Penghu Island-Hopping Cycling: Riding from the Main Island to Jibei and the Cross-Sea Bridge

Cycling Among Basalt and Strong Winds

Penghu is made up of more than 90 islands of varying sizes. Cycling is mainly concentrated on the main island (Magong—Huxi—Baisha—Xiyu), with a full loop around the island covering about 60 km. The terrain is flat, but there is almost no shelter along the entire route, and wind is the biggest variable. Its appeal lies in the basalt coastline, the Twin-Heart Stone Weir, and the famous跨海大橋 (Penghu Trans-Island Bridge).

Route Planning

The Wind on the Trans-Island Bridge

The Penghu Trans-Island Bridge is about 2,494 meters long, connecting Baisha Township and Xiyu Township. The bridge deck has no shelter at all. During the northeast monsoon season (October to March of the following year), instantaneous gusts can reach Force 9 or above, making riding highly risky. On strong-wind days, it is recommended to dismount and walk, or reschedule.

Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise: Let the Wind Help You

The smartest strategy for cycling around Penghu is not to follow the order of scenic spots, but to decide the direction based on the wind. Penghu’s prevailing winds are mainly northeasterly (winter half-year) and southwesterly (summer half-year). The principle is “headwind on the way out, tailwind on the way back”—save the toughest headwind for the first half when your energy is best, and let the tailwind ease you home on the return leg:

• Winter half-year (northeast monsoon): It is recommended to start from Magong heading northeast (toward Huxi) into the wind, loop around Baisha, cross the Trans-Island Bridge to Xiyu, and the return leg will mostly be with the wind.
• Summer half-year (southwest wind): Reverse the direction—push southwest first, then ride home with the southwest wind.

The Trans-Island Bridge is the riskiest 5 km of the entire route. Be sure to avoid crossing during periods with instantaneous gusts of Force 9 or above. It is better to rest an extra half hour under the Tongliang Banyan Tree and wait for the wind to ease.

Choosing the Season

From April to June and September to October, winds are gentler and the climate is stable—these are the golden riding periods. The northeast monsoon is strong in winter, so long-distance riding is not recommended. In summer, UV radiation is extremely intense, so sun protection is essential throughout the ride.

Inter-Island Transfers

Smaller islands such as Jibei and Xianjiao require a ferry from Chikan Pier. Most ferry services can accommodate folding bikes or charge an additional bicycle transport fee. Confirm with the ferry company before departure.

Basalt and the Twin-Heart Stone Weir: A Crash Course in Penghu’s Unique Landscapes

If you only chase mileage on a Penghu loop, you will miss its true value. Penghu is an archipelago formed by cooling volcanic lava, and its columnar basalt joints are textbook-grade examples in global geology. Two must-stops along the route: the Daye Gui columnar basalt in Xiyu, where an entire face of hexagonal stone columns resembles a pipe organ—the most awe-inspiring geological site on the route—and the Twin-Heart Stone Weir on Qimei (accessible only by ferry), a heart-shaped fish trap built by early settlers from stones in the intertidal zone, now an iconic Penghu landmark. Treat these spots as “reasons to stop” while riding, and time your visits around low tide for the best views. Check the tide tables before departure and schedule the stone weir and intertidal-zone sights around the low-tide window.

Supplies

Magong’s urban area has the most complete supply options. Shops are scarce around Xiyu, so be sure to top up on water and food before setting out. The outlying islands have almost no shelter, and summer UV is extremely intense—reapply sunscreen every 1.5 to 2 hours.

Cycling in Penghu, you learn to negotiate with the wind. It never stops, and neither can you, so you lower your head and find an angle to coexist with it—this is the humility the outlying islands teach every traveler.

Related Reading

• Penghu Cycling Loop: Island Riding Features on the Trans-Island Bridge and Fishing Village Route
• Penghu Cycling Travel Guide: Flat Island Riding and Fishing Village Culture
• The Complete Guide to Cycling Around Penghu: Route Planning and Seasonal Choices for an Island Bike Loop
• Penghu Cycling Loop: The Romantic Sea Experience of Island-Hopping by Bike