Fall in love with the stunning beauty of Da Wu Island (Big “Wu” Island)! He became the sole resident of this uninhabited island.

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Matsu

forWhy come to live on an uninhabited island? The owner, Hu Jinjiang, says: “Because the scenery here is so beautiful!”


▲ Da Wu Island is an island within an island, home to the sole resident who fell in love with its enchanting views and decided to move to this uninhabited place. (Photo / Reported by Chen Tzu-yin)

“Don’t you think this place is beautiful? You can enjoy 360-degree views of Beigan Island, Shiyu, Liangdao, and Gaodeng, and there’s no light pollution at night—how gorgeous!” Falling in love with the beauty of Da Wu Island was Hu Jinjiang’s sole reason for moving from northern Taiwan to this uninhabited island.A fishing enthusiast, he discovered Da Wu Island about six years ago and began planning to relocate and start a homestay life there. But moving to an island that had been uninhabited for decades was no easy feat. Most of the remaining traditional Minnan-style houses on the island had become ruins. Hu Jinjiang rented five relatively intact ancient houses, renovated and restored them into livable guest accommodations, even crafting the living room furniture by hand himself. Coupled with his self-researched and trial-bred free-range “Centipede Chickens,” as well as the hundred or so sika deer native to the island, the “Da Wu Eco Park” officially opened.




 

It’s hard to imagine the difficulties and challenges one would face when moving alone to an uninhabited island and opening the only homestay there—but Hu Jinjiang speaks about it lightly, as if he were always meant to live on this secluded island. He said, “Starting anything is tough, but the people of Matsu aren’t xenophobic. When I first moved here, the locals were very helpful.” The homestay is now open, but the biggest issue remains transportation. Most travelers still find the idea of staying overnight on an uninhabited island a bit hard to accept.Even so, Hu Jinjiang remains committed to what he does. Living alone here, he doesn’t forget to keep the environment clean and well-maintained.He also hopes to introduce the beauty of Da Wu to visitors, because for him, Da Wu is incredibly captivating—even going so far as to name each of the island’s sika deer.

Waking up at 5:30 every morning, life on Da Wu Island keeps him quite busy. He might head up the mountain to gather herbs, or if guests have ordered meals, he goes to the shore for shore fishing—you can try local Matsu specialties like sea snails and whelks here. Hu Jinjiang also has his proudest secret weapon—the “Centipede Chicken.” He says, “Raising local chickens is perfect here because there are no predators, and the free-range chickens that peck at centipedes and earthworms guarantee tender, springy meat.” These unique Centipede Chickens, which he spent two years researching and breeding in Linkou, Taiwan, are indeed delicious and irresistible.

 
▲ The “Centipede Chicken” is Hu Jinjiang’s pride and joy. Even if you’re not staying on the island, you can order one to enjoy a chicken you can’t get in Taiwan. (Photo / Reported by Chen Tzu-yin)

 
 
▲ The seascape and mountain forests of Da Wu Island are more stunning than most travelers imagine. (Photo / Reported by Chen Tzu-yin)

Hu Jinjiang also said that Da Wu has little light pollution, and during certain seasons, you can see “blue tears” (bioluminescent plankton) to your heart’s content every night. During peak season, passenger ferries run daily to Da Wu Island. Though there are no fixed schedules in the off-season, you can still charter a boat to get there. If you want to see the rehabilitated herd of sika deer up close, taste the one-of-a-kind Centipede Chicken, or hear the stories of Boss Hu, consider a trip to Da Wu when you visit Matsu—it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Da Wu Island Eco Park
Phone: 0927─189─032, 0836─55518