Guanyin Island Introduction
Gupoy Island is located to the northwest of Baisha and to the southwest of Jibei Island. It is a tableland formed of basalt, measuring about 1 kilometer in length from south to north, and is the largest uninhabited island in the Penghu Islands. The island is prominently covered with many porous basalt formations, with a surface layer rich in iron-rich quartz sandstone, creating a stark contrast. This makes it an anomaly among the different geological formations of the various islands in Penghu. On the northern part of the island's tableland stands a memorial for shipwrecked British sailors, while to the east is a squid fishing area. The southeastern waters boast beautiful coral reefs, and the northern side is renowned for its abundant production of nori (seaweed). Annually around the Lunar New Year, the residents of Cikeng Village conduct large-scale harvesting activities based on the growth conditions of nori on Gupoy Island. The management committee of the Longde Temple in Cikeng Village collects fees based on the number of male members in each household as a right to access the island for harvesting. With many islands and reefs in the Penghu archipelago, strong winter winds and waves provide a rich yield of wild nori, bringing significant income to fishermen during the harsh winter months. The origin of the name Gupoy Island is surrounded by many legends and associations. It is said that long ago, a young girl in a village had a boyfriend of many years, but her parents opposed their relationship and forced her to marry another man. To resist her parents' pressure and prove her steadfast love, the gentle girl eloped with her boyfriend to an uninhabited island in the northern waters of Penghu. Together they vowed their love before heaven and earth, and spent the rest of their lives on that small island. It is said that when her descendants visited her, they called her "Gupoy." Another version of the story suggests that the girl, having kept her promise of love, exiled herself to the uninhabited island to live out her days in solitude, which is why those who die unmarried were traditionally called "Gupoy." Regardless of the variations, as the tale of this lifelong commitment to love has been passed down through generations, the story of Gupoy has become a beautiful legend associated with this uninhabited island.
Gūpóyǔ Island
