The Complete Guide to the Penghu Islands (Outer Islands) 澎湖外島

A Comprehensive Look At The Main Islands in the Penghu Island Group

Penghu is an island group in the southwest of Taiwan.

Its crystal clear waters and white sands have been little known for the past few years…

It’s been getting more and more popular in the past decade thanks to investment from the government’s tourism board. And it’s one of those that will look completely different in another decade.

Already there are massive changes in infrastructure on the island and everywhere you look there are new build houses, BnBs, and some apartments being built. 

It’s a bit of a shame – but we get it. Not everything can stay untouched forever, and tourism will surely bring the people of Penghu more business and brighten their economy. 

Penghu has done a great job of preserving the rich culture and history that make this island so unique, and this seems not to have changed despite the influx in tourists. 

Nevertheless, sometimes you want to get a bit more remote. Discover a bit more. Go a bit deeper into history and culture. And to go a bit further afield…

We get you. 

And Penghu is perfect for that extra bit of exploration. 

Penghu county is actually made up of a massive 90 islands. Since Taiwan only has 166 islands, Penghu’s 90 certainly make up a fair bit of Taiwan’s outer islands. 

Not all 90 can be explored, however. But visiting Penghu’s outer islands gives an experience like no other.

You can delve into the rich history and culture of the island, as well as enjoy pristine (so far untouched) white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. 

DID YOU KNOW || There is a theory that it was travellers from Taiwan many, many years ago that first migrated from Taiwan to go to the pacific islands and set up camp there. It is said that these travellers from Taiwan went to those Polynesian islands such as Tonga deep in the south pacific.

Can you imagine travelling such distances using the little equipment they had all those hundreds / thousands of years ago? 

Whilst we won’t visit all of Penghu’s 90 islands today, but we try to cover the main ones. 

Penghu Islands | How to Visit

Penghu Islands | Qimei 七美

Penghu Islands | Jibei吉貝嶼

Penghu Islands | Wang’an  望安嶼

Penghu Islands | Hujing 虎井嶼

Penghu Islands | Tongpan 通盤嶼

Penghu Islands | FAQs

How to Visit || Navigating Boats & Tickets

You can visit these islands individually, mainly from the main port in Magong, but also from Baisha island (the island connected to Magong main island).

The ferries run all throughout the day at various times, so make sure to plan ahead. 

In order to book any of these tickets, you will need to plan first.

Have a look online if you’re not in Penghu already, but there is limited availability in English. 

Harbour Visitor Center / South Sea Tourist Centre (南海遊客中心)

The best thing you can do to visit the Penghu islands is to go to the harbour yourself and ask about times and prices.

TOP TIP || They often change with the day of the week and the time of the season (winter vs summer) so online information may not be up to date.

If you go to the harbour the day beforehand, you can also inquire as to the weather and if it’s suitable or not. 

There is an information desk at the harbour “Visitor Information Center”.

To be honest, they’re not there half of the time but you can just ask anyone at the counters and they’d be happy to help you.

I’m not sure of their language ability since I spoke Chinese to them – so get Google Translate at the ready. 

Or better still, get your Chinese at the ready! 

At the Visitor Information Center, they can also advise you on whether it is wise to travel or not. Remember, most of the local ships are actually just passenger boats transporting items to and from outer islands as well as transporting residents.

They’re not necessarily *for* tourists – although, of course, tourists can use these services. This means that sometimes the boat may go, even though it’s not suitable for you to go there for tourism purposes, e.g. the wind is too strong. 

It’s wise to listen to this advice since you might get there and not be able to enjoy it at all.

Or worse still… you might get there and not be able to get back..! 

At the visitors centre, there is also a departures and arrivals board that shows the big companies operating, where they’re going, and their time of departure and return.

It also shows the “gate” (i.e. boat port) they’re departing from. And it’s all in English and Chinese, hurrah!

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Private Tour Companies

If you have more cash and less time, you might want to consider booking a tour boat.

These run generally daily and can be very popular during the summer months, so you might want to book ahead. 

These are boats that can take you to two, three, or four outer islands on a one-day trip.

They usually include the main ones such as Qimei and Wang’an, Tongpan and Hujing.

TOP TIP || Watch out, some of them will just circle some of these islands without getting off – so you want to make sure it stops at these islands and you actually have some time to explore.

Of course, various companies offer various combinations. Have a look and see what you can figure out online before you go from the company websites, then head down to the harbour to confirm. 

If you’re at a decent hostel or hotel, they should be able to help you organise this too. 

But before all of this, something much harder… 

Now you have to decide which islands to visit! 

Not all islands in Penghu can be visited. And certainly, not all of them are inhabited.

Some of them offer overnight accommodation, and some of them are only good for day trips. Some depend on the season. So it’s vital to plan everything in advance! 

… and then be prepared to have your plans squashed because the wind is too strong. 

Let’s take a look at Penghu’s outer islands! 

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Qimei Island (七美)

How to Visit Qimei Island

To get to Qimei from the main island you take a boat from the South Sea Tourist Centre (南海遊客中心)。 

You can stay overnight for a night or two on Qimei Island.

What to do on Qimei Island?

–Double heart stone weir (雙心石滬).

The iconic ‘Qimei’ scene and iconic image of Penghu itself.

This is a traditional fishing trap made in the shape of two hearts. It offers some pretty beautiful pictures on a sunny day with its cute heart shape and turquoise waters. 

-Seven Beauties 

Here, there is also an old freshwater well.

It is now a sacred shrine dedicated to the ‘Seven Beauties’. Seven beauties? Qi Mei? Sounds familiar, you say?

