Chiu-shan Islet Introduction
When mentioning the basalt landscape of Penghu, one cannot ignore Jishan Islets. Known as the "Huangshan of the East Sea," Jishan Islets is located 4 kilometers offshore from Beiliao Village in Huxi Township. It consists of the larger and smaller Jishan Islands, which are connected at low tide, allowing for walking between the two. Both the large and small Jishan Islands are basalt tablelands, with clearly visible columnar jointing around the sea cliffs. The larger Jishan Island features multiple marine erosion grooves and sea caves, while the smaller island is characterized by closely arranged hexagonal columnar basalt, resembling an organ, which is how the islets got their English name. The basalt here often contains green olivine, which in geology represents components from deep underground, brought up by the rising basalt lava as high-melting-point minerals. This unique landscape has been designated as a basalt nature reserve, and prior application is required to visit the islands. In winter, like Dinggou Islet, Jishan Islets produces a large quantity of nori. Since the Qing Dynasty, Jishan Islets has been a main source of income for neighboring villages through harvesting by the Guaye, Nanyiao, and Hongluo clans. This has been referred to locally as "black gold." During spring and summer, the islets serve as a breeding ground for terns, primarily the crested tern, and even host rare migratory birds known as the "legendary bird," the black-naped tern. Visitors can take cruises to observe various bird species, making it an excellent spot for birdwatching enthusiasts.
