Introducing Penghu

Penghu (澎湖; Pénghú), also known as the Pescadores, is famous for its beautiful beaches, glorious temples and a plethora of traditional Chinese-style homes surrounded by walls made from coral. Penghu is famous for another thing as well: though the weather in the summer is hot and beautiful, in winter and spring the archipelago is quite possibly the windiest place in the northern hemisphere. Wind not a tourist draw, you say? Tell that to the droves of windsurfers who consider Penghu a sporting mecca and the Canary Islands of the Orient.

A flat, dry place covered mostly with low bush and grasslands, Penghu is quite a change from the mountainous subtropical environment on Taiwan proper. Geologically it is also significantly different, being formed from the solidified lava of volcanic eruptions some 17 million years ago. If you need evidence of this, just check out the stunning rock formations everywhere, including towering basalt columns and stacks.

Penghu County includes almost 100 islands (only a quarter of which are inhabited) but there's plenty to see and do on the main archipelago, four interconnected islands that collectively form a horseshoe containing the townships of Makung, Huhsi, Paisha and Hsiyu. Ferries run daily during high season between Makung and the two largest outer islands, Chimei and Wang'an, and tours are available to bring you to some of the smaller islands as well. Makung (on Penghu Island) is the only city, and though you can find whatever you need here, by Taiwanese standards Makung is more like a large town.

For more information see http://tour.penghu.gov.tw.