Nansha Islands Introduction
The Southern Four Islands National Park is primarily composed of Dongyupingyu, Xiyupingyu, Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, and surrounding reefs. It is a hotspot for ecotourism, with an underwater landscape featuring a hidden lavender forest and purple coral reefs that can be seen from the shore, creating a dreamlike scene. Dongyupingyu is the last island formed by volcanic lava in Penghu. Its waters boast a high coverage of coral and a rich marine ecosystem, while the land remains largely undeveloped, preserving traditional Penghu houses made of basalt and coral, as well as Western-style buildings from its prosperous era. The island settlements are mainly distributed in the depressions to the west and southwest, with houses predominantly built in traditional Minnan style, situated along the hillsides to shield from the wind. The slopes on both sides of the north-south road are spacious areas for vegetable gardens and terraced fields, reflecting agricultural life in the past. Additionally, the back hills of Dongyupingyu showcase many basalt columnar structures, including sea-eroded grooves, pillars, and caves, as well as geological features formed by different cooling times of lava, resulting in columnar and plate-like joints. Xiyupingyu, located to the northwest of Dongyupingyu, features a quadrilateral flat mountain terrain. Due to its topography, villages could not gather at the harbor, leading residents to settle on the flat land at the summit. The lack of a sheltered valley means that villages mostly cluster in the low-lying areas of the plateau. The road from the dock to the inland settlement features a segment known as "Good Man Slope," about 50 meters long, which leads up a slope where traditional Penghu houses made of tuff and basalt can be seen. Since most villages are concentrated in the southern end, the northern end has fewer developments, leading to a richer geological landscape, including coastlines made of large pebbles, with "Little Anvil Rock" visible off the left side of the pebbled shore, and further sight of Headscarf Island. Many local residents have moved away over the years, and most houses have fallen into disrepair. The only building well preserved is the "Hua Niang Temple," reflecting the glory of past times based on the design of the incense burner and temple architecture. Dongjiyu, also known as Dongji Island, is an important point on the Taichung-Penghu shipping route, historically serving as a transit station for maritime trade between Taiwan and Penghu, earning the nickname "Little Shanghai." During the Japanese colonial period, to secure Taiwan's control, military barracks and lighthouses were built at both the northern and southern ends of the island, with troops stationed to oversee the adjacent waters, creating 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 offers views of many black and white sheep grazing peacefully, adding to the idyllic scenery. Xijiyu, also known as Xiji Island, is another key point on the Taichung-Penghu shipping route. Due to its remote location and inconvenient transport, residents face hardships in livelihood, leading to a sharp population decline. On July 1, 1978, the government assisted in relocating the village, and the island is now abandoned. A notable attraction is the Xiji Blue Cave, a unique sea cave in Penghu that remains intact due to the absence of human interference, preserving its natural landscape.
Xiyu Ping
Dongjiyu Island
