Wang'an is composed of porous basalt with rich deposits of wenshi, or veined stone. The beautiful sandy beaches here have given Wang'an the nickname of "Honeymoon Island".

The island's highest elevation, Tiantai Hill, is just 53 meters above sea level and is composed by large expanses of green pasture upon which cattle graze. On the western side of the peak is an indentation in the rock which is said to be the footprint of Liu Dung-bin, one of the legendary Eight Immortals of China. On the western side of the island, Zhongshe (Jungshe) Village has a well-preserved group of Qing Dynasty houses--the only place in the Taiwan area which boasts a whole collection of historic residences. Some of them are still inhabited.

Wang'an is also home to the most stable nesting ground in the Taiwan area for green sea turtles. The nesting site is now protected as a nature preserve.