South Penghu Marine National Park, mainly consisting of Dongyuping Island, Xiyuping Island, Dongjiyu, Sijiyu, and other islets nearby, is a famous spot for ecotourism. In the bottom of the sea lies a secret “lavender forest”—purple coral reefs can be seen everywhere, even by simply standing on the shore, which forms a fantastic view.
Dongyuping Island is the last lava-formed island in Penghu. It has a high percentage of coral cover and a rich marine environment in its sea area, and as its land is not over-developed, traditional Penghu houses and Caizhai built with basalt and coral rocks as well as western style houses built during the prosperous period are preserved.
The villages are mainly settled in the basins in the western and southwestern areas of the island. Most of the houses, built along the lee side of the hills from the south to the north, are traditional Min style, and on the side slopes through the north and the south are wide Caizhai and terraced field with terraced field with which visitors can imagine the old farming days.
In addition, landscapes of basalt joint can be seen from the back of Dongyuping Island, including sea grooves, sea stacks, sea caves, and the two kinds of joints, columnar joints and platy joints, which were formed differently according to the time of eruption and cooling of the lava.
Xiyuping Island is an island of quadrangular mesa sitting northwest of Dongyuping Island. Villages are hard to be formed at the pier because of the terrain and thus settled on the top of the mesa, especially the lower area of the mesa, as there is no col to take shelter from the wind on the island.
The path from the pier to the inland villages is a steep slope around 50 meters long. After walking through the slope, the traditional Penghu houses piled up with coral stones and basalts are there to be seen. Most of the villages are in the island's southern area, so the northern area, with fewer residents living there, has more geographical landscapes than the south. A broad gravel coast is viewable, the Small Tiejhen Islet is in sight at the left side of the gravels, and even Toujinyu can be seen with a gaze into the distance.
Residents have moved out of the island, and most of the houses are now old, out of repair and therefore damaged. Huaniang Temple is currently the most well-preserved architecture that gives a hint of the gorgeousness in the old days with the design of its censer and architecture.
Dongjiyu, also known as Dongji Island, is an important position of the Taiwan Penghu Channel. Having long been the transfer station for the sea trade of Taiwan and Penghu, it is given the title “Little Shanghai”. During the Japanese colonial period, to ensure the right of occupation of Taiwan and Penghu, barracks and lighthouses were built at the north end and the south end of the island and garrisons were appointed to control the nearby sea area, which formed the first sea defense between Taiwan and Penghu. The Dongji Lighthouse built in the north area is the commanding height of the whole island.
When the goats are put out to pasture by the local residents, a number of white and black goats grazing or relaxing become a cozy view to enjoy on the hillside.
Sijiyu, also known as Siji Island, is an important position of the Taiwan Penghu Channel. The remoteness and lack of convenient transportation make it difficult for the residents to live, which led to a sharp population decline. The village relocated on July 1, 1978, with the government’s assistance, so the village on the island is now abandoned. Famous attractions include Siji Blue Cave, a unique open sea cave in Penghu that faces no sabotage and thus is complete and well preserved