Xiaomen Island Introduction
Xiaomen Island is located at the northern tip of Xiyu Island, separated by a waterway approximately 20 meters wide. A bridge, known as Xiaomen Bridge, connects the two islands. Although the total area of the island is only 0.5 square kilometers, Xiaomen Island features geological and topographical landscapes that serve as a microcosm of the Penghu Archipelago, earning it the nickname "living outdoor geological classroom." Xiaomen Island is a lava plateau with a higher northern terrain and a lower southern terrain. The eastern, northern, and western coasts of the island are predominantly basalt cliffs, while the southern coast is a gathering area for villages. Here, visitors can see porous basalt in spherical structures, as well as diverse geological landscapes, including unique iron-rich quartz sandstone, iron-rich clay layers, gray shell rocks mixed with animal fossils, and eroded small badland formations. One of the island's most famous attractions is "Whale Cave," named for its resemblance to a whale's head emerging from the water. Originally a basalt cliff, Whale Cave has been shaped by the continuous erosion of seawater into what is now known as a "sea arch," illustrating the evolution of coastal erosion landforms. In addition, Xiaomen Island has cultural features such as honeycomb-shaped fields and Stone God statues, along with the Xiaomen Geological Museum, which offers a great opportunity to explore the geological mysteries of Penghu—definitely not to be missed!
