Xiaomen Islet Introduction
Xiao Men Islet is located at the northern end of Xiyu Island, separated by a waterway approximately 20 meters wide, with the Xiao Men Bridge connecting the two islands. Although the entire area is only 0.5 square kilometers, the geological landscape of Xiao Men Islet is a microcosm of the Penghu Archipelago, known as a living outdoor geological classroom. Xiao Men Islet is a lava plateau with a high northern terrain and a lower southern part. The eastern, northern, and western coasts are mostly basalt sea cliffs, while the southern coast is where the village is concentrated. Here, one can see porous basalt with a spherical shape, as well as a variety of geological features such as iron-rich quartz sandstone, iron-rich clay layers, gray shell rocks mixed with animal fossils, and various types of badlands eroded by flowing water. The most famous attraction on the island is the "Whale Cave," named for its resemblance to a whale's head emerging from the water. The Whale Cave was originally a basalt sea cliff that has been continuously eroded by seawater, evolving into the "sea arch" we see today, illustrating the evolution of coastal erosion landforms. Additionally, Xiao Men Islet features humanistic landscapes such as honeycomb-style vegetable houses and Shigandang, along with a great opportunity to glimpse the geological mysteries of Penghu at the "Xiao Men Geological Museum," which you definitely should not miss!
