Hujing Island Recreation Area Introduction
Hujing Islet is the seventh largest island in the Penghu archipelago, located 7 nautical miles from Magong City. The island features spectacular basalt columnar joint formations. One of the eight scenic spots in Penghu, Hujing Chengyuan, offers a clear view of the seabed during low tide from the cliffs. According to legend, there was once a tiger hiding in a dried cave on the southeast side of the island, which is how it got its name "Hujing." There are also claims that the well which yields sweet spring water on the island is named "Haowei," a homophone of "Hujing" in Minnan dialect. These claims remain unverified and are for reference and inspiration only. The island is divided into East and West Mountains, with villages located between them on a narrow land formed by coral debris. Currently, the East Mountain is a military restricted area; the West Mountain, after the military's strategic withdrawal, has been developed into a park and recreation area by the Penghu County Government, preserving remnants of trenches built by the Japanese army during World War II. In recent years, it has been mistakenly referred to as the "Southern Command Post of Isoroku Yamamoto," when in fact it was only defended by a small naval unit commanded by a lieutenant. Mentioning Hujing Islet evokes thoughts of the "Hujing Sunken City" legend, which leaves many questions unanswered. The legend speaks of a dilapidated city wall resembling ruins, hidden beneath the waters of Hujing. The truth remains a mystery, leading to two divergent opinions in academia. One theory suggests that the ancient sunken city consists of barrel-shaped and Hujing's unique columnar basalt formations extending into the sea, creating the illusion of a sunken city; the other argues that historical records are not baseless, as the unusual landscapes in the area have also inspired many legends among the locals, adding to the mystique of Hujing Islet.
