Magong

Day Trips

Touch down at Magong Airport or arrive by ferry to Penghu’s main port and feel the salty breeze instantly. Collect your rental scooter or car and head straight to the powdery shores of Shanshui Beach to kick off your adventure. Dip your toes in the turquoise waters as vendors sell refreshing coconut drinks by the edge.

Drive along the scenic coastal road to Qimei Island viewpoint, stopping to marvel at dramatic basalt columns and wind-blasted cliffs. Sample a local bento box picnic under a palm tree and listen to the rhythmic lapping of waves. Continue onward to Erkan Village, where whitewashed homes frame narrow lanes perfect for dreamy snapshots.

Return to Magong City in time for a seafood feast at a waterside restaurant overlooking the harbor lights. Feast on grilled squid, buttery lobster, and freshly shucked oysters while fishermen unload their catch. End the night with a leisurely stroll along the wharf, watching lanterns reflected in the gentle sea.

Begin at Tianhou Temple, one of the oldest and most vibrant Mazu temples in the archipelago, its carved wooden beams and painted roofs glinting in the sun. Listen to guides recount tales of the sea goddess and the island’s maritime heritage behind every incense-scented prayer. Wander the adjacent Cobblestone Street and admire historic merchant houses draped in bougainvillea.

Hop over to Penghu Tianliao Guanyin Temple, where intricate stone carvings depict mythic sea journeys. Explore the Magong City Wall remnants and the old East Gate, remnants of Ming Dynasty defenses against pirates. Pause at a nearby tea house to sip oolong and absorb vistas of harbor ferries coming and going.

Head to the historic island lighthouse for a golden-hour panorama of Magong Bay turning copper under the setting sun. Relish a casual dinner of oyster omelet and rice vermicelli at a bustling night market brimming with neon signs. Cap off the night with local peanut brittle sweets and starlit conversation on a seaside bench.

Rent a sturdy bike and set out before sunrise to follow the Penghu Cross-Island Cycling Path, weaving through salt fields and wildflower meadows. Feel the cool morning air on your face as fishing boats drift lazily under the soft light. Stop at a roadside stand for a hearty bowl of millet porridge and savory pickled vegetables.

Pedal on toward the iconic Basalt Columns Park, where volcanic rock formations rise like cathedral pillars from the shoreline. Snap photos of geometric cliffs reflected in the shallow tidal pools before continuing to a windmill-lined plateau. Enjoy a bento picnic beside wind turbines that hum gently above the rolling fields.

Return your bike in Magong and sip a handcrafted latte at a hip café housed in a renovated warehouse. Savor Taiwanese-style shaved ice dotted with fresh mango and sweet red beans as dusk hues swirl overhead. Stroll along Zhongyang Old Street, lined with traditional shopfronts glowing under lanterns.

Journey to Xiyu Island’s Tianhou Temple, perched high above crashing waves, where rituals have welcomed sailors for centuries. Marvel at its hilltop setting and the sea spray that mists the courtyard in dawn’s light. Explore nearby basalt cave shrines where monks once retreated for meditation.

Drive to the tranquil settlement of Shanshui Village, famed for its red-tiled roofs and labyrinthine alleys painted with local murals. Visit a family-run glove puppet theater and watch a short performance that brings folk legends to life. Sip herbal tea infused with island-grown lemongrass at a porch cafe overlooking rice paddies.

Head back to Magong for a cultural show at the Penghu Drum Tower, rhythmic drumming echoing off ancient stone walls. Feast on local specialties like century eggs and fried cuttlefish at a nearby tavern. Conclude your evening with a lantern-floating ceremony by the water, sending your warm wishes out to sea.

Embark on a guided boat tour to the coral-studded waters of Penghu Marine National Park and don snorkeling gear. Swim among vibrant clownfish and butterflyfish darting through an underwater garden of beige and orange corals. Listen as your guide explains conservation efforts that protect these fragile reefs.

Lunch aboard the boat featuring freshly grilled fish caught that morning, accompanied by tangy pickles and steamed vegetables. Continue island-hopping to hidden coves and uninhabited islets, where you can beachcomb for sea shells and rare sea glass. Climb a rocky promontory for sweeping views of endless blue seas dotted with islet silhouettes.

