Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Yúwēngdǎo Dēngtǎ)
In the 19th century, British lighthouse keepers stayed here on
10-year shifts. Look for the stone cross marking the grave of Nellie O'Driscol, the
daughter of one of the keepers.
Tungliang Banyan Tree
TAOIST TEMPLE
(Tōngliáng Gǔróng)
The astonishing 300-year-old Tungliang Banyan Tree wraps and creeps
and twists round a cement frame that stabilises the tree like the lattice arch of a bower.
The spread of branches and aerial roots cover 600 sq metres, enough to give shade to you
and the endless tour bus loads of visitors.
It's said that during the Qing dynasty a ship sunk off the coast of Penghu and a small
seedling floated to shore and was planted by locals. A temple complex was built later,
and the tree and hall of worship are now inseparable.
A little snack shop by the temple sells cactus-fruit sorbet, something you won't find
anywhere else in Taiwan. Well worth trying.
Da-yi Temple
TAOIST TEMPLE
(Dàyì Gōng)
On Hsiyu Island, the 200-year-old Da-yi Temple is dedicated to Guandi, the
god of war and the patron of warriors. Some say that when the French tried to attack
Penghu, mysterious forces kept them away from the temple.
The temple is a massive structure with 4m bronze guardians of Guandi,
Guānpíng
and
Zhōucāng
, flanking the stairs. The interior features several large and detailed ceilings,
some good dragons in
jiǎnniàn
(mosaic-like temple decoration) and, brace yourself, an
underground coral cavern
with a collection of giant (living) sea turtles. The legality of
this is a grey area, but we'd be remiss not letting you know about it.
The temple is off route 203, down a side road towards the sea. There is an English sign
for it after you cross the Trans-Ocean Bridge.
Activities
Beaches
The archipelago has several hundred kilometres of shoreline with more than 100
beaches. The following are among the best found on Penghu and, indeed, anywhere in
Taiwan.
Shanshui Beach
BEACH
