Guanyin Island Introduction
Gupo Island is located to the northwest of Baisha and to the southwest of Jibei Island. It is a tableland formed of basalt, about 1 kilometer long from north to south, and is the largest uninhabited island in the Penghu Archipelago. The entire island exposes numerous porous basalt formations, with a surface layer covered by iron-rich quartz sandstone, creating a stark contrast that makes it an anomaly among the different geological formations of the various islands in Penghu. On the northern side of the island, there is a monument commemorating shipwrecks, with a dried fishery to the east, beautiful coral reefs in the southeastern waters, and the most famous seaweed production area to the north. Every year around the Lunar New Year, Chikan Village organizes large-scale harvesting activities based on the growth of seaweed on Gupo Island. The management committee of Longde Temple in Chikan Village collects a fee based on the number of male members in each household as a right to harvest on the island. With its numerous reefs and strong winter winds, Penghu's wild seaweed has a unique and abundant yield, bringing considerable income to fishermen during the harsh winter months. There are many legends and associations regarding the name Gupo Island. It is said that a long time ago, there was a young girl in a village who had a boyfriend for many years, but faced opposition from her parents, who forced her to marry someone else. To resist her parents' pressure and prove her unwavering love, she eloped with her lover to this uninhabited island in the northern sea of Penghu. They made promises to each other in front of heaven and earth, swearing their love amidst the mountains and seas, and spent their lives together on the island. It is said that when her descendants visited her, they all referred to her as "Gupo" (a term of endearment). Another version of the story suggests that the girl, in keeping her promise of love, exiled herself to the uninhabited island to live out her days in solitude. The practice of calling unmarried older women "Gupo" gave rise to the island's name. Regardless, as this story of unwavering love has been passed down through generations, the tale of Gupo has become a beautiful legend of this uninhabited island.
