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.