Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
three small bays for swimming near Langtao, but they are not marked so you'll need to
ask for directions.
For snorkellers, Lanyu offers some of Taiwan's most unspoiled coral reefs. Two popu-
lar areas are Langtao and Dragon Head Rock. Most homestays can arrange half-day snor-
kelling for NT$400.
Tec Only
DIVING, SNORKELING
MAP
( 732 151;
www.lanyuscuba.com
;
17-2 Langtao Village)
Tec Only is one of the reputable,
PADI-certified diving centres on Lanyu, offering introductory 'leisure courses'.
Wildlife-Watching
Despite its relatively small size, Lanyu is home to a few endemic butterfly and bird spe-
cies. The diminutive
Lanyu scops owl
is relatively common in the more remote forests
and most homestays can arrange for a night visit where the odds of spotting a few are
high.
Bùdào)
is an excellent place to spot special birds of Lanyu such as
Japanese Paradise
Flycatcher
and
Whistling Pigeon
. The trailhead is at the Chung'ai bridge, 1km south of
Hungtou Village, and it will lead you down into the gully that continues up to the river
bed.
The gorgeous
Magellan's iridescent birdwing butterfly
has one of the widest wing-
spans in the world: up to 20cm across for males. Just riding around the main roads in
April and May or October and November you may spot one or two, but for a tour of
prime areas contact Mr Si, a well-known local carver, at his
Si Kang Chai Art Studio
(Xī
Gāng Cài Mùdīao Gōngzùoshì;
0989-729 966; 38 Tungching Village)
.
Rock Formations
Visiting Lanyu is an otherworldly experience indeed and one of the features that gives
Lanyu a vaguely Lovecraftian vibe is the twisted, jagged volcanic rocks jutting dramatic-
ally out of the ground and out to the sea. Taiwanese tourists like to pose before forma-
MAP
, likely because the elliptical rock is hollow. Come see for yourself. In any event,
the rocks' monikers have been assigned by the Taiwanese and not the Tao themselves
(who generally find the names silly).
