is composed of coral. Three
special features make this island unique: the finest location
for viewing the sunset, the most species of coral, and a terrain
made up of coral. Strange coral rock formations stand throughout
the island, and its ocean scenery is entrancing. Since this
is a fishing island, its inhabitants are intensely religious;
there are a great many temples here, each with its own unique
features and special attractions.
If you are longing for a peaceful holiday spent on the island,
the above spots are your best choices. Let the clear transparent
sea water, blue skies, and the interesting abundant local folk
customs and cultures entertain your eyes and enrich your mind!
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