Gavdos Island Introduction
No matter whether you arrive by land or sea, the sight of Guishan Island indicates you've reached Yilan. Located about ten kilometers east of the coast of Toucheng Township in Yilan County, Guishan Island is the largest island belonging to Yilan County and the only inhabited one. It is also currently the only active volcano in Taiwan. Named for its resemblance to a floating turtle, Guishan Island was included in the Northeast Coast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area by the Executive Yuan in 1999, after years of effort by the Yilan County government and local representatives following the lifting of martial law in 1988. Based on Guishan Island's cultural and ecological resources, it has been planned to become both an intellectual and emotional marine ecological park. By regulating the number of visitors, the aim is to reduce conflicts with the natural environment, while also incorporating nearby whale watching activities, making it a popular tourist spot along the northern blue highway. The island features an underwater world where thousands of crabs thrive in the steaming sulfur and strong acidic environment—a rare phenomenon. The island's famous scenic spot, Turtle Lake (also known as Guwei Pond), was originally a freshwater lake. Residents later introduced seawater into the lake hoping to create a fishing port. However, every time they built embankments, typhoons would wash them away, resulting in a lake that is now half salty and half fresh. On the opposite shore of the lake stands a statue of Guanyin, peacefully guarding both Guwei Pond and the local residents. From the military camp on the island, looking out, the steep mountains are lush with greenery. The clear ridges of the mountains resemble a beautiful woman lying on her back, and one can distinctly see her form, marveling at the wonders of nature. The end of Guishan Island boasts a pebble beach that shifts north and south depending on the wind and tides, commonly referred to as the "Turtle's Tail Waving."
