Taiwan: Offshore Islands 2

Taiwan: Offshore Islands - Main offshore islands include Penghu, Ludao, Lanyu, Kinmen, Matzu (Matsu), Turtle Island and Xiao Liuqiu (Liuqiu).

 Kinmen


 Lying just 2,100 meters off the coast of 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 traces 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.

Matzu (Matsu)

Situated in the northeast corner of the Taiwan Straits and separated from China by only a narrow strip of water, Matzu (Matsu), 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, Matzu (Matsu) also offers traditional eastern Fujian villages built on mountainsides as well as defensive fortifications built by the military.

Matsu, patron saint of fishermen, is one of the most venerated deities in the Chinese pantheon, and her birthday is celebrated with elaborate rites in hundreds of Matsu temples around Taiwan. The largest celebration is at Peikang's Chaotien Temple on the island Matsu. The Taipei temple is located at the very northern edge of the city.



Guishan Island (Turtle Island)


 This small, solitary island located about 10 kilometers off the coast of Toucheng in Yilan County has a 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.

Xiaoliuqiu (Liuqiu)


 Lying in the sea about 14 kilometers to the southwest of Donggang in Pingtung County, Xiaoliuqiu (Liuqiu) is the only one of Taiwan's numerous offshore islands that is composed of corals. 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.

Taiwan: Offshore Islands

Taiwan: Offshore Islands
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 offshore islands include Penghu, Ludao, Lanyu, Kinmen, Matzu (Matsu), Turtle Island and Xiao Liuqiu (Liuqiu) as their locations, topographical characteristics, and human activities differ; each has its own unique scenery and culture. Therefore, each island offers something different, satisfying the various 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 between China and Taiwan. Located in the south-east of Taiwan Strait, Penghu has a combined coastline that stretches more than 320 kilometers and includes 90 small islands. 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.

Ludao

Ludao, also named 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.

Lanyu

Lanyu, or Orchid Island, is situated off the southeastern coast of Taiwan and, like Ludao, its neighbor to the north, was raised from the sea level 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 Lanyu a paradise for fishermen and skin divers. The island is inhabited mainly by Tau tribes' people, the most primitive of Taiwan's indigenous people, who still keep much of their traditional culture and lifestyle. Their traditional stone houses are building 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 Lanyu you can also enjoy a glimpse into the fascinating Tau culture.


To Be Continue......