Miao Yu Introduction
Matsu is located 16 kilometers southwest of Wang-an and 8 kilometers south of Huayu, belonging to Huayu Village in Wang-an Township, and includes both Big and Small Matsu islands along with surrounding reefs. Both islands are formed of basalt and are surrounded by steep cliffs, making climbing difficult. Big Matsu is a giant rock formation that rises above the surface, with a high elevation of about 70 to 79 meters, making it the highest point in the Penghu Islands. The marine erosion topography of Big Matsu is well-developed, with many sea caves surrounding it. At the northern cliff, there is a massive seawater-eroded arch, and on the eastern side, a marine erosion platform is exposed during low tide, featuring several potholes. Small Matsu is located to the east of Big Matsu and has even steeper terrain; a volcanic rock formation connects the two islands during low tide. There is a saying in Penghu: "No birds on Bird Island, no cats on Cat Island," referring to Matsu's shape resembling two squatting cats rather than an abundance of cats, as it is an uninhabited island. However, many migratory birds reside here; during summer, terns such as the Black-naped Tern and the Common Tern choose the remote and rugged Matsu for breeding, with around 3,000 to 5,000 birds nesting here each year. Matsu is the primary area to see Black-naped Terns in Penghu, with very few appearing in the northern waters. Therefore, the Penghu County Government designated Big and Small Matsu as the "Matsu Seabird Protection Area" in 1991, with the protected area including land and extending 100 meters into the surrounding sea. Access to the islands is restricted without special permission, but visitors can choose to take a boat to enjoy the beautiful sight of terns flying in the vicinity.
