Taiwan Outlying Islands Guide / 台湾离岛景点推荐
Taiwan's outlying islands each have a completely different personality: Penghu's basalt coasts and stone fish weirs, Kinmen's battlefield tunnels and Minnan courtyard houses, and Matsu's glowing "blue tears" and granite stone villages. They take more effort to reach than the main island — and reward it many times over.
Penghu
- Twin Hearts Stone Weir (Shuangxin Shihu) – The famous heart-shaped traditional fish trap on Qimei Island, best photographed at low tide from above.
- Jibei Island – Known for its long sand spit (a "walking on the sea" sandbar at low tide) and clear shallow water for snorkeling and water sports.
- Penghu Great Bridge (Kuahai Bridge) – The 2.5 km bridge linking Baisha and Xiyu islands, with the rainbow-bridge arch at its Xiyu end.
- Erdai Village (Erkan) – Perfectly preserved coral-stone Minnan settlement on Xiyu, now a living museum of old houses, cafes, and almond tea.
- Tongpan & Bucket-shaped basalt columns – Columnar basalt cliffs at Tongpanyu and the Daguoye formation, textbook volcanic geology.
- Aimen Beach – Penghu's most popular sandy beach on Huxi, with gentle waves and full facilities for families.
Kinmen
- Zhaishan Tunnel – The awe-inspiring A-shaped granite water tunnel (357 m) dug by hand for wartime landing craft; at high tide the water mirrors the arches.
- Shuitou Ancient Houses – Cluster of ornate Minnan courtyard houses and Western-style洋楼 built by returned overseas Chinese, including the Deyue Tower.
- Juguang Tower – Kinmen's landmark tower honoring the 1949 Guningtou battle, with panoramic views and a small military museum.
- Shanhou Folk Culture Village – Eighteen traditional courtyard houses in a complete Fujian-style settlement, now with craft shops and folk performances.
- Mashan Observation Post – The closest point to mainland China (about 2 km), with telescopes, loudspeaker walls, and Cold War history.
- Mofan Street (Mofan Jie) – Jincheng's historic baroque arcade street of shops selling Kinmen kaoliang liquor, peanut candy, and beef jerky.
Matsu
- Blue Tears – The famous bioluminescent "blue tears" caused by nocturnal dinoflagellates; best seen April–June on moonless nights at Beihai Tunnel, Qinbi Beach, or Fuzheng Beach.
- Qinbi Village (Beigan) – The "Mediterranean of Matsu": granite Minnan stone houses cascading down the hillside, now cafes and guesthouses.
- Beihai Tunnel (Nangan) – Hand-dug granite water tunnel over 700 m long; by day a boat ride through the cavern, by night a prime blue-tears spot.
- Matsu Giant Statue & Tianhou Temple – The 29.6-meter Mazu statue on Nangan's hillside, visible from the sea, next to the historic Tianhou Temple.
- Dongyin Lighthouse (Dongyong Lighthouse) – The white lighthouse on the cliff edge of Dongyin, one of Taiwan's most dramatic coastal landmarks.
- Baba Pit Tunnel (88 Tunnel) – The former military storage tunnel now aging Matsu kaoliang and aged wine in oak-like rows of jars, filled with wine aroma.
Practical Tips
Best season: April–June for Matsu's blue tears (avoid full-moon nights and light pollution). Penghu is best April–October for water activities; winter brings strong northeast monsoon winds. Kinmen is pleasant year-round, with sorghum harvest season in autumn. Transport: Flights from Taipei Songshan reach Penghu (Magong), Kinmen, and Matsu (Nangan/Beigan) in about 1 hour. Ferries run from Chiayi to Penghu and from Keelung to Matsu (overnight, 8–10 hours). Kinmen connects to Xiamen by the "mini three links" ferry (30 min). Scooter rental is the standard way to explore all three island groups.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How many days do I need for each island group?
A: Penghu deserves 3 days (main islands plus Qimei/Jibei day trips). Kinmen needs 2 full days. Matsu needs at least 3 days to cover Nangan, Beigan, and Dongyin/Dongju — plus buffer days since flights and ferries are weather-dependent.
Q: Can I really see the blue tears, or is it luck?
A: It's seasonal and weather-dependent, not guaranteed. April–June gives the best odds; go on moonless nights, avoid light pollution, and take a guided night tour — Beihai Tunnel's oar-boat ride has the most reliable sightings.
Sources
- Tourism Administration, R.O.C. (Taiwan): https://eng.taiwan.net.tw/
- Penghu National Scenic Area: https://www.penghu-nsa.gov.tw/en
- Matsu National Scenic Area: https://www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw/en