Beautiful Taiwan: A Romantic Island Hopping Adventure

Penghu boasts millions-of-years-old basalt formations and unique stone houses built from aged rocks, while Kinmen and Matsu feature wartime tunnels. Green Island and Orchid Island are home to breathtaking sea-eroded caves. The outlying islands surrounding Taiwan are rich in cultural charm and blessed with exceptional natural scenery, making them must-visit travel destinations.

The Penghu archipelago features towering columnar basalt formations, creating an imposing seascape. Sea stacks, sea caves, sea trenches, and wave-cut platforms form a series of stunning marine wonders that make Penghu a world-class destination. In the former military zones of Kinmen and Matsu, various military tunnels can be found everywhere. These underground facilities, hand-dug by stationed soldiers, were primarily designed to “preserve combat strength underground while maximizing firepower above ground.” As for Green Island, millions of years of tectonic movement, uplift, and tidal erosion have resulted in bizarre rock formations along its coastline. Strolling through these areas not only offers views of unique sea-eroded landscapes but also panoramic vistas of the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

The buildings of Matsu follow the architectural style of eastern Fujian, featuring square layouts that resemble seals when viewed from afar. Constructed from granite, these houses retain their timeless charm, giving first-time visitors the feeling of stepping into another country. In Kinmen, century-old Western-style buildings and traditional houses are common, adorned with intricate plaster reliefs, brick carvings, clay sculptures, and wood carvings on ridges, brackets, doors, and windows. The multi-themed three-dimensional designs and vibrant colors turn every corner into a delightful surprise. In Penghu, due to strong winds, houses are relatively low-rise, and building materials are usually sourced locally. Wealthier families would directly quarry hard basalt blocks, while ordinary households transported coral reefs from the intertidal zone to shore using oxcarts. As a result, stone walls made of local stone and alternating basalt-stone constructions became a distinctive architectural feature of Penghu.

Outlying island homestays now offer a taste of the exotic — everything from Mediterranean Greek vibes to North African French flair, all exuding romance. Beyond the foreign styles found in Penghu and Green Island, some century-old Western-style houses and traditional homes in Kinmen and Matsu have been converted into homestays for visitors. These ancient buildings often feature exquisite plaster reliefs, brick carvings, clay sculptures, and wood carvings, as well as bracket sets and doors/windows adorning the ridges — all sure to delight guests.

Orchid Island has the unique underground houses created by the Tao people to withstand strong winds. In Yeyin Village in western Orchid Island, some underground houses are open for overnight stays, though these traditional dwellings are often teeming with insects at night — something most people may find hard to adjust to.