Penghu

Penghu National Scenic Area covers most of the islands and islets of Penghu County in the Taiwan Strait, with about 320 km of shoreline^[1]. The archipelago has more than 90 islands^[2].

The area attracts more than 200 migratory bird species. The North Sea zone has coral reefs, tropical fish, green sea turtles and whales, and Wangan is known for green turtles^[1].

Strong wind keeps vegetation low, and salty soil further limits plant growth, so grass and shrubs dominate^[2].

Penghu is mainly solidified lava from successive eruptions, later shaped by wind, rain and waves. Columnar basalt is its signature feature^[1]. Most islands are basalt and the flat terrain is a lava plateau; Hua Island in the west is andesite^[2].

The northeast monsoon dominates: strong wind blows about a third of the year, especially October to March. Annual rainfall is about 1,000 mm, far less than on Taiwan's main island^[2]. The islands are quiet from October until April, and tourism peaks June through August^[1].

Lasting Han Chinese settlement dates from around the late Tang and early Song. Penghu was under Yuan administration from 1281, Dutch occupation in 1622-1624, Qing administration from 1727 and Japanese rule from 1895^[2]. Traditional fishing stone weirs are a lasting feature, with 558 counted across Penghu^[1].

A preparatory office opened in February 1991, and the Penghu National Scenic Area was formally established in July 1995^[2]. It is run by the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, with headquarters in Magong^[2].

Attractions include the Double-Heart stone weir on Cimei, Tongpan islet with its basalt columns, Fenggui Cave, Mudou Lighthouse (built in 1921), and the 4.6 km low-tide shallow path at Yuanbei islet. The Zhongshe Historical House has coral-built traditional houses^[1].

The area is divided into three recreation zones: North Sea, Magong and South Sea. The tourist season starts in April and peaks June through August^[1].

The Penghu Columnar Basalt Nature Reserve was listed as a potential World Heritage Site in 2002^[1]. Tourism development proposals, such as a large hotel on Jibei Island in 2003, drew opposition from environmental groups^[1].