This route is the essential route to appreciate the magnificent columnar basalt in Penghu. There are 10 large and small islands in the district; 6 of them are in Baisha Township and the other 4 are in Huxi Township. The lava landscape of each island has its own characteristics, and the columnar joints are well developed and diverse, which make the route become a popular attraction in the eastern sea in recent years.
Recommended RouteFirst of all, visit the nearby Yuanbeiyu, and then head to Jishanyu, Dinggouyu, and Xiaobaishayu for a sea tour (The three islands are basalt reserves, so it is not allowed to enter). Next, go to Quzhuayu, where you can enjoy sea fishing and snorkeling. After a half-day tour, you can check the tide table and return to the south of the island at Guayu, and continue to see the scenery along the way and enjoy the majestic basalt and the large intertidal zone.
Chapo and Chamou Islet are two islands with strange shapes. Olivine basalts are found in both islands, which makes it the favorite island for geologists. The route is fringing reef which is called the marine tropical rainforest. Furthermore, it adds more fun to the exploration of marine resources and ecology in this area.
| Area | Landscape Resources |
|---|---|
| Yuanbeiyu | Columnar basalt joints, sea stacks, volcanic neck weathering of columnar joints, sea cliff, sea groove, marine erosion cave, basalt gravel beach, stone weir |
| Huolong Beach | Coral fragments sandbank, sand beach |
| Niaoyu | Coquina, basalt weathering sea cliff, volcanic breccias, columnar basalt joints, lava flow interbedding, marine erosion cave, columnar jointing sea cliff, intertidal zone, stone weirs, fringing reef |
| South Side Guayu | Waves path, stone weirs, basalt regolith, red tuff |
| Xiaobaishayu | Volcanic necks, sand beach, spit, curd rock beach, rocky beach pot holes, dykes, little craters, olivine basalt, coquina, sea cliff, wave-cut platform |
| Da/Xiao Quzhuayu | Microgabbro, microgabbro gravel beach |
| Jishanyu | Pipe organ shape columnar basalt, columnar jointing cross-section, sea cliff, dykes , marine erosion cave, sea groove, olivine basalt, basalt gravel beach |
| Dinggouyu | Sea stacks, tilted basalt columnar, olivine basalt, basalt gravel beach, sea groove |
| Chapoyu | Sea stack, olivine basalt, sea cliff |
| Chamou Islet | Sea groove, columnar basalt jointing, olivine basalt |
This area only Niaoyu and Yuanbeiyu have regular shuttle boats, other scenic spots require yacht or boat renting to get to. Normally tourists get on the boat at Baisha Qitou Port.
Shuttle boat timetable
| Eastern Sea Line | Time | Single Trip | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qitou Port ←→ Yuanbei Port |
Monday-Sunday Yuanbei Departure:06:30/14:00 Qitou Departure:11:00/17:00 |
70 | Aibei Boat telephone number：06-993-2745 |
| Qitou Port ←→ Niaoyu Port |
Niaoyu Departure:07:00 Qitou Departure:11:30 |
70 | Jihong Boat telephone number：06-991-6156 Yuexing Boat telephone number：06-991-6226 |
| Niaoyu Departure:14:00 Qitou Departure:17:00 |
70 | Aiguo Boat telephone number：06-991-6066 |
Information for reference purposes only. For tickets price, the Baisha Township announcements shall prevail or please contact tourist centers. Qitou Tourist Center Tel: 06-9931527