Liuqiu Island Island

Address: Xiaoliuqiu (Liuqiu) Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Website: https://liuqiu.pthg.gov.tw/

Hours: Island attractions are largely outdoors and accessible daily; ferry schedules vary seasonally

Admission: Ferry round-trip ≈ NT$200-350 (approx. US$6-12); island attractions are otherwise free

Liuqiu Island (commonly Xiaoliuqiu) is a small coral island off Taiwan’s southwest coast in Pingtung County, administered as a township and known for its reef, beaches and coastal karst features. The island is a noted local destination for snorkeling, diving and coastal sightseeing.

Visitors are drawn to the island’s coral reefs and frequent sea turtle sightings, small beaches and distinctive coastal rock formations such as Vase Rock, plus karst caves and coastal cliffs like the Beauty Cave area. The island is compact and most sites are reachable on foot, by bicycle or short vehicle rides from the main harbour.

The island is served by regular ferries from the mainland port of Donggang and functions as a popular day-trip and weekend destination for residents and tourists in southern Taiwan. It combines marine recreation with small-scale local tourism infrastructure.

Liuqiu sits off the southwest coast of Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait, within Pingtung County; the island’s settlement and ferry terminal concentrate on the sheltered harbour area.

• Ferry access from Donggang: Regular ferry services run from Donggang in Pingtung County to the island, which is a short boat ride from Taiwan’s southwest coast and popular for day trips.
• Coral reefs and sea turtles: The island’s surrounding waters are coral-rich and used for snorkeling and freediving; sea turtles are commonly sighted in nearshore reef areas.

What to See#

• Beauty Cave and coastal cliffs: Beauty Cave and coastal cliffs with karst features and sea caves that are a local scenic highlight and part of a small park complex on the island.
• Vase Rock and coastal formations: Vase Rock and nearby coastal rock formations that are popular photographic subjects and local landmarks near the main settlement and beaches.
• Harbour and ferry access: Small harbour and ferry terminal serving regular passenger ferries to the Pingtung County mainland port of Donggang, providing the island’s main access.

Ferries depart regularly from Donggang Harbor in Pingtung County; the crossing typically takes 20-30 minutes depending on the vessel and sea conditions. Several operators run multiple daily sailings in high season - check timetables in advance. Donggang is reachable by bus or car from Kaohsiung (around 1-1.5 hours). Boat transfers are weather-dependent; in rough seas local operators may cancel.

• Take the morning ferry from Donggang (Pingtung) to avoid rougher seas in the afternoon and to have more time on the island.
• Rent a bicycle or scooter in the harbour village - the roads are short and the island is very scooter-friendly.
• Snorkel sites like Vase Rock and the coral gardens are fragile; use a reef-safe sunscreen and avoid standing on coral.