Yanshih Island Introduction
On the way to Luksi Township, there is a small island quietly standing in the sea on the eastern side of the Zhongzheng Bridge. In contrast to the hustle and bustle on the bridge, the isolated island in the sea appears mysterious and tranquil. This island is Yanqing Islet. Yanqing Islet, formerly known as Yuanshan Islet, has a long rock formation resembling a spine on the western side during low tide, referred to as the Dragon Tail, while the eastern side resembles a tortoise (turtle), thus it was named Yuanshan Islet. Additionally, it has other names such as Yanqing Islet, Yanjing Islet, and Mugen Islet. Today, there are several legends regarding the name Yanqing Islet. It is said that a pair of wild geese lived on the island, and when the male goose went out to forage, the female was captured, leading the male to stay on the island searching for the female until the end of its life. Villagers named the island based on this tale, which was originally called Yanqing Islet before being changed to Yanqing Islet. Another explanation suggests that in the early days, before the Zhongzheng Bridge was built, villagers from the Baisha and Zhongtun areas often waded through the water to deliver agricultural and fishery products to Magong, with this island located nearby along the route, thus it was named "Yanjian Islet" (literally "front island"). Over time, the name was phonetically transformed into Yanqing Islet. Yanqing Islet covers an area of 0.0069 square kilometers, has a coastline of 0.331 kilometers, and reaches a maximum height of 14 meters. The geology primarily consists of basalt terrain, with parts of red volcanic gravel and red soil layers found on the northern and southern sides of the island. The red rock layers are mainly due to long-term oxidation of the rocks by seawater. Due to its geographical proximity to Zhongxi Village in Luksi Township, residents in the past would bring their cattle here to plant sweet potatoes. The island also features remnants of fortifications and deep holes, which are said to have been dug by Japanese soldiers during the Japanese colonial period to prevent American troops from landing. Furthermore, the National Army was stationed on this island about 30 to 40 years ago. During low tide, Yanqing Islet becomes a land-connected island, allowing access from beneath the Zhongzheng Bridge through the exposed intertidal zone. However, one must pay attention to the tide times, as rising tides cover the intertidal area, making the way back invisible, revealing only the basalt geology of Yanqing Islet, which is beautifully lonely and mysterious, showcasing a unique landscape. 【Suggested Visit Duration】1 hour
Guanyin Islet at Low Tide
