Nansha Islands Introduction
The Southern Four Islands National Park is mainly composed of Dongyuping Island, Xiyuping Island, Dongjij Island, Xijij Island, and the surrounding reefs. It is a hub for ecotourism, where a whole underwater lavender forest is hidden, and the sea floor is covered with purple coral reefs, which can be seen from the shore, creating a dreamlike scene. Dongyuping Island is the last island formed by volcanic lava in Penghu, with its waters featuring a high coverage of corals and a rich marine ecosystem, along with the unexploited land that has retained the traditional Penghu houses made of basalt and coral reefs, as well as Western-style buildings from its prosperous era. The island's settlements are mainly distributed in the depressions in the west and southwest, with houses primarily consisting of traditional Minnan architecture, built along the hills in a wind-sheltered direction from south to north. Both sides of the north-south road have expansive vegetable farms and terraced fields, reflecting the agricultural lifestyle of the past. In addition, many basaltic geological features can be seen in the back mountains of Dongyuping Island, including sea erosion ditches, sea erosion columns, and sea erosion caves, along with two types of geological formations—columnar and platy basalt—formed by various cooling times of lava eruptions. Xiyuping Island, located to the northwest of Dongyuping Island, has a quadrilateral mountain terrain. Due to the geographical conditions, villages couldn't gather at the port and chose to settle on flat areas at the hilltops, lacking sheltered valleys which caused most settlements to cluster in the low-lying terraces. The road from the dock to the inland settlements features a section called "Hero Slope," about 50 meters long, where you can see traditional Penghu houses made from granite and basalt. Most villages are centered in the southern end, with fewer buildings in the northern end, leading to a richer geological landscape in the south, where rocky coastlines composed of large gravel can be seen, along with a "Small Anvil" Island on the left side of the gravel, and further away, you can also see Headscarf Island. Many local residents have since relocated, and most houses have fallen into disrepair, with the “Hua Niang Temple” being the most well-preserved structure, allowing a glimpse into the brilliance of the past from its incense burners and temple architecture. Dongjij Island, also known as Dongji Island, is an important strategic point on the Taichung-Penghu route and has historically been a transfer station for maritime trade between Taiwan and Penghu, earning the nickname "Little Shanghai." During the Japanese occupation, to secure control over Taiwan and Penghu, military barracks and lighthouses were built at both the northern and southern ends of the island, where troops were stationed to control nearby waters, becoming the first maritime barrier between Taiwan and Penghu; the Dongji Lighthouse built in the north is also the highest point on the island. Local residents graze sheep on the island, and climbing the hills, one can see many black-and-white sheep grazing and resting, offering a picturesque view. Xijij Island, also known as Xiji Island, is another important point on the Taichung-Penghu route. Due to its remote location and difficulties in transportation, residents faced challenges in making a living, resulting in a sharp decrease in population. Due to government-assisted relocation on July 1, 1978, the island is now deserted. A famous attraction here is the Xijij Blue Cave, a unique vertical sea erosion cave in Penghu, which remains well-preserved in its natural state due to the lack of human destruction.
Xiyu Ping
Dongji Island
