Penghu is an archipelago made of about 90 islands located in the southeastern part of the Taiwan Straits. These islands have a total of 320 kilometers of shoreline, and together they constitute Taiwan's only island county. They were developed long ago, and they offer different moods and sights in different seasons thanks to such factors as their geographic environment, climate, cultural resources, and natural ecology. The tourist season in Penghu starts in April and peaks from June through August, so prior reservations are necessary for travel during these months.

Once you have come to the Penghu Islands, the surrounding ocean waters will make you forget about going home again. The seas, the beaches, and the skies are clear and unpolluted, making this a rare "pure land" in today's world. The living environment here attracts even the most particular forms of life, including the green sea turtle. In addition to its rich oceanic resources, Penghu offers fantastic sights of basalt column formations, the plain and simple lifestyle of the local people, well-preserved historic sites, and captivating scenery.

Penghu can be toured either by land or by sea. By sea you can fish or snorkel, you can see the undersea world from a glass-bottom boat. On land you can see basalt formations, sea-eroded coastline, and other sights of nature's sculpture, as well as the local daisy--the county flower--and the cactus that proliferates here. Or you can visit the historic sites and ancient houses, or simply enjoy the local folk culture in all its varieties. A tour of the Penghu Islands is rich in education and entertainment as well.

Penghu is divided into three major recreational systems: Magong Island, Beihai (North Sea) and Nanhai (South Sea).

The Magong Island Recreational System comprises the four islands of Magong, Zhongtun, Baisha, and Xiyu. Major visitor attractions here include the four-plus century old Tianhou (Mazu) Temple, a national historic site; Xiyu Western Fort, a witness to the turbulent recent history of the Taiwan Strait; Taiwan's oldest lighthouse—Fisherman Lighthouse; the Cross-sea Bridge linking the island townships of Baisha and Xiyu; the 300-year-old Tongliang Banyan; the bellow-like sounds of the waves at Fenggui and Huxi's "Gold Coast" beach between Aimen and Lintou.

The Beihai Recreational System can be divided into the Beihai and Donghai subsystems. The former, encompassing the islands of Gupo, Xianjiao, Jibei, and Mudou, is known for its golden beaches and blue sea and sky, making this an ideal spot for snorkeling and seaside recreations. The Donghai subsystem, embracing the islands of Yuanbei, Niaoyu, Little Baisha, Jishan, and Dinggou, is known for its recreational fishing and unusual scenic landscapes, including the stunning basalt formations on Dinggou, Jishan and Little Baisha. This area also attracts flocks of terns during the mating season, making this an excellent spot for bird watching.

The Nanhai Recreational System brings together Tongpan Island, Hujing Island, Wang'an Island, and Qimei Island. This area is known for its beautiful basalt formations, the expansive Gangqiu Grassland, and the fascinating stories associated with Qimei. On Tongpan Island, one can view classic basalt mesa landforms and columnar basalt formations. Wang'an Island is a well-known source of beautifully veined rocks, as well as home to Taiwan's most stable green sea turtle breeding areas. And on Qimei Island, the Twin Heart Stone Weir offers a site to behold.

In addition to enjoying the beautiful natural scenery, of course you will also want to sample the special snacks for which the islands are famous. These include seafood, fried vermicelli with pumpkins, salty cakes, black sweet cakes, and cactus fruit and fruit juice.