Xiaoliuqiu (aka Little Liuqiu, Lamay Island, or Lambai Island) is a small island paradise off the southwestern coast of Taiwan. The island is known for its clear water, amazing coral reefs, white sand beaches, and quiet, laid-back atmosphere. Only a short half-hour boat ride from the Taiwan mainland, the island is easily accessible. In addition, the island is small enough that you can round the entire island by scooter in a matter of minutes.
🏖️ Planning your trip to Xiaoliuqiu? 🤿
Here are some top travel tips for you:
Best time to visit: March to November when it is warm and less windy
In 1622, a Dutch ship crashed on the island, two years before the Dutch began to rule Taiwan, and all but one of the crew members were killed by the aboriginal tribe living on the island at the time. In retaliation, the Dutch sent a force to massacre the natives on the island. 300 men, women, and children were suffocated alive in a large cave, and the rest of the people were put into slavery by the Dutch. This was known as the Lamey Island Massacre. Later, Chinese people began inhabiting the island in 1645. Later, the island fell under Qing, Japanese, and ROC rule. Currently, the island is a township of Pingtung County with a population of over 10,000 people. Most of the people on the island rely on fishing and tourism for a living. The island also has one of the largest concentrations of temples in Taiwan. Xiaoliuqiu started to become a major tourist destination after 2004, reaching over 400,000 tourists per year.
Rules to consider:
Do not go snorkeling or diving during bad weather, low tide, or big waves.
Do not trespass private property or government property that is off limits (such as military base, weather station, reservoir, or garbage dump)
Do not get near or touch sea turtles
Do not enter regulated inter-tidal zones without a licensed guide (see more below)
Always snorkel or dive with a buddy
Have fun
Regulated Inter-tidal Zones:
In 2015 restrictions were placed on the inter-tidal zones in Xiaoliuqiu so that only those with a licensed guide could visit them and swimming is prohibited. These restrictions apply specifically to the following areas:
Dafu Harbor inter-tidal zone (north of Dafu Harbor)
Yanziping Beach
Shanfu Harbor Inter-tidal zone (north of Shanfu Harbor)
Gebanwan (Venice Beach)
There are other inter-tidal zones that are not regulated.
When to go:
Anytime! Xiaoliuqiu is a tropical island that has warm water and temperatures (above 25 degrees Celsius) year-round. However it is a little cooler and windier during the winter, and you should be sure to avoid Typhoons during summer (ferries will be canceled if there is a Typhoon). However, it can get really crowded during summer break in July-August, so go during the off-season to avoid the crowds.
Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in the summer months and on weekends when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. Some places we have stayed at that I recommend are Yujing 6.8, which is a four-story house near Dafu Harbor (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), Boliu B&B (柏琉民宿) which is also a nice newly renovated hostel right on the main street near lots of restaurants (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), Haichan Hostel which is a traditional three-sided Taiwanese mansion near the beach (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Baisha Bay B&B which is a great place near the main harbor that is only one story so there are no stairs (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). All of the owners of these places were very helpful, and even helped me to move my luggage and rent scooters. Some hostels require that you pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account), but you should not have to do this if you book through Agoda or another hotel booking site. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here.
How to Get There:
The only way to get there is via ferry from Donggang or Yanpu Ferry Terminal in Pingtung. The ferry ride takes about 25 minutes. There is a ferry leaving from Donggang roughly every half hour from 7 AM to 5 PM.
Taking the Ferry:
Ferry from Donggang Harbor (東港漁港) to Baishawei Harbor (白沙尾漁港) on Xiaoliuqiu:
The first boat leaves at about 8:00 AM and the last boat leaves at about 4:50 PM.
Parking: There is free scooter parking and paid car parking at the fishing harbor (30 NT per car), but the fishing harbor does not allow overnight parking. Overnight parking near Donggang Fishing Harbor can cost up to 180 NT per day, but parking at Yanpu Harbor is usually free. Public transport: There are many shuttles to and from Zuoying HSR station that leave hourly. The cost is about 200-300 NT per trip. You can book tickets to Kaohsiung via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here, and then take a shuttle bus. You can book a shuttle bus from Zuoying HSR Station to Donggang on Klook here or KKday here. The ride takes about an hour.
Gas Scooters: Price: expect 300-400 NT per day. You can book a scooter for a discount through Klook here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. In general, you will need a local scooter license or international driving permit (IDP), however, if you don’t have these it may still be possible to rent a gas scooter from a friendly scooter rental shop. Be sure to book your rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. Helmet-wearing is not very much enforced, but it’s still the law, and you should definitely wear one for your own safety. Electric Scooters: If you do not have a local scooter license or international driving permit (IDP), then you can still rent an electric scooter to get yourself around the island. Electric scooters do not require a license in Taiwan. You can book an electric scooter on Klook here or KKday here and here.
