Xiao Liuqiu Island

Xiao Liuqiu Island

Xiao Liuqiu is located south of the Kaoping River estuary, about 15 kilometers southwest of Donggang Harbor. It is the only coral reef island among the 14 affiliated islands near Taiwan Province and belongs to Liuqiu Township in Pingtung County. The entire island is wider in the north and narrower in the south, with a circumference of 12 kilometers and an area of approximately 6.8 square kilometers. Its terrain slopes gently toward the northeast, and its coastline features coral reef rock formations shaped by seawater erosion, with numerous cliffs in the south, some sandy beaches along the western coast, and a surface covered in coral reef limestone. It is currently part of the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area. There are only seven coral reef islands in the world that exceed 6 square kilometers in size. Xiao Liuqiu Island is entirely composed of coral reefs, which grow extremely slowly. The fact that it has coalesced into a sizable landmass allowing visitors to explore by vehicle is truly quite remarkable.

Xiao Liuqiu has not been overly industrialized and boasts abundant ecological resources. From the precious green sea turtles to starfish and oysters, all can be found in Xiao Liuqiu’s clear waters and beautiful beaches. It takes just 30 minutes by boat from Donggang Harbor in Pingtung County to reach Xiao Liuqiu, opening the door to a new island life. The island’s sunset scenery was listed as one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Southern Taiwan as early as the Qing Dynasty. Its beauty is connected along the island’s circumferential roads. Geographically divided, the North Route includes Flower Vase Rock, Lingshan Temple, Beauty Cave, Mountain Boar Gully, and Ghost Cave, featuring mostly coral reef terrain, cliffs, and silver oak landscapes. The South Route features attractions such as Xiao Liuqiu Underwater Zoo, Fairy Maiden Platform, and Lobster Cave, characterized mainly by gravel, sandy beaches, and sisal plants. In addition, inland roads are lined primarily with temples, including Sanlong Temple and Biyun Temple, which are worth visiting. The island’s Sanlong Temple, commonly known as the King’s Temple, enshrines the Three Lords—Zhu, Chi, and Wu—and is also referred to as the Three Lords’ Temple. In the early years of the Qianlong reign during the Qing Dynasty, a man named Chen Mingshan from Fuzhou, Fujian, brought the enshrined Three Lords and safely arrived at Xiao Liuqiu on a small boat, where he built a thatched temple—this marked the beginning of Sanlong Temple. The triennial King-Welcoming Festival centered around Sanlong Temple is the biggest local event. During this time, former residents who have moved away return with their families. Men of all social classes serve as palanquin bearers, while women prepare snacks for the bearers and worshippers. Refreshments are available freely along the route. The parade also includes mock trials and deities being conferred titles, all of which are unique highlights of the local King-Welcoming Festival.

Lingshan Temple is situated on the northern cliffs of Xiao Liuqiu. When arriving by passenger ferry, you can see Lingshan Temple, which consists of three interconnected halls. The temple was funded and built by gentry such as Chen Nai, with strong support from the Taiwan Provincial Garrison Command’s Liuqiu Vocational Training Third Brigade and the Navy Practice Team. Construction began in the 46th year of the Republic of China (1957) and took three years to complete. The temple enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha, Goddess Linshui Lady Chen Jinggu, and the Five Lords in the front hall.

Located in the southwestern part of Xiao Liuqiu, Ghost Cave is the island’s most famous attraction. Legend has it that after Koxinga drove out the Dutch and reclaimed Taiwan, a few black slaves left behind by the Dutch hid in the cave. A few years later, when a British boat landed to sightsee, the slaves seized the opportunity to rob the boat, set it on fire, and killed all the British soldiers. In retaliation, the British force landed to search the area and burned all the slaves to death inside the cave. Thus, the name “Ghost Cave” was passed down. The cave entrance is low and narrow like a crack, requiring visitors to crawl inside. Inside, it is damp, dark, winding, and deep. Over the years, stone beds, stone tables, stone gongs, and stone drums have been discovered within the cave.