Penghu Cycling Travel Guide: Island Flat-Road Riding and Fishing Village Culture

Penghu County is made up of 90 islands of various sizes, with the main islands being the main island (Magong), Baisha Island, and Xiyu (Yuweng Island), all connected by the跨海大橋 (Cross-Sea Bridge). The overall terrain is flat, with the highest point not exceeding 80 meters and an average gradient of nearly zero, making it the most suitable outlying-island destination in Taiwan for leisure cycling.

Penghu’s appeal lies not in challenge, but in “slowness.” Cycling in Penghu, you have ample time to admire the basalt coastline, watch fishing boats enter the harbor, smell the saltiness of the sea breeze, and experience the slow pace of life on an outlying island.

Basic Information

Main Island-Circumnavigation Routes

Route 1: Magong→Baisha→Xiyu Loop (approx. 85km)

This is Penghu’s most classic one-day loop. Starting from Magong City, you cross the跨海大橋 (Cross-Sea Bridge) to reach Baisha Island, continue over the bridge to Xiyu, loop back to Baisha, and finally return to Magong along the western side of the main island.

Route Highlights:

• Baisha Island Kuibi Mountain: At low tide, you can walk the Moses Dividing Sea trail; the intertidal zone is rich in ecology
• Xiyu Yuweng Island Lighthouse: Taiwan’s oldest lighthouse (built in 1778)
• Erkan Settlement: A well-preserved traditional Minnan stone-house settlement, now a Penghu cultural attraction
• Tongliang Banyan Tree: An ancient banyan tree over 300 years old, with a vast canopy coverage

Difficulty: Easy (minimal climbing)
Time Required: 6–8 hours

Route 2: Magong City One-Day Tour (approx. 30–40km)

Suitable for the first day upon arrival, when you need to adjust your energy levels.

• Tianhou Temple→Central Old Street→First Fishing Harbor→Guanyinting Water Park→Shuncheng Gate
• Short distance, with plenty of opportunities to stop for seafood or browse cultural markets

Route 3: South Sea (Wangan, Qimei) Inter-Island Cycling

Inter-island travel in Penghu’s South Sea requires a high-speed ferry. Suggested itinerary:

Wangan Island (approx. 4.5 square kilometers):

• Rent a scooter or bicycle to circle the island, about 1.5 hours
• Huazhai Settlement (horseshoe-shaped village, a potential World Heritage site in Taiwan)
• Wangan Beach—one of Taiwan’s cleanest beaches

Qimei Island (approx. 6.8 square kilometers):

• Twin-Heart Stone Weir (Penghu’s most famous photo spot)
• Observe the most pristine sea-erosion landforms in southern Taiwan

Basalt Landscapes: A Geology Lesson While Cycling

Penghu’s basalt formations are columnar jointing terrain formed after volcanic eruptions 16 million years ago, making it one of the world’s largest basalt island groups. Cycling along the coastline, you’ll encounter different forms of basalt coast at almost every interval:

• Tongpan Islet Basalt: The most regular hexagonal columns, known as the “Oriental Basalt Colonnade”
• Hujing Islet: A combination of shipwreck culture and basalt cliffs
• Xiaomen Islet Whale Cave: A natural arch formed by sea erosion

Penghu Food Culture: Must-Eats After Cycling

Cycling Precautions

Sea Breeze

Penghu’s biggest cycling challenge is not the gradient, but the wind. In summer, the southeast wind is weaker and riding is comfortable; but in autumn and winter, the northeast monsoon is strong, even reaching levels 9–11. Cycling in this season requires mental preparation, as you may only manage 10km/h on headwind sections.

UV Radiation

Penghu has intense sunlight, and sun protection is non-negotiable. It is recommended to wear full-arm sleeves and cycling shorts, and reapply sunscreen every 2 hours.

Road Quality

Some of Penghu’s rural paths have poor road quality, with more gravel and potholes. It is recommended to use a road bike with 25–28C wide tires or a touring bike, avoiding narrow tires below 25C.

Best Time to Travel

Conclusion

Penghu is one of Taiwan’s rare cycling destinations where “you don’t need to climb.” Its beauty lies in the orange glow of sunlight on basalt, the silence of the distant horizon as you ride past stone weirs, and the sweetness tinged with sea breeze saltiness when you take a bite of cactus ice.

If you need a cycling trip that doesn’t require your legs to burn, Penghu is your perfect answer.

Related Reading

• Penghu Cycling Island Tour: Outlying-Island Riding Features of the Cross-Sea Bridge and Fishing Village Routes
• Penghu Bicycle Travel: Outlying-Island Charm and Routes Across Townships
• Penghu Archipelago Bicycle Travel: The Special Experience of Outlying-Island Charm and Ocean Scenery
• Penghu Archipelago Cycling Island Tour: Complete 3-Day, 2-Night Penghu Cycling Travel Plan