Taiwan’s offshore islands are a few of my favorite components of Taiwan, and I lastly managed to seek out my solution to Penghu 澎湖. Penghu really refers to not a single island, however Taiwan’s largest clusters of islands positioned off its west coast. I visited solo and put collectively a little bit Penghu Islands information for anybody else planning to go to quickly.
This submit covers extra of the Penghu journey planning important like get there, getting round the place to remain. There might be extra posts on issues to do in varied components of Penghu finally, like this Penghu Hidden Gems submit with some various websites to the extra touristy spots.
About my Penghu Islands journey
I travelled to the Penghu Islands in Might 2023 and visited Xiaoliuqiu and the Matsu Islands as nicely. I spent 4 nights in Penghu based mostly in the principle Magong Metropolis and largely travelled round solo on scooter, and took a day journey to the opposite offshore islands Wang’an and Qimei. I flew from Kaohsiung to Magong through Mandarin Airways, and from Magong to Taipei Songshan through Uniair.
The place are the Penghu Islands positioned?
The Penghu Islands are positioned off the west coast of Taiwan the place Chiayi is positioned.
Penghu is made up of many islands, a number of the fundamental ones to notice:
- Magong 馬公 is the principle island which is related by land to Baisha 白沙 and Xiyu 西嶼 to the west and Huxi 湖西 to the proper
- South Islands: Tongpan 桶盤, Hujing 虎井, Wang’an 望安, Qimei 七美
- North Islands: Jibei 吉貝
- East Islands
Not all of the islands are inhabited, and never all will be visited.
Tips on how to get to the Penghu Islands
By Airplane
Flying is the quickest solution to attain the Penghu Islands and there are numerous choices to fly to Penghu from round Taiwan, which is why it’s probably the most visited out of all of the Taiwan offshore islands. Listed here are the airports listed so as of flight time wanted.
Worldwide guests: More than likely you’ll arrive at Taoyuan Worldwide Airport (TPE) the place you will want to take a bus to Taipei Songshan Airport, or take the practice/HSR to hook up with the opposite locations. There are some worldwide flights which will go to Kaohsiung or Taichung in order for you a extra direct route.
Most flights land at Penghu Airport (MZG) 澎湖. A 1-way ticket prices round 1,700-2,300 NTD (S$70-$100) relying on the place you fly from and the time of your flight.
In case you wished to skip the principle Penghu Island (Magong) and fly on to both Wang’an or Qimei within the southern island cluster, you may fly Every day Air from Kaohsiung Airport.
- Kaohsiung (KHH) to Qimei (CMJ) – 2 flights per day, 40 minutes flight.
- Kaohsiung (KHH) to Wang’an (WOT) – 1 flight on Mondays and 1 flight on Fridays, 45 minutes flight.
Airways that fly to Penghu Islands
Some ideas for flying to Penghu Islands
- E-book your flights as early as attainable. The planes to Penghu are typically smaller propeller planes they usually get booked out fairly rapidly. The flights perpetually have a ready listing and through low season, residents get precedence on the wait listing.
- Be ready for delays or cancellations. Penghu Islands can get fairly windy, which impacts boats greater than planes, however it might lead to flight cancellations together with heavy rains. Ensure you have journey insurance coverage and provides your self sufficient buffer if it is advisable catch a connection.
- UNI AIR, Mandarin Airways and Every day Air have a free 10kg checked bag restrict, however don’t fear if you happen to exceed as a result of every extra kilo is at most 16 NTD (S$0.70) per kg (8-14 NTD for Every day Air!), however simply observe that you just’ll must pay this charge on the counter whenever you drop off your bag. In my expertise, UNI AIR was fairly strict about charging this charge even when I used to be simply 1kg over the restrict as a result of the system was automated, however Mandarin Air did issues manually and didn’t trouble charging me.
- You may make bookings and even choose your seat on-line whenever you test in, however give your self a little bit time to select up the ticket on the airport as a result of their system is extra used to coping with Chinese language names, so longer English names the place the surname/identify are somewhere else from Chinese language names means you in all probability can’t use the kiosks to get your ticket. A lot of the counter employees made handwritten amendments to my identify on the ticket after checking my passport, however I didn’t have some other points.
Purchase airplane tickets at UNI AIR’s web site or Mandarin Airline’s web site or every day Air’s web site.
By Ferry
You’ll be able to take the ferry from mainland Taiwan to get to Penghu. A lot of the boats depart from Budai Harbour in Chiayi, however you may additionally be capable of get ferries in Kaohsiung and Tainan. The ferries sail to Magong Nanhai Harbour 馬公南海碼頭 aka the principle island of Penghu.
Taking the ferry to Penghu is a less expensive possibility however does additionally require extra time. Commonplace ferries take about 4 hours journey, although if you happen to get a quick ferry from Chiayi it takes simply 1.5 hours.
The one fundamental problem right here is that Penghu get REALLY windy. Which implies waves can get fairly excessive, so ferries are far more prone to be cancelled than flights. Once I arrived, the ferries had been cancelled for the day so different visitors at my guesthouse solely arrived the next day.
