Yankau Island Introduction
On the way to Husi Township, in the eastern sea area of Zhongzheng Bridge, a small island quietly stands in the sea, contrasting with the bustling traffic on the bridge. This island is Yanqing Islet. Yanqing Islet, formerly known as Yuanylong Islet, features a long, narrow rock formation resembling a spine on its western side at low tide, referred to as the Dragon's Tail. On the eastern side, it resembles a turtle (soft-shelled turtle), hence the name Yuanylong Islet. In addition, it has several other names such as Yanjing Islet, Yanzheng Islet, and Mu Jing Islet. Today, the name Yanqing Islet is associated with various legends. One story tells of a male duck that went out to search for food, leaving the female duck on the island, which was then captured. The male duck stayed on the island searching for its mate until its death. This tale led villagers to name it Yanqing Islet, previously known as Yanqing Islet. Another account mentions that in the early days before Zhongzheng Bridge was built, villagers from Baisha and Zhongtun often had to wade through the water to transport agricultural and fishery products to Magong, with the island being directly along the route, hence originally referred to as "Yanchuan Islet". Over time, the name evolved phonetically to Yanqing Islet. Yanqing Islet covers an area of 0.0069 square kilometers, with a coastline of 0.331 kilometers and a maximum height of 14 meters. Its geology predominantly consists of basalt terrain, while the northern and southern parts of the island feature sections of red volcanic gravel and red soil layers, primarily due to long-term oxidation from sea exposure. Due to its geographical location near Zhongxi Village in Husi Township, early residents from Zhongxi would herd cattle here to plant sweet potatoes. The island also contains remnants of fortifications and deep caves, believed to be tunnels dug by Japanese soldiers during the colonial period to prevent American landings; additionally, the Nationalist army also stationed here around 30-40 years ago. At low tide, Yanqing Islet becomes a land-connected island, accessible by wading through the extensive intertidal zone revealed under Zhongzheng Bridge. However, one must pay attention to the tide schedule, as rising waters soon cover the intertidal zone, concealing the path back, and only Yanqing Islet’s basalt geology remains visible, creating a beautiful, solitary, and mysterious landscape. Recommended stay time: 1 hour.
The Island of Geese after Low Tide
