Xiyu Ping Introduction
Xiyu Pinyin, located in the southern seas of Penghu, is administered as Xiping Village under Wangan Township, being an offshore island roughly five nautical miles away. It is about 23 nautical miles from the administrative center of Penghu County, Magong City, with a travel time of approximately 75 minutes. Among the four southern islands of Penghu, Xiyu Pinyin is situated to the northwest of Dongyu Pinyin, covering an area of 0.3477 square kilometers, with its highest elevation reaching about 42 meters. The island features a roughly quadrilateral mountain terrain, but due to the inability to build a harbor, there is only one wharf located on the southeastern side of the island. The topography has resulted in village buildings being unable to cluster around the port, leading residents to settle and develop in the flatter areas at the mountain tops, creating a unique landscape and cultural characteristic in the central platform of the island. Along the southeastern coast of Xiyu Pinyin, the broad and towering cliffs create a noticeable topography, while Hua Niang Temple serves as the primary religious center of the village. Many residents have migrated away, and most houses have deteriorated due to age; however, Hua Niang Temple remains the most intact structure. The temple is dedicated to various deities, including the main god Wu Shuai, Mazu, San Taizi, and General Chen. Although its scale and appearance might seem inferior compared to temples on other islands, the design of the incense burner and temple architecture still reflect the past splendor of its establishment. The road leading from the wharf to the inland settlement is a roughly 50-meter long "Hero Slope." Once you pass this slope, you will see traditional Penghu houses made of coral stones and basalt. Due to the absence of sheltered valleys on the island, settlements are often located in low-lying areas of the plateau. Most residents of Xiyu Pinyin have moved to other places, and the ancient houses mostly appear abandoned and damaged. A few remain intact as villagers return home during temple festivals to temporarily stay and maintain them. To the north of the island is the Land God Temple, situated north-south with respect to Hua Niang Temple nearby the wharf, used to ward off evil spirits and protect the village from northern malevolent forces. The coastal scenery next to the Land God Temple features geological formations of volcanic gravel and offers a view of the nearby "Headscarf" and "Anvil." The village of Xiyu Pinyin is primarily concentrated in the southern end, while there are fewer constructions in the northern end, leading to richer geological and topographical features. The northern coast showcases large areas of pebble beaches. On the left side of the pebble beach, there is a "Little Anvil," and from there, you can sight the "Headscarf" in the distance.
