Hujing Island Recreation Area Introduction
Hujing Island is the seventh largest island in the Penghu archipelago, located 7 nautical miles away from Magong City. The island features spectacular basalt columns. One of the old eight scenic spots of Penghu, Hujing Chengyuan, offers a clear view of the sea from the cliffs during low tide. According to legend, a tiger once hid in a dry cave on the southeastern side of the island, leading to its name "Hujing." There are also theories suggesting that the name comes from a well on the island that yields fresh water called "Haowei," which sounds similar to the Minnan pronunciation of "Hujing." These explanations have yet to be conclusively verified and should be treated as references and inspirations. The island is divided into two main mountains, with villages located between the eastern and western hills on land formed from coral debris. The eastern mountain is currently a military restricted area; the western mountain, after the military's withdrawal, has been developed by the Penghu Administration into a public park and recreational area, preserving the remnants of trenches constructed by the Japanese military during World War II. In recent years, it has been erroneously referred to as the "South Command Post of Isoroku Yamamoto," which actually only had a small naval detachment commanded by a lieutenant. Mentioning Hujing Island inevitably brings to mind the legend of "Hujing Sunken City," leaving one with plenty of thoughts and questions. The legend speaks of a decaying city wall hidden beneath the waters of Hujing, and its true nature remains a mystery. This has led to diverging opinions in academia; one theory suggests that the ancient sunken city is merely an optical illusion created by the unique basalt column formations extending into the sea, while another argues that historical records and many local legends regarding the unusual landscape lend credibility to the existence of such a city, adding to the island's mystique.
