Penghu Islands

Address: Penghu County (Pescadores Archipelago), Taiwan

Website: https://www.penghu-nsa.gov.tw/

Penghu, also known as the Pescadores, is an archipelago of roughly 90 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait governed as Penghu County. The islands are composed largely of volcanic and basalt formations and feature extensive coastal cliffs, sea-eroded columns and sandy beaches.

Visitors come for beach recreation, coastal hiking, seafood cuisine and traditional fishing villages; diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding are popular where conditions permit. The main population and transport hub is Magong, which handles ferries and flights to the main island of Taiwan.

Historically the islands have been a maritime crossroads and were controlled at various times by regional powers; today they form a county with local government centred on Magong and several protected coastal and marine areas.

Penghu lies in the central Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and mainland China and is reached by ferry or short domestic flights from Taiwan’s main cities.

• Island count: Comprises about 90 islands and islets scattered across the Taiwan Strait, governed as Penghu County.
• Natural features: Known for basalt column coastlines, strong seasonal winds and clear sea conditions that support wind and water sports.

What to See#

• Magong: Magong City - the administrative centre and main ferry/airport gateway to the archipelago, with historical temples and a waterfront promenade.
• Penghu Great Bridge: Penghu Great Bridge - a long bridge connecting several islands, notable for its engineering and coastal views.

• Fly into Magong (Penghu) Airport or take the Kaohsiung-Penghu ferry depending on season-the airport gives faster, more weather‑resilient access to the archipelago.
• Visit in summer for beach and boat activities when services to outlying islets run more frequently; off‑season is windier and some island services are reduced or suspended.
• Base yourself in Magong town to access day trips to outer islets (like Qimei with the Double-Heart Stone Weir) and to catch ferries or local boats to geological sites and smaller villages that many day‑trippers miss.