Well, yup. That’s correct. It’s this well that gives the island its name! 

-Little Taiwan (小台灣) (Donghu Village)

This is a small platform formed by erosion that’s in the shape of Taiwan!

-Yueli Bay

Great for snorkelling! 

Ji-Bei Island (吉貝嶼)

How to Visit Ji Bei Island

Take a short boat ride from the North Sea Tourist Centre (北海遊客中心) which is located on Baisha Island (白沙).

What to do on Ji-Bei Island

-Watersports

Ji-bei island is one of the most famous places for water sports.

You can do everything here from enjoying banana boats to water slides and of course snorkelling and swimming! 

You can stay overnight here in a wooden cabin. 

-80 Stone Weirs

A very popular spot in Penghu.

-Wusheng Temple

Because why not?!

-Sand Beach Beak

At the southern end of the island, this is a 1.5k stretch of white sandy beach stretching out to the ocean. 

Wang’an Island (望安嶼)

How to Visit Wang’an Island

Buy your tickets and take a boat from nearby the South Sea Tourist Centre.

Take the Magong-Wang’an ferry for 50 minutes and you’ll arrive at the island Wang’an.

Simple!

What to do on Wang’an Island

This island is nicknamed ‘honeymoon island’ for its stereotypical romantic aspects such as white sandy beaches and clear bright blue waters. 

It is Penghu’s fourth largest island. 

– Old Courtyard House

Believed to be potentially the oldest ruins in Taiwan, this village boats several traditional freshwater wells, temples and old houses.

It’s an old fishing village with great architecture as the houses are almost entirely built from coral and stone in the Qing Dynasty.

This cluster of residences is now a tourist attraction and largely uninhabited.

-Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Center.

This is located on one of Wang’an’s protected beaches where the sea turtles come to lay their eggs. 

-Yuanyang Caves

Various caves previously used by the Japanese in WWII. 

-Tiantai Hill 

Offering great views over Wang’an island!

The 15-minute walk to the top is worth it, with great views over the island and various other outer islands.

Tongpan Island 桶盤嶼

How to Visit Tongpan Island

20 minutes from Magong/Penghu main island.

Boats run two or three times per day. Every day is different and times vary depending on the day of the week and season. 

You pay on-board the boat. Not at the harbour. No booking in advance.

What to do on Tongpan

Nicknamed the ‘Yellowstone Park of Penghu’, this island is made up of lots of the basalt column structures you’ll see all around Penghu – but these are some of the most impressive, encircling much of the island.

Here you can visit Fuhai temple, or go for a spot of snorkelling!

The island is small so it’s more about experiencing the beauty of the island than visiting specific tourist spots. 

-Basalt Columns

Admire the impressive basalt columns when approaching. 

-Large coral forests

Always a lovely visit

-“Cat Rock”

A basalt formation in the shape of a beehive. 

-Stepped basin

Formed on a sea-eroded platform called “Lotus terrace”.

Hujing Island 虎井嶼

How to Visit Hujing Island

Take a 25-minute ferry from the main harbour. You pass by Tongpan on the way.

They run generally twice a day and return twice a day. Make sure to plan the night before to make sure of the times as they change with weekdays and seasons. 

You pay on-board the boat. Not at the harbour. No booking in advance.

What to do on Hujing Island

Hujing is an island or islet.

Indeed, its name in Chinese is not 島 meaning island but rather 虎井嶼, lit. Tiger Well island.

Therefore, you can hear it be referred to as Huijingyu, Hujing Islet, or Hujing Island. 

Here, you can spend your time exploring the landscape that is largely pretty barren.

There are lots of goats, few people, and few houses. There is also a military base, of course, so don’t accidentally walk in like I almost did. Again. 

There is little documenting what there is to see and do on Hujing but when you visit there are many signposts – for the few things you can do. 

TOP TIP || Rent a scooter here for 150 NTD for a couple of hours. It’s the only way you can get around – and there is only one place renting them. And only 5 scooters. So be quick..! 

There are no electric scooters so technically if you don’t have a license I don’t think it’s completely legal for you to drive. But no one asks. And you have no other choice.

There is no real way to visit much by walking (it would take way too long and there are no paths).

So… 

TOP TIP || Follow the signs and spend some time scooting along the one or two roads they have there. You can’t get lost. Google maps won’t be much help so just ride around and stop when you see something interesting. 

The main things are…

[ Turn right at the port ] 

-Old Japanese war observatory

Pretty cool to walk around this underground cave bunker! 

-Statue park area and viewpoint

-Hujing statues

[Turn left at the port] 

-Drive along the coast 

-Don’t accidentally go into the military base that may or may not be there. 

Hujingyu is an island surrounded with much traditional culture and history. It’s pretty large, the seventh largest, in fact.

It’s flat in the centre but high up on both the west and east edges, where basalt columns define the high edges. 

Hujing has an interest island history. The legend goes that there is an underwater “Sunken City” of Hujing.

DID YOU KNOW || There is a lot of historical literature on the existence of this ‘underwater city’, where there should be city walls. It’s said that the Dutch built this fortress which then sunk over 300 years ago during battle.

During low tide, you can see some aspects of these ‘walls’ through the clear water. 

However, some say that it may be due to the underwater columns joining together with Tongpan island close by… 

You can decide which you want to believe!

That’s our introductory guide to the Penghu Islands – have you been before? If so, tell us where in the comments.

If you are planning to go, feel free to ask any questions below also.

Penghu Islands || FAQs

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