Ferries to Penghu are additionally season dependent – you will have much more choices in summer time, however in winter it looks as if the one ferry leaves from Kaohsiung. Do test earlier than you go, however in accordance with a Penghu resident, she says most individuals don’t even attempt to go to throughout winter simply due to the climate.
I didn’t take the ferry for myself, however I’m placing down the data right here for these of you contemplating taking the ferries.
Take a look at the ferry data at Penghu’s Tourism websites in English (has charges) in addition to Chinese language (extra port choices are listed). You can too get ferry tickets from Klook [affiliate link] and KKday that promote ferry tickets.
Travelling across the Penghu Islands
To get between the varied islands in Penghu, there are a number of choices as nicely.
By Ferry
Ferry is by far the commonest solution to get across the Penghu Islands. A lot of the boats to the southern islands like Qimei, Wang’an, Hujing and Tongpan depart from Magong Nanhai Harbour 馬公南海碼頭.
I took a ship tour from Nanhai Harbour that introduced us to Qimei Island first (2 hours away), after which to Wang’an Island (about an hour away) earlier than heading again to Magong. My tickets had been booked through my guesthouse who wrote me a receipt and directed me to a counter at Nanhai Harbour to test in.
My tour additionally included scooter rental on each Wang’an and Qimei Islands – you will have the choice to take the tour bus as a substitute if you happen to can’t or don’t wish to trip.
By Airplane
Every day Air has a 20 minute flight that goes from Magong to Qimei. This airplane is completely tiny and has simply 4 seats and a 1-way ticket prices about 1,085 NTD (S$47).
Getting across the Penghu Islands
By automotive / scooter
As a solo traveller, I rented a scooter from my lodging and used that to get across the islands. The scooter is my favorite mode of transport round Taiwan’s offshore islands as a result of it’s simple for one individual, parking isn’t a problem and it’s cheaper too.
You’ll want your Worldwide Driver’s Allow (IDP) to lease from authorised scooter rental shops Taiwan, and in my expertise they is perhaps a bit strict about you having the proper licenses as a result of finally they’re liable.
One suggestion is to test in case your lodging does scooter leases – most locations have their very own scooters which they will package deal along with the room, or see if there’s anyway you may rent an electrical scooter as a substitute which doesn’t require a license.
However once more if you happen to’re not assured on using a scooter, don’t do it. Penghu’s roads don’t have that a lot visitors however it may be fairly busy if you happen to’re in the principle Magong metropolis space – I wouldn’t advise you to trip within the city space if you happen to aren’t assured.
For package deal excursions on islands like Wang’an and Qimei, there’s barely any visitors in any respect so try to be positive so long as you keep on the right roads and don’t enterprise off alongside unpaved paths. Observe that you could be get charged a little bit further surcharge for being a single rider, as a result of they calculate it based mostly on 2 pax per bike. I feel it’s dumb however that’s simply how it’s, one thing for solo travellers to notice.
For a extra comfy trip or these in a bigger group, it’s possible you’ll wish to think about driving. Penghu is fairly windy which can be uncomfortable or chilly for using on an uncovered motorcycle.
Public Bus
Penghu’s fundamental island of Magong has a reasonably in depth public bus community which might be the most affordable means for anybody to get round the principle island, although as with these rural bus networks there is perhaps lengthy ready occasions.
Taiwan Haoxing Vacationer Shuttle Bus
Taiwan Tourism has particular Taiwan Haoxing 台灣好行 buses which might be good choices for vacationers who don’t wish to or can’t self drive. Penghu has bus routes to the North (Xiyu) and East (Huxi) to assist vacationers see the sights simply. Excursions take about 5-6 hours and are a superb half-day possibility.
You’ll be able to ebook the Taiwan Tourism buses straight through Penghu Enjoyable Simple or Klook [affiliate link]. I didn’t take the Taiwan Haoxing buses in Penghu however I did take one to discover the Hualien East Coast.
The place to remain within the Penghu Islands
Penghu lodging reserving ideas
I normally ebook lodging by way of reserving.com [affiliate link] due to comfort and I do get reductions as a frequent consumer. As Penghu is pretty massive, there are various Penghu lodging choices on reserving.com so that you can browse, and a superb vary of higher-end accommodations like Discovery Lodge [affiliate link] and 4 Factors by Sheraton Lodge [affiliate link] to cute little guesthouses, homestays and hostels.
One different possibility you may think about is to make use of Google maps to seek out accommodations/guesthouses that you just like, after which contacting these locations through e mail, LINE or telephone if you happen to can converse Chinese language. These guesthouses can normally give you higher charges or packages straight.
One follow in Taiwan is normally to switch a deposit to the guesthouse as a pre-booking charge, however if you happen to inform them you’re not in/from Taiwan, they normally are okay to make a reservation and allow you to pay on arrival.
