Cat Island Introduction
Miao Yu is located about 16 kilometers southwest of Wangan Island in Penghu, consisting of two islets known as Big Miao Yu and Little Miao Yu, named for their shape resembling two cats crouched down. The islets are composed of basalt and cover an area of approximately 10 hectares. Little Miao Yu lies to the east of Big Miao Yu and is connected to it by a sea trench during low tide. The highest point of Big Miao Yu is 70 meters, making it the highest point of the Penghu Islands. At the northern cliff, there is a massive sea arch that runs through Big Miao Yu; the exit of the arch is a sea cave located on the west side of Big Miao Yu, which is only visible during low tide. The administrative area of Miao Yu belongs to Wang'an Township in Penghu County and is an uninhabited island composed of Big Miao Yu, Little Miao Yu, and some reefs, located about 16 kilometers southwest of Wang'an Island. From a distance, it resembles two cats lying on the surface of the sea, hence the name; its elevation is about 70-79 meters, making it the highest peak in the Penghu Islands. There are records of military and fishing activities in the past. In 1991, the Penghu County Government designated Big and Little Miao Yu as a seabird sanctuary under the Wildlife Conservation Act, making it Taiwan's first wildlife sanctuary. In addition to a land area of about 10 hectares, the sanctuary includes a marine area extending 100 meters outward, totaling 36.2 hectares. Miao Yu is the largest breeding ground for the Black Naped Tern in Asia, and other species such as the White Browed Tern, Crested Tern, and Swallow Tern also breed on the islets. Although landing on the sanctuary is strictly prohibited, visitors can still take boats to the surrounding waters during the breeding season in summer to enjoy the scenery. Both Big and Little Miao Yu have a land area of about 10 hectares, with steep terrain and cliffs on all sides. Big Miao Yu rises prominently over Little Miao Yu, which is located to its east, separated by a trench about 10 meters wide during low tide, along with a sea erosion platform on one side. The surrounding reefs are scattered, and the strong currents make it difficult for boats to approach or pass through. The upper layers of the area's rock formations are predominantly basalt, with many curved columnar joints; the lower layers consist of volcanic breccia, featuring unique and spectacular volcanic geological terrain. In 1991, Miao Yu was designated as the "Penghu County Miao Yu Seabird Sanctuary," and in 1997, it was amended as such. Due to its designation as a seabird sanctuary, the island hosts a diverse range of bird species, recorded to comprise over 45-55 species from about 20 families, with Black Naped Terns and White Browed Terns being the most prevalent, making up about 90% of the total. During the breeding season from March to September, large flocks of seabirds come here to breed and forage, with their numbers reaching tens of thousands, creating a breathtaking scene. Access to Miao Yu is restricted for general tourists, who can only cruise the surrounding waters for viewing, and all acts of harassment towards seabirds and destruction of the ecological environment are prohibited. If one needs to land on the island, permission must be applied for and granted to conduct survey operations.
Surrounded by steep cliffs on all sides, with a coastal erosion platform on one side.
