Xiji Island Introduction
Xijiyu is located approximately 4.5 kilometers west of Dongjiyu and is one of the islands belonging to the Southern Four Islands National Park. The west and north sides feature basalt sea cliffs with distinct columnar joints stretching for hundreds of meters, making it a spectacular sight. It is also designated as part of the South China Sea Basalt Nature Reserve. Residents were completely relocated in 1978, and it is currently an uninhabited island, requiring prior application for landing. Although the houses are mostly in ruins, the structures of the settlement are still clearly visible. Among these, the remnants of the religious center, Xijigong, and four stone towers built to ward off evil spirits can be seen. There are also vegetable houses constructed from basalt on the north side of the village to withstand the northeast monsoon. Even though the village has been abandoned for a long time, the former residents of Xiji, now living in various places, return to the village every year during major festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival to stay for a few days and bring the next generation on a root-seeking journey. The most well-known attraction of Xijiyu is the sea cave located on the northwest side of the island, colloquially known as "Zaolong" due to its resemblance to a stove. The water surrounding the cave appears sapphire blue due to light refraction, earning it the nickname "Blue Cave." The eastern and southern sides of the island mostly feature rocky shorelines, with the northeast intertidal zone exhibiting erosion that creates hollows and forming pot holes, or expanding into "tidal pools." These geological attractions, like Zaolong, are also noteworthy sights on Xijiyu.
