Traditional architecture in Kinmen, Taiwan

©Sean Hsu/Shutterstock

Taiwan Strait Islands

The very existence of Taiwan’s outlying islands comes as a surprise to many foreign visitors, although the three main archipelagos are rapidly growing as domestic tourist destinations. Attractions include traditional villages, beaches, birdwatching, marine life and, in Kinmen and Matsu, a plethora of intriguing ex-military sights. Both Kinmen and Matsu lie far closer to mainland China than they do to Taiwan itself, and for decades – until relations thawed between Taipei and Beijing – both island groups were effectively strings of defensive strongholds. Ironically, despite suffering years of bombardment, much traditional domestic architecture survived as the non-military economy was stagnant and many Fujianese-style houses were simply left while their owners sought safety elsewhere.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Penghu Aquarium

    Penghu Aquarium

    Penghu Islands

    This large, family-friendly experience is home to an engrossing collection of living sea life, from a rescued three-legged turtle and magical family of…

  • Twin Hearts Stone Weir

    Twin Hearts Stone Weir

    Penghu Islands

    Penghu's most photographed icon is a double hoop of stone walls linked to breakwaters in an ocean bay. Built with narrow openings, they were designed to…

  • Jibei Sand Tail

    Jibei Sand Tail

    Penghu Islands

    Those desert island paradise photos you probably saw on Penghu's promotion brochures and websites were most likely taken at Jibei Sand Tail, a dazzling…

  • Huazhai Traditional Dwellings

    Huazhai Traditional Dwellings

    Penghu Islands

    In the west coast fishing village of Zhongshe, over 130 small, traditional houses survive, most tightly packed in two photogenic huddles. Made of local…

  • Tianhou Temple

    Tianhou Temple

    Penghu Islands

    This celebrated 17th-century Matsu temple sports high, sweeping swallowtail eaves and a wealth of gorgeous Chaozhou-style woodcarvings, mostly from a 1922…

  • Central Street

    Central Street

    Penghu Islands

    Magong's cute if minuscule historic heart is a forked alley of old-style shops directly east of the Tianhou (Matsu) Temple.

  • Penghu Living Museum

    Penghu Living Museum

    Penghu Islands

    This large modern museum offers an excellent introduction to Penghu's history, culture and changing lifestyles. Memorable features include the explanation…

  • Suogang Pagodas

    Suogang Pagodas

    Penghu Islands

    The little town of Suogang is dominated by the extraordinary Ziwugong, a gigantic temple topped by a three-storey statue of the Jade Emperor (玉皇太帝; Yù…

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Go Beyond

Taiwan Strait Islands and beyond

Beyond Taiwan Strait Islands
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