Guishan Island Introduction
No matter whether you travel by land or sea, as long as you see Guishan Island, you know you've arrived in Yilan. Located about ten kilometers east of Toucheng Township in Yilan County, Guishan Island is the largest of the county's islands and the only one that is inhabited. It is also one of the remaining active volcanoes in Taiwan. Guishan Island is named for its shape, which resembles a floating turtle. After martial law was lifted in 1988, Guishan Island was incorporated into the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area by the Executive Yuan, following years of active efforts by the Yilan County Government and local representatives. In line with the cultural and ecological resources of Guishan Island, it has been planned as a marine ecological park that combines intellectual and emotional experiences, aiming to reduce tourism environmental conflicts by controlling visitor capacity and integrating nearby whale watching activities, making it a popular destination on the northern Blue Highway. Guishan Island has an underwater world where thousands of crabs thrive in the steaming sulfur and highly acidic environment, which is a rare phenomenon. Notable scenic spots on Guishan Island include Guihu Lake, also known as Guwei Pond, which was originally a freshwater lake. Later, the island's residents introduced seawater into the lake in hopes of creating a fishing port, but the embankments they built were frequently washed away by typhoons, resulting in the lake now being a mix of salt and freshwater. On the opposite shore of the lake stands a statue of Guanyin, peacefully guarding Guwei Pond and the local residents. From the military base on the island, looking ahead, the mountains rise steeply and are lush with greenery. The distinct ridge lines of the mountains resemble a beautiful woman lying on her back, and you can clearly see her form, marveling at the wonders of nature. The end of Guishan Island features a cobblestone beach, which, influenced by wind direction and tides, shifts north and south with the monsoons, commonly referred to as "the spiritual turtle wagging its tail."
