Penghu Islands - 澎湖
This past weekend, I spent 3 days on the beautiful islands of Penghu. Located in the Taiwan Strait, this archipelago consisting of 64 islands is worth a visit! Highlights include: beautiful cliff side ridges that drop down into the multi-coloured waters of the Taiwan Strait; unbeatable & delicious seafood; and breathtaking scenic views. It took me roughly 6 hours to get back home from Penghu on Friday evening! I went via boat from Budai harbour which is in Chiayi County (next county south of Yunlin County where I am). During this past weekend, I must have gone on a total of 5 different boats! Definitely a highlight here is the yummy seafood! It's worth it just to go for that! Ha! Despite the scorching sun & dead heat (what's new in Taiwan?), the trip was still enjoyable!
Douliou City (start) -> By train to Sinying City (Tainan County) = just under an hour
Sinying City -> By bus to Budai harbour (Chiayi County) = just under an hour
Walk to Budai harbour for boat departure = 20 sizzling mins.
By boat from Budai harbour to Penghu (Makung City) Island = 1.5 hrs.
Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬
In front of the Tomorrow Star boat: Boarding
from Budai Harbour
Temple
Cheers!
Yummy seafood!
Em & Alicia
Colourful Guanyin Bridge, Makung City, Penghu Island
On the boat en route to Chipei Island
Unbelievably
HOT!
HOT!
HOT!
Chipei Island - biggest island on the northern
Penghu Archipelago
Taking a snooze: falling under the
spell of the robust sun & immense heat!
Sending my love: Writing Home
At the centre fountain in Makung City
We unexpectantly see the Taipei Mayor, Ma Ing-Jeou here who visits to help celebrate
the Penghu Seafood Festival
At our homestay
above left
Waiting @ the Visitor's centre
prior to departure to Chimei Island
Finally on board heading to Chimei Township - ???
We discover that there are some problems with our King Ba Da boat so our trip to Wan An Island is cancelled however we hitch a ride on another boat tagging along with a tour group. We're told by a couple of different people to wait so we do as we are told. Then, we're asked rather hurriedly to follow a man to board a boat. We quickly board the boat....then all of a sudden somone shouts out,
"YEE SOO-YA!
We quickly get off the boat & get onto a different one. Man, as long as these workers know what they're doing & we get to where we're supposed to, it's all cool because I have no idea how there communication & organization network works!?!
Taking in the beauty
Tomb of the 7 Virtuous Beauties
Overlooking sparkling waters
Waiting Husband Reef: See the rock shaped like a pregnant woman? Legend has it that a fisherman went missing at sea and was not able to return to his wife & unborn child. The woman was so overwhelmed with sadness, she jumped to her death. A reef supposedly grew at the place where she made that fateful plunge.
Cliffside rock shaped lionhead
Chimei Island - Located on the southern tip of the
Penghu Archipelago (approx. 1 hr. away from Makung City)
Two Hearts Stone Weir - 雙心石滬
The heart-shaped fishing trap is made of stacked stones.
Openings in the traps allow fish to enter during high tide
but during low tide the openings in the trap
are blocked
The heart-shaped fishing trap is made of stacked stones.
Openings in the traps allow fish to enter during high tide
but during low tide the openings in the trap
are blocked
En route to Husi Island
Underground bunkers
Exploring small Husi Island
Husi Island harbour
Eating shabu shabu: check out the pile of dishes!
With homestay family
posted by © 2013-2014 Sophia Yee. All Rights Reserved @ 8:09 PM
8 comments
8 Comments:
Hi Sophia. It was great to view your photos! I visited Penghu two years ago and I think I went on the same boat as you and visited the same places. It was a totally fascinating experience!
Did you go to the geological museum and later eat the dried seafood just down the hill in the local village?
My wife is Taiwanese and we flew to Magong. We went straight onto a boat...and within minutes everyone was asleep, yet we were bouncing over the top of the waves. That was exciting, but so many people snoring!
I loved Magong and I was genuinely sorry to leave. Now in Adelaide, Australia I just have photos, memories and your web site. Thanks.
Geoff
Hello Geoff,
Thanks for your posting. I visited Chimei which if I remember clearly, is one of the more southern of the more popular islands.
I don't think I visited the geological museum. The highlight was the watersports and checking the small island that had the fishing rock formation of the "hearts" etc. I went in June so the heat was tough to handle and that left a bit of a dent on the trip. I took the boat from Budai in Chiayi and took several smaller boats between the islands. I was better for me to sit/stand outside then smother in the excruciating heat on the inside. Nevertheless, Penghu was a great place to explore! I loved it & would go back anytime! Thanks again for visiting my blog.
-Sophia 8)
Hi Sophia,
Was net surfing for Penghu Island and accidently bump into your blog.Those photoes you posted are so beautiful. My husband and I intend to go to Penghu island this coming May. Can you recomend which homestay is nice and clean to stay ?
Cheers,
Julie
Hi Julie,
I do recommend the homestay that I was at in Penghu. It will be on Makung, the main island in Penghu. This coming May will be hot but not as hot as in July/August (ouch!)...haha...
The first # is the landline w/ the Penghu area code and the second is the lady owner who runs the place. We spoke Mandarin and I'm not sure if English will be an issue for communication. The woman picked and dropped us off and taxied us to various drop off areas to catch boats to go island hopping...
(06)9221176
0952078030
You'll love Penghu! Have fun!
Happy journeys,
-Sophia 8)
Great pictures Sophia. You have a real talent for capturing the essence of a lovely scene.
I look forward to reading more.
David
http://travelkaohsiung.com
I am planning to visit Penghu, mide september from Taipei. Any idea how will the temperature be? Do we get vegetarian food there and do ppl understand english there?
Nice post..... I am planning to visit Penghu mid september from taipei. whats the best way of going? Please advise if it will too hot there? do ppl understand English there? do we get vegeterian food? please let me know any other thing that i should take care of?
Hi Baaz,
Thanks for your message. It's been awhile since my trip to Penghu but here's my best effort to answer your question...
I went to Budai Harbour (from Chiayi City) and took the ferry to Penghu Islands - Makung being the centre & main island.
I was teaching English in Taiwan for a year and generally speaking, not many people speak English unless you're in the urban centres of Taipei, Taichung or Kaoshiung.
As for vegetarian food? Hmm. I know that you'll most likely have a variety of options although the islands are famed for its seafood.
Will it be cold in mid. September? I doubt it...probably high 20's..(celsius)...I went in July/August and it was insanely hot and humid!
Happy Travels!
-S.
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