Summer is here! Are you looking for an unforgettable graduation trip? Or an island vacation away from the hustle and bustle with a few close friends? Like a string of pearls on the sea, Penghu with its many natural treasures await you! Come ride the winds of Penghu and create new memories by exploring the local people, culture, and picturesque landscape on a bicycle.
Want a truly in-depth tour of Penghu? A guided tour service has been launched by Penghu National Scenic Area Administration (Penghu-NSA) with dedicated guides, routes and destinations. Simply book online 7 days in advance to enjoy a fun and interesting cycling tour. No bicycle? Don’t worry, Penghu-NSA’s Sita Visitor Center on Siyu has 25 bicycles that tourists can borrow for free. To apply, simply fill out your contact details at the service counter. Two of the guided cycling tour routes are provided below for your reference:
Cruise the Golden Coast and Run Through the Sands of Youth
Why not use your hard-earned holiday to cycle along the golden coast with friends and family? Feel the summer breeze on your face, take in the smell of the sea and sand and listen to the sound of the waves. This is what youth is all about!
Begin by meeting up at the Penghu Visitor Center, getting your gear in order and setting off with the tour leader. Aimen Beach is just a short 10-minute ride away but the swings and pavilion here are perfect for a quick break. Sitting on the swings and watching the waves lapping on the golden seashore makes for a very relaxing experience - and this is just the first stop! The next step is Lintou Park with its tree-lined walking trail which offers a perfect refuge from the scorching summer sun. A littler further on came the sights of Lungmen Fishing Harbor. The tour leader had an interesting story to tell about Lungmen, but you’ll have to listen to it for yourself to find out!
The second half of the tour provides a better understanding of local developments in Penghu and its geography. “Guoye Lime Kiln” standards like an ancient fortress on the coast with the blue sea as its backdrop. The layers of gray, white and blue create a majestic scene well worth photographing.
The grand finale was “Moses Parting the Sea.” Here you can see the sea parting as the tide goes out, revealing the rich ecology and geology of the inter-tidal belt. Just pay attention to the tidal schedule so you don’t miss out.
Once you have visited all the destinations, the return trip takes you back to Magong City by another route that passes through Husi Township. The guided tour cycling service therefore includes a tour of Husi Township’s small-town ambiance as well.
One-day Tour of Penghu’s Classic Sights
It’s possible to hit all of Penghu’s classic sights in one day without going on a forced march. The ride departs from Dongwei Stone Carving Park and takes you to Jhongtun Wind Farm, a famous landmark in Penghu. The 8 wind turbines standing here are like 8 sentinels that stand watch over the electricity supply of Penghu. Next, ride the wind to the Trans-Oceanic Bridge to take classic photos of Penghu. You can also take a quick break nearby to enjoy cactus ice, a local specialty, to refuel and rehydrate for the summer. Next, ride along the long, straight bridge flanked by the shimmering sea on both sides. Keep riding and you will arrive at Whale Cave, a sea erosion arch that looks like its namesake. The strange rocks shaped by the sea as well as popular local foods are all well worth a try.
The biggest advantages of the guided cycling tour are not having to worry about getting lost as well as the explanations given by the guide. Just what any tourist needs! The Dongtai Military Historic Site Park for example is a historical site that is well-worth visiting. The guide will give you an idea of its background and story.
The highlight of the tour is the Daguoye Columnar Basalt, a must-see for every visitor to Penghu. The layers of rock formations really bring home how insignificant humans are compared to Mother Nature! Following the narrow and winding path down to the sea felt like exploring uncharted territory.
At the end of your exploration, you come to Erkan Settlement. The historic settlement is a reminder of older, simpler times. If you are feeling ravenous after all that pedaling, there are all kinds of old-time desserts available here including tofu pudding with peanut powder, almond tea, and fried rice cake. In addition to the food and sights, the houses built from coral and basalt along the lanes of the settlement are very photogenic too.
As evening draws in, Yuwengdao Lighthouse offers a great place to admire the sunset with the sound of the waves in your ears. The sunset provided the perfect finishing touch to the cycling tour and from here, you can ride back downtown and bring a very eventful day to its true conclusion.
Many people might have trouble picking between these two recommended routes. Our advice for beginner cyclists looking for a relaxing itinerary with the beach, sand, and sea is to pick the “Roam Southern Penghu and Husi Golden Coast .” If you cycle regularly and want something challenging or want to experience more of Penghu’s local scenery with family and friends, pick “Cycling Tour of Yuwengdao Geological Park !”
Everyone no doubt puts a lot of effort into staying healthy in the post-pandemic era. Penghu-NSA hopes that everyone can enjoy a fun and healthy holiday which is why we supported “World Bicycling Day” and helped promote “Year of Cycling Tourism.” In addition to the guided cycling program, we also hosted the “Conquer on Bike Mt. Shetou, One of the Taiwan's 100 Little Peaks” cycling exploration event. At the same time, we also invited everyone to come cycle on Penghu and collect the most representative local landmarks. Simply check-in at designated locations and upload the photo to your personal Facebook page with the tags #2022 Penghu Cycling Festival # Penghu Cycling Tour Certificate Chill to go into the draw for an Apple HomePod Mini. Event details are available on the official Facebook fan page.
Bonus Recommendations
As a bonus, why not consider joining the “2023 Penghu Cycling Festival - 101K Hopping Bike” event. The event is divided into the Leisure (22km) and Challenge (101km) divisions, and you can select the division appropriate for your own level of fitness. Get a group together to come chase the wind on Gaillardia Island now!