Taiwan Outlying Islands

Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Xiaoliuqiu, Orchid Island and other islands around Taiwan, offering island getaways and wartime heritage.

Taiwan's outlying islands are the island groups around the main island, each with a different character. The Penghu Islands have basalt geology, the Twin-Heart Stone Weir, sea-crossing bridges and the summer Penghu International Fireworks Festival. Xiaoliuqiu is known for snorkeling with sea turtles and its coral reefs. Orchid Island is home to the Tao people, with a unique flying fish season and plank boat culture; it can be reached by plane or boat from Taitung, and is often combined with Green Island off the Hualien–Taitung coast. Kinmen preserves many wartime tunnels and Minnan-style old houses, along with tribute candy and sorghum liquor, and can be reached by boat from Xiamen. Matsu has the “blue tears” phenomenon (Apr–Jun) and Eastern Fujian stone-house villages. Each island requires a plane or ferry, and you would usually allow 2–4 days per island; Penghu and Kinmen can be reached by air from Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung. In winter, the northeast monsoon can lead to canceled ferries, and accommodation is tight during the blue tears and fireworks seasons, so book in advance. Travel methods and festival dates vary greatly between islands, so choose according to the season: go to Matsu for the blue tears in spring, to Penghu for the fireworks and to Xiaoliuqiu for snorkeling in summer, and to Kinmen to explore wartime relics and Minnan-style old houses in autumn.

Destinations

Itineraries