Return to Magong harbor as the sun dips below the horizon in a blaze of crimson. Indulge in a charcoal-grilled seafood barbecue at a beachside shack, letting the smoky aromas mingle with the salty air. Drift off to the sound of gentle waves against the shore.

Venture to Tongliang Village, where fishermen haul in nets of silvery mackerel at dawn. Join a local family to learn net-mending techniques passed down through generations. Enjoy a rustic breakfast of steamed buns, soft boiled eggs, and ocean-fresh kelp broth overlooking the harbor.

Follow villagers along narrow lanes to salt fields that shimmer like mirrors under the sun. Participate in hand-harvesting coarse sea salt, then learn how it’s sun-dried for local export. Savor a picnic of salted-egg rice patties and fresh fruit in a thatched pavilion by the shoreline.

Witness an impromptu fish lantern parade as villagers light handcrafted lanterns shaped like tuna and squid. Relish a communal dinner under strings of festoon lights, sampling spicy fish stew and braised pork rice. Share stories with friendly locals while traditional folk songs drift through the night air.

Start your day with soy milk and deep-fried dough sticks at a bustling morning stall frequented by shopkeepers. Bite into a warm scallion pancake stuffed with local chives and drizzled with chili soy sauce. Watch as vendors expertly flip pancakes on oversized griddles.

Take a culinary walking tour of Magong Old Street, stopping at carts selling peanut brittle, sweet potato balls, and savory taro cakes. Watch a vivacious tea ceremony demonstration, inhaling the floral aroma of locally brewed jasmine tea. Pop into a noodle factory to see freshly made ribbon noodles being hand-pulled and tossed in ice water.

Return to the night market at dusk to navigate rows of neon-lit food stalls and games. Sample grilled stinky tofu, oyster mee sua, and minced pork rice served in sizzling clay pots. End with a frosty cup of mango shaved ice as street musicians serenade the crowd.

Board a fast boat bound for the Outer Islets—Wang-an, Cimei, and Xianjiao. Feel the wind whip across the deck as you slice through crystalline waters. Disembark at Cimei and climb the iconic Twin-Hearts Stone Weir for romantic blue vistas.

Cycle around Cimei’s seaside roads, pausing at photogenic spots like Sunlight Rock and the Lover’s Bridge. Relish a seafood lunch at a clifftop café that serves pan-fried shrimp in garlic butter. Sail to Xianjiao to explore sea caves shaped over millennia and watch seals basking on hidden ledges.

Return to Magong harbor by twilight and dine at a cozy bistro specializing in island-grown vegetables and fresh catch. Enjoy a fusion tasting menu paired with local craft beers fermented in basalt-lined tanks. Nightcaps under a canopy of stars complete the voyage’s magic.

Visit a Penghu pottery studio housed in a century-old stone building. Try your hand at shaping mini vases and plates on traditional wheels under the guidance of a master artisan. Learn how local basalt powder is mixed into clay to create unique speckled textures.

Head to a bamboo weaving workshop where you’ll craft your own decorative basket or lantern. Discover how bamboo is harvested, split, and woven into intricate patterns that have adorned Penghu homes for centuries. Sip a cold kumquat juice as your creation takes a final soak in lacquer.

Explore a local gallery showcasing paintings of storms, seascapes, and market scenes by island artists. Mingle with creators during an evening reception, enjoying kitschy clay sculptures of squid and sea turtles. End with a reflective moonlit walk along the harbor, art notes fresh in your mind.

Unwind at a beachfront spa offering basalt stone massages and sea salt scrubs. Recline beneath swaying palms as therapists knead tension away with essential oils distilled from local herbs. Refresh with a cooling aloe vera face mask that leaves skin glowing.

Pack a light picnic and return to a favorite beach to soak up the sun one last time. Let the gentle surf lull you into a state of pure relaxation as you read or simply watch clouds drift by. Reward yourself with shaved coconut ice straight from a vendor’s hand.

Collect your luggage and savor a final dinner at an award-winning seafood tavern, toasting your journey with Penghu blanco rum. Take a slow stroll along the harbor, absorbing the night’s lantern glow and echo of waves. Head to the airport or ferry terminal with a treasure trove of memories and souvenirs in hand.