Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.
Penghu
From Wikitravel
Contents
Penghu 澎湖 (also called the Pescadores) is an outlying island located between Taiwan and China and falls under the jurisdiction of Taiwan.
[edit] Regions
[edit] Cities
[edit] Other destinations
[edit] Understand
The Penghu (pronounced "pung hoo") is an archipelago, not a single island. A very beautiful and enjoyable weekend getaway, the sea around Penghu is a saturated turqoise and the sand coral (so pack beach footwear).
Very few people, hoteliers included, speak any English, so be prepared to exercise your Mandarin, and do your research before you get there!
[edit] Talk
[edit] Get in
It is now possible to fly to Magong Airport, Penghu from at least 5 domestic Taiwanese airports: Songshan(Taipei); Taichung; Jiayi; Tainan; and Kaohsiung. Tickets may be bought from the following webpage: http://www.uniair.com.tw/uniairec/index1.aspx however you will need someone who can read Chinese to help you and a credit card. Transasia also has regular flights.
Some international flights are expected to commence in the next few years after the opening of the first Casino.
During the summer months you can also take the ferry from Kaoshiung (3.5h) and Putai (90min).
A taxi ride from the airport to the city of Magong will cost exactly $300NT (Taiwanese Dollars). However, if you are able to telephone and book a taxi the cost drops down to exactly $200NT (Taiwanese Dollars). It is worthwhile asking a friend who can speak Chinese to telephone ahead for a taxi to meet you at the airport. Some taxi numbers: 0911192121; 0937309889; 0937309699; 0937713723; 0931873045. Note: Taxi drivers do not speak English. Also, taxis do not use metres in Penghu, (even if you can see one!) so make sure to ask the cost to your destination before you set off.
[edit] Get around
Only foreigners who hold current Taiwanese drivers' licenses may rent vehicles and the airport is a few miles from the city, so you might need to cab around. Though some scooter rental shops may be lenient if you ask nicely.
[edit][add listing] See
In the main city, Makung, major sights include the Tianhou Temple, where sailors and fishermen have prayed to the sea goddess Matsu for safe seafaring for centuries. Nearby is the 400-year-old Four Eyes Well, a single well with four holes so it can be used by many people at once. It's on a picturesque old street that has been tastefully restored to its former glory.
[edit] Itineraries
[edit][add listing] Do
A bicycle ride from Magong's Rainbow Bridge along the bicycle path beside the seashore is highly recommended. From here you get excellent views across the water to Xiyu Island.
Tourists can take a walk along Shan-shiu or Ai-men beach, (each just a $200NT (Taiwanese Dollar) taxi ride away) but most like to take a boat ride to see some of the many other islands.
Ji-bei Island, an island that is a short boat trip to the north has the best beaches.
A boat trip to Seven Beauty Island,(in Chinese it is called Qi-mei although it is more often Romanised as Ci-mei or Chi-mei),an island to the south, is highly recommended. The boat trip from the Magong harbourside tourist centre takes about 90 minutes and you get to see several other islands along the way. Qi-mei Island is a great place to stay in a B & B for one night. The island is small but hilly with cliffs falling into the sea on the southern side. Goats may be seen grazing across the island and another interesting feature is the dry stone and/or coral fences. The best way to travel around is on bikes and this should come as part of the B & B package. However, you will need a Taiwanese licence. Perhaps best to travel with some Taiwanese friends as no one speaks English here.
[edit][add listing] Eat
For cheap Western fastfood there is McDonalds and McCafe downtown.
[edit][add listing] Drink
There are a few bars scattered around Makung mostly near the center of town by.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
Book ahead because hotels in Penghu can fill up fast. Hotels offer significant discounts in the off-season (winter and early spring).
- Love Penghu Homestay, [1]. A nice guesthouse located close to one of the nicest beaches on the Island. The staff is extremely friendly and spoke English. They are able to pick you up from the airport or from the dock if needed. If you do not speak Chinese they were more then willing to help rent a scooter or set us up with snorkeling or surfing lessons. One night should be around 1300$TWD. edit
[edit] Stay safe
Typhoons are common in this part of the world during the summer months so remember to keep an eye on weather forecasts as flights may be delayed or cancelled when there is a typhoon.
In winter, Penghu is also well known for very strong winds.
[edit] Get out
| This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow! |
