This past summer, we found the ultimate island escape in Taiwan at Penghu archipelago, the county formed by ninety little islands in Taiwan Straits. With the white sandy beaches among the black basalt rocks, the region provides a Greek island vibe. Penghu Islands is also the first stop before reaching Taiwan for immigrants leaving from China back in the days. Therefore, there is a rich history of piracy and colonization. You can spot some of the oldest temples and traditional Hokkien homes and culture, along with the rich natural landscape.
Our island hopping starts from the Mu-Dou Islet, located at the northern tip of Penghu. Before the lighthouse was built, many shipwrecks occurred in the area due to the collision with the submerged reefs. The black and white lighthouse is the highest in Taiwan and far East region. We are so lucky to enjoy the exclusive island all to ourselves, and it feels simply magical.
I have always loved the beach, with the salty water and wind in my face, the crew and I arrive at the impressive Jibei Sand Tail, where we enjoy the much-needed vitamin sea. Then we hop on the clear kayak to explore pristine Peng Peng Beach, which just surfaced from the ocean and officially made it to the map in recent years. It feels like you suddenly arrive in Maldives.
Coming to Magong City, we check in to the luxurious Laguna Villa with a stylish arrival. The seafront villa provides excellent privacy, comfort, and style, from pool, jacuzzi to million-dollar-view balcony. It is indeed the finest of island living in Penghu.
From modern to traditional, we hop on a time machine and head to the past. We scroll through the charming alleys in the historical Erkan Village, enjoying local seafood and the mesona tea shaved ice. We discover a large family mansion, The Erkan residence, owned by the Chen clan. It features relief carvings, windows, doors, and eaves in the classic southern Fujian style with many wings. The exquisite craftsmanship, rustic yet refined simplicity highlights the skills of its builders. Before hopping on the boat again, we pay a visit to Tianhou Temple, the oldest Mazu (Chinese Sea Goddess) temple in Taiwan, praying for safety and well being for each of us.
Our Black Mamba speedboat takes us to numerous uninhabited islands in the East Sea region. These islands are shaped by typical basalt mesa land form with a shoreline bounded by cliffs made up of neatly stacked basalt columns. We send hello and farewell to millions of greater crested terns that are making a stop here before migrating to the south for the winter.
Penghu is likely to have the greatest concentration and number of stone weirs in the world. The iconic heart-shaped stone weir is made and formed by piled rock walls in an intertidal zone. At high tide, the fish swim into the weir and are trapped when the water ebbs again at low tide. It is a brilliant way of fishing.
After the sea, we come back to land to explore the retro-futuristic architecture around the island. Before heading to the airport, we cross the Penghu Great Bridge, the first sea-crossing bridge in the far eastern, during the golden hour. By viewing the extraordinary oceanic vistas, listening to the roaring tides, and feeling the bracing sea breezes, we can not think of a better way to wrap up this incredible island living journey.
緊接在蘭嶼後，我們在台灣的跳島系列來到澎湖。澎湖群島由九十座小島組成，黑色的玄武岩地形夾雜細白色的沙灘，讓人有種希臘島嶼的氛圍。澎湖群島過去為大陸沿海居民移居台灣的第一站，也因此存在著豐富的航海故事，民俗傳統和殖民歷史。在澎湖群島，你可以發現一些在台灣最古老的廟宇，傳統福建建築與文化，以及豐富的自然景觀。
我們從澎湖北端的目斗嶼開始。在建造這座目斗嶼燈塔前，這裡的海域由於暗礁與海象惡劣，曾發生了許多船難。而這座黑白相間的建築，也是台灣和東亞地區最高的燈塔。我們很幸運能有機會在這個天堂般的小島上，體驗與世無爭的感覺。
我一直很熱愛海邊，跟隨著海風，我們來到令人印象深刻的吉貝沙尾，享受壯闊的碧海藍天。接著我們跳上透明的獨木舟，探索最近幾年剛從海洋浮出水面的澎澎灘。這裡的美景就好像身處在馬爾地夫。接著我們在敞篷車的代步下抵達Laguna 那。故事水岸莊園。從無邊際泳池，到無敵海景陽台，這棟海濱別墅提供極高的隱私，舒適性和設計風格，讓我們這次在澎湖的住宿成為行程的亮點之一。
從現代到傳統，我們踏上時間機器回到了過去，在二崁聚落歷史悠久的古厝巷弄間，享受當地的海鮮美食和仙草刨冰。這裡著名的二崁陳家百年古厝，為三進平房大厝，以當地硓𥑮石與玄武岩為牆身，支撐屋頂結構，並以彩繪瓷磚、交趾陶、泥塑等為裝飾，展現了閩南傳統建築形式，也為民風淳樸的澎湖與二崁聚落增添傳統工藝之美。我們在下一個跳島行程前，特地參觀了台灣最古老的媽祖天后宮，順道為我們的行程祈福。
在黑曼巴快艇的帶領下我們暢遊了東海區域許多的無人島。這些島嶼為典型的玄武岩地形，海岸線的峭壁由整齊堆積的玄武岩柱組成，好不壯觀。我們也在這裡與數以百萬計的鳳頭燕鷗相遇，它們在這裡過境，準備飛往南方過冬。而海上的心型石滬也是澎湖的另一特色，石滬是在潮間帶區域堆砌弧形石牆，利用海水漲潮時會淹覆石牆頂部並且帶來魚群，退潮時海水流走而魚群便會困在石牆內的一種捕魚方式。澎湖的石滬極可能是全世界密度最高、數量最多的地方。
接著我們回到陸地上，探索散落在島嶼各地的復古未來主義建築。最後，我們在夕陽時刻穿越了遠東第一座的澎湖跨海大橋。在壯闊海景與徐徐海風的陪伴下，收拾好心情與行李，期待下一個跳島的夏天!
Place to Stay
Laguna 那。故事水岸莊園
Address: 880, Penghu County, Magong City, 井子垵 100 號
Phone: +886 6 995 2806
澎湖灣行旅 Penghu Bay Resort
Address: No. 1, Jieshou Road, Magong City, Penghu County, 880
Phone:＋886 6 926 0055
Place to Eat
清心飲食店 Ching Shih Seafood
Address: 88142, Penghu County, Xiyu Township, No. 77-2
Phone: +886 6 998 1128
癮餐廳 Addict Restaurant
Address: No. 47, Linsen Road, Magong City, Penghu County, 880
Phone: +886 6 926 1009
二崁老樹下剉冰 Old Tree Shaved Ice
Address: 881001, Penghu County, Xiyu Township, No.29
Phone: +886 934 080 321
Things to Do
Penghu 88 澎湖旅行
Island Hopping, Peng Peng Beach, Kayaking, Paddle Boarding
Penghu Firework Festival 澎湖國際海上花火節
(Usually takes place in early summer)
Places to See
We have selected and saved our picks for Penghu Archipelago. We recommend to visit the island county from May to end of September to avoid the windy seasons.
Check out our favorite spots on Penghu Archipelago:
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