Xiyu Ping Introduction
Xiyu Pingyu is located in the Nanhai Sea of Penghu, administratively known as Xiping Village, and is governed by Wang-an Township. It is an offshore island of Wang-an Township (approximately five nautical miles away). It is about twenty-three nautical miles from the administrative center of Penghu County, Magong City, with a sailing time of seventy-five minutes. Among the four southern islands of Penghu, Xiyu Pingyu is situated to the northwest of Dongyu Pingyu, with an area of 0.3477 square kilometers and a highest elevation of about 42 meters. The island has a slightly quadrilateral mountainous terrain, and due to the inability to build a harbor, there is only a wharf located in the southeastern part of the island. Due to the topography, village buildings could not cluster around the port; therefore, settlement developed in the flatter areas on the slopes, forming a unique landscape and cultural characteristics on the central plateau of the island. On the southeastern coast of Xiyu Pingyu, the wide and towering cliffs are a prominent feature. Many residents of Xiyu Pingyu have relocated, and most of the houses have deteriorated due to age, with the village's spiritual center, Huaniang Temple, being the best-preserved structure. Huaniang Temple mainly worships deities such as Wushuan, Matsu, Santai Zi, and General Chen. Although its scale and appearance may be slightly inferior compared to temples on other islands, the design of the gold incense burner and temple architecture still recalls the past glory of its construction. The road from the wharf to the inland settlement is about 50 meters long, known as "Haohan Slope." After passing this sloped path, one can see traditional Penghu houses built with stone and basalt. Due to the lack of a sheltered valley on the island, the village is mostly located in low-lying areas of the terrace. Most residents of Xiyu Pingyu have moved away, and the old houses often show signs of abandonment and damage, with only a few preserved intact for villagers who return during temple festivals to stay temporarily and clean their homes. On the northern side of the island is the Tudi Gong Temple, facing south, which is separated from Huaniang Temple by the wharf. It guards against northern malign forces, protecting the village from evil. The coastal landscape beside Tudi Gong Temple features geological formations made of volcanic gravel, as well as views of Headscarf and Anvil in the distance. The village of Xiyu Pingyu is primarily concentrated in the southern end, with fewer structures in the northern end, hence the geological and topographical scenery is richer and more splendid in the southern end, showcasing a coastline composed of large pebbled beaches. On the left side of the pebble beach, there is a "small anvil," and from a distance, one can see the Headscarf.
