Dongqing Bay Introduction
Dongqing Bay is located on the eastern part of Lanyu (Orchid Island) and is the largest bay in the island, extending about half a kilometer to the south from the front of Dongqing Village. The bay is slender in shape. The area generally referred to as Dongqing Bay, where many wooden boats known as "pingban boats" are parked, actually refers to the natural harbor "Dongqing Harbor" surrounded by reefs in front of Dongqing Village. When visitors arrive at Dongqing Bay, they can often see pingban boats lined up along the shore. As the name suggests, pingban boats are constructed by joining together planks of wood, rather than being carved from a single large piece. At sunrise, it is common to see people waiting at Dongqing Bay to witness the sunrise. With the blue harbor and the pingban boats on the shore as a backdrop, along with the ever-changing clouds at sunrise, it is one of the most representative landscapes of Lanyu. If you want to photograph the sunrise, it is recommended to check the sunrise time with the Central Weather Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications and arrive 30 to 60 minutes early to capture the changes in the sky. The pingban boat holds significant importance in the culture of the Tao people. Traditionally, there are many taboos associated with pingban boats, such as women being prohibited from touching pingban boats and outsiders not being allowed to touch or photograph them. Although these taboos have gradually loosened with the development of tourism, some local businesses have recently allowed tourists to experience riding pingban boats. Tourists interested in this activity can consult local businesses, but be sure not to touch anything without permission. More information on traveling in Lanyu.
