Guishan Island Introduction
Whether traveling by land or sea, seeing Guishan Island signifies arrival in Yilan. Located approximately ten kilometers east of the coast of Toucheng Township in Yilan County, Guishan Island is the largest and only inhabited island in Yilan County and is currently the only active volcano in Taiwan. Named for its resemblance to a floating turtle, Guishan Island was designated as part of the Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area by the Executive Yuan in 1999, after years of active efforts by the Yilan County Government and local representatives following the lifting of martial law in 1988. With its cultural and ecological resources in mind, Guishan Island has been planned as a marine ecological park that combines intellectual engagement and emotional connection, with controlled visitor capacity to reduce environmental conflicts, and in conjunction with nearby whale-watching activities, it has become a popular tourist destination along the northern blue highway. Guishan Island contains an underwater world where, under the hot sulfur and highly acidic conditions, thousands of crabs manage to survive, creating a rare phenomenon. The island's famous scenic spot, Turtle Lake, also known as Guwei Pond, was originally a freshwater lake, but residents later diverted seawater into the lake, intending to create a fishing port. However, every time they built dikes, they were washed away by typhoons, leaving the lake with a mix of salt and fresh water. On the opposite shore of the lake stands a calm statue of Guanyin, guarding Guwei Pond and its residents. From the military camp on the island, one can gaze upon steep, lush mountains with distinct ridgelines that resemble a beautiful woman gazing skyward, allowing clear visibility of her form, showcasing the wonders of nature. The island's end features a long pebble beach that shifts north and south with the prevailing winds and tides, commonly referred to as the "Turtle's Tail Wagging."