To date I haven’t discovered any methodology of constructing transfers to Taiwanese accounts in NTD simply, which is extra resulting from Taiwan’s moderately closed banking system – multi forex websites like Revolut and Sensible don’t allow you to create NTD wallets, and the transfers to Taiwan are in USD for some cause as nicely.
Magong: Catt Leya B&B Lodge
嘉德利雅民宿
I selected to remain in a quieter space outdoors of the principle downtown Magong district often called Siwei Village, about 10 minutes drive north of Magong Metropolis the place the Nanhai Harbour is positioned.
Siwei looks as if a residential space with not a lot round by way of services, however there are many guesthouses and house blocks round right here and it’s away from the busy downtown space.
Catt Leya is a guesthouse run by a household with a extremely pleasant host. We chitchatted a number of occasions and he or she gave me many recommendations on issues to see round Penghu and even invited me to affix in her personal conversations together with her buddies at night time. They will additionally make different preparations for you want scooter rental and reserving my day tour to Wang’an/Qimei.
The townhouse is a 4-story walkup – no lifts so in order for you a room on the decrease ground, allow them to know early. I used to be up on the third ground however I actually loved this room as a result of it was very spacious. In all probability the biggest room in my total journey! I didn’t have a balcony however I had a pleasant sitting space to sprawl out on.
Animal alert: they do have resident cat and canine pets which is an efficient/dangerous factor relying on how a lot you want animals, however the animals sometimes keep on the bottom ground and don’t go into the visitor rooms.
Take a look at Cattleya on Reserving.com (Catt Leya B&B Lodge) [affiliate link]
Different Magong lodging choices
Another lodging choices in Magong that I used to be contemplating [booking.com affiliate links]:
You could possibly additionally think about staying additional afield in Baisha, Xiyu, Huxi and even on Qimei if in case you have your individual transport and need someplace quieter and away from the crowds.
Greatest time to go to the Penghu Islands
For cooler climate, spring and autumn are good occasions to go to Penghu, however if you wish to hit the seashores and partake in water actions then summer time is in fact your best choice. I visited in Might and it was already pretty heat.
Winter is when you must keep away from Penghu largely as a result of it will get tremendous windy there even within the different seasons, however issues get actually blustery and moist within the winter months. Usually that is the off-season and flights/ferries get cancelled so much – it’s largely solely the locals travelling forwards and backwards throughout this era.
Some windy mornings in Penghu within the early summer time already had me feeling fairly blown about so I think about it’d be a lot worse with chilly piercing winter winds!
Penghu Fireworks Competition
澎湖花火節
Summer season is when Penghu is at its busiest, largely due to the well-known Penghu Fireworks Competition 澎湖花火節 that sometimes takes place from Might to July. The present normally occurs each Monday and Thursday night on the Guanyinting in Magong Metropolis. There’s a stage on the park, some cubicles and many individuals collect to witness the present which usually includes fireworks and drone motion that lasts about half-hour.
In Might 2023 I timed my journey so I’d be capable of catch the fireworks 2x and a superb factor I did. The primary time across the winds had been so sturdy that the Disney themed drone present (to have a good time 100 years of Disney) was cancelled and we solely acquired to see about 10 minutes price of fireworks as a substitute. The climate was significantly better on my 2nd journey so I acquired to see the total present.
I recorded each my fireworks competition reveals for Taiwan Tourism SG, and even livestreamed considered one of them! Verify them out on Fb: the first present (me livestreaming Q&A + fireworks) and the second present (drones + fireworks)
See the most recent Penghu Fireworks Competition updates on Fb.
Different Penghu journey ideas
Have further TWD readily available
Right here’s the factor about island life in Taiwan, even on bigger islands akin to Penghu: ATMs are few and much between, and even if you happen to do discover an ATM, there’s a excessive probability that it doesn’t take international playing cards. Fortunately I had sufficient money readily available in Penghu in order that wasn’t a problem (I almost had some actual issues in Matsu!).
Use the ATMs on the airports on Taiwan’s mainland earlier than flying over – Songshan Airport had loads of ATMs choices that didn’t cost extra charges.
Cowl up from the solar and wind
You will see that there’s not quite a lot of shelter when you find yourself driving across the Penghu Islands, particularly if you’re getting round by scooter. Due to the sturdy winds, there are few tall timber and never quite a lot of cover cowl, so ensure you are sufficiently protected against the solar – I like to recommend lengthy sleeves or an airism jacket.
A tip if you’re using, biking or sitting on the outside deck of the ferry – be certain that your sleeves are lengthy sufficient to cowl your fingers since you would possibly find yourself with actually brown fingers though all the things else was coated up.
If you’re using, be certain that your helmet has a face defend or have a pair of sun shades readily available to guard your eyes. I generally used a buff/masks to cowl my nostril/mouth as nicely from the mud whereas using.
Have you ever been to the Penghu Islands or are planning to go there? Let me know within the feedback if in case you have any questions. Within the meantime take a look at different Taiwan offshore islands that I’ve visited: