Penghu Cycling Around the Island: A Romantic Sea Experience of Island-Hopping Rides

Penghu Cycling Tour: A Romantic Sea Experience of Island-Hopping by Bike

Penghu, a scattering of pearl islands in the Taiwan Strait, offers Taiwan’s most unique cycling experience. Riding across the跨海大橋 (Cross-Sea Bridge), skimming past basalt coastlines, and weaving through old coral-stone houses, every turn brings a different surprise.

The Charm of Cycling in Penghu

• Cross-Sea Bridge Experience: The thrill of cycling across the open sea
• Unique Geological Landscapes: Columnar basalt, weathered terrain
• Sections Without Traffic Lights: Some outlying islands have almost no traffic signals
• Marine Culture Experience: Fishing villages, stone tidal weirs, intertidal zones
• Rich Local Cuisine: Seafood, cactus ice, brown sugar cake

How to Get There and Rent a Bike

Transportation Options

Bicycle Rental

• Magong City: Multiple bike rental shops; road bikes cost about NT$500-1,000 per day
• YouBike: Stations available in Magong City
• Bring Your Own: Airlines usually offer free checked transport

Route 1: Classic Main Island Loop

Total Distance: Approximately 55 km
Estimated Time: 5-7 hours (including sightseeing)
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

Detailed Route

Start from Magong → Clockwise Loop

1. Magong City (Starting Point)

   • Tianhou Temple (Taiwan’s oldest Mazu temple)
   • Central Old Street (Baroque-style architecture)

2. Magong → County Highway 202 → Aimen Beach (8km)

   • Aimen Beach: Fine golden sand
   • Lintou Park: A rest stop under the windbreak forest

3. Aimen → Longmen → Kuibishan (10km)

   • Kuibishan “Moses Crossing”: Walk to Chiyu Island at low tide
   • Note: Must coordinate with tide times

4. Kuibishan → Huxi → North Loop (12km)

   • Xujia Village (the most beautiful cluster of old houses)
   • Beiliao Kuibishan Geopark

5. North Loop → Tongliang → Cross-Sea Bridge (10km)

   • Tongliang Old Banyan Tree: A 300-year-old banyan
   • Cross-Sea Bridge: 2,494 meters in total length

6. Xiyu → Magong (15km)

   • Return to Magong City

Route 2: North Loop + Xiyu In-Depth Route

Total Distance: Approximately 45 km
Estimated Time: 5-6 hours
Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆

This route focuses on Penghu’s most scenic North Loop and Xiyu areas:

Key Attractions

• Cross-Sea Bridge: Penghu’s landmark; the thrill of cycling across it is unparalleled
• Daguoye Columnar Basalt: A spectacular geological wonder
• Erkan Old Settlement: A well-preserved Southern Fujian (Minan) settlement
• Xitai Old Fort: A national historic site; a Qing-dynasty coastal defense fort
• Wai’an Fishing Harbor: Known as Penghu’s Santorini
• Yuwengdao Lighthouse: Taiwan’s oldest Western-style lighthouse

Route 3: South Loop Marine Route

Total Distance: Approximately 30 km
Estimated Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆

A shorter route, suitable for a half-day trip:

• Shanshui Beach: One of Penghu’s most beautiful beaches
• Fenggui Cave: A natural wonder of sea-eroded caves
• Shetou Mountain: The earliest landing site of the Dutch
• Shili Beach: Ideal for watching the sunset

Island-Hopping: Jibei Island

Jibei Island is Penghu’s most popular outlying island and can be arranged as a one-day island-hopping trip:

• Transportation: About a 20-minute ferry ride from Chikan Pier
• Island Loop Distance: Approximately 12 km
• Highlight: The sand spit extends 800 meters into the sea
• Recommendation: Rent a bike to circle the island, then enjoy water activities in the afternoon

Seasonal Recommendations for Cycling in Penghu

Best Months for Cycling: Late April to early June, when the weather is mild and tourist numbers have not yet peaked.

The Challenge of Wind

The biggest cycling challenge in Penghu is the wind. Winter northeast monsoons can reach force 7-8, and even in summer, winds of force 3-4 are common.

Coping Strategies:

• Set off in the morning; winds typically strengthen in the afternoon
• When planning routes, head into the wind on the way out and ride with the wind on the way back
• If the wind is too strong, decisively call it off—safety comes first
• Bring a windbreaker; the sea breeze carries salt and has a significant cooling effect

Food Supply Map

Accommodation Recommendations

• Magong City: Many hotel and B&B options, NT$1,200-3,000
• Xiyu: Sea-view B&Bs for a more tranquil experience
• Special Recommendation: Stay in a B&B converted from a traditional Penghu old house

Suggested 3-Day Cycling Itinerary

Conclusion

Cycling in Penghu is a unique island-riding experience. Here, you can ride across the sea, pass through century-old settlements, and follow the basalt coastline while feeling the salty sea breeze and the warmth of the sun. This is not just a ride—it is a conversation with the ocean.

Related Reading

• Penghu Cycling Tour: The Unique Island Riding Experience of the Cross-Sea Bridge and Fishing Village Routes
• Penghu Islands Cycling Trip: A Special Experience of Island Charm and Ocean Scenery
• Penghu Cycling Travel Guide: Flat Island Riding and Fishing Village Culture
• Penghu Islands Cycling Loop: A Complete 3-Day, 2-Night Penghu Cycling Travel Plan