Bicycle Rental:
Riding a bike can be a great way to circle Xiaoliuqiu. You can circle the entire island is less than an hour. You can ship a bicycle to Xiaoliuqiu for about 100 NT per round trip on the ferry. There are not many bicycle rental options on Xiaoliuqiu besides electric scooters, so it may be easier to rent a bike in Donggang and ship it over. Usually, bicycle rentals are only about 100-200 NT per day. You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can book an electric scooter on Klook here or KKday here and here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Total cost of a 4-day trip to Xiaoliuqiu for two people: 9,000 NT – 30,000 NT depending on the hotel and types of activities you choose.
Map:
Please see below:
Drone Footage:
For an overview of the island, check out our drone footage above. There are about 13 sea turtles in this video. Can you find them all?We made another video in 2023 for you to enjoy above.
Our Journey:
We have visited Xiaoliuqiu ten times since 2014. I’m going to try to blend all these trips into one blog post.
When we first drove to Donggang 東港 in May 2014, we were not quite sure which boat to take to get there. Parking was cheap, only 30 NT per day (no overnight parking), which was fine because we only came for a day trip. We ended up taking the private ferryboat over. While buying tickets, a lady asked us if we wanted to rent scooters and set us up with her friend who rents scooters on the island. We paid her right then, which seemed shady but it worked out.
In October 2016, we visited for two days and drove a scooter to the ferry dock. We parked our scooter near the ferry with no problems. We bought tickets and rented scooters when we got there with no problems.
In September 2020 we visited for four days. We drove by car to the ferry dock. I learned on the spot that the cheap 30 NT parking was not allowed overnight. So I went to the nearest parking garage which was 180 NT per day, but a nice man there at the entrance talked me into parking in his driveway for 500 NT for four days. We barely made the ferry on time, which for some reason was 30 minutes (usually the ferries are always on time). We booked our ferry ticket and scooter together on Klook, so it was a total of 1950 NT for two adult round-trip tickets, a child round-trip ticket, and a scooter rental for four days. I thought it was a good deal.
In 2014 The boat ride was crowded and somewhat slow, but we made it to the island safe and sound. Right when we got off the boat, the scooter rental people found us and took us to our scooters. It was 300 NT per scooter, which is very cheap for scooter rental. The scooter people didn’t even look at our licenses, and they said themselves that helmets were not required. However, the second time we visited the rental shops all required us to wear helmets because the police had recently cracked down on tourists. We rode around the island on our scooters and saw everything from the shops to the beaches to more beaches and some restaurants. The weather was great every single time we went! Be aware that a few places require an entrance ticket. Also, some restaurants can be a little more expensive than one would expect in Kaohsiung, but some are cheaper too.
Some places we have stayed at that I recommend are Yujing 6.8, which is a four-story house near Dafu Harbor, Boliu B&B (柏琉民宿) which is also a nice newly renovated hostel right on the main street near lots of restaurants, Haichan Hostel, which is a traditional three-sided Taiwanese mansion near the beach, and Baisha Bay B&B which is a great place near the main harbor that is only one story so there are no stairs. All of the owners of these places were very helpful, and even helped me to move my luggage and rent scooters.
Snorkeling 浮潛
Xiaoliuqiu has some of the best snorkeling (浮潛Fú qiǎn) in Taiwan. There are snorkeling rental shops and tours all over the island, the usual price being 300 NT for an hour tour per person. If you don’t know where to go, you can book on Klook, KKday, or ask your hostel owner and they will be able to hook you up.
Our snorkeling session in 2016 only lasted 30 minutes, but it was an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience. We went to Meirendong (美人洞), a beach we will cover further in this blog.
We just chose a random snorkeling shop near the center of town (there are snorkeling shops literally everywhere on the island). A typhoon had just passed through so we were afraid that there would be an ocean warning, but luckily we were able to get in the water and snorkel.
And of course, we saw a sea turtle! In fact, you will probably see one too. Xiaoliuqiu has some of the highest concentrations of sea turtles in the world. But don’t get too close to them or touch them, because you could face a hefty fine. These are endangered animals.
Our guide fed bread to the fish to keep them close.
More fish, including some clown fish.
After only an hour of snorkeling, I got a little seasick. We were holding onto a life raft and bobbing up and down with the waves, which did not sit well with my stomach, so we hit the beach. The lesson here is to find a day with calmer waters to go snorkeling, especially if you get seasick easily.
Check out our snorkeling video above. You can also check out our latest video made in 2024 above. Here is a video of fish swimming at the beach in Xiaoliuqiu.
Gebanwan is my favorite beach in Taiwan and has some of the best sand. However, as of 2024, this area became a regulated intertidal zone, with a control station. You can only enter the intertidal area with a guide. However, you can still relax on the beach and swim about 15 feet from shore. Keep your distance from turtles, or else the guards on the beach will whistle at you and you can get fined. Also, make sure you don’t touch or step on any intertidal sea creatures, or you could face a fine.
Check out our drone video of Gebanwan Beach 蛤板灣 above. You can also check out our second drone video here.
360 view of Geban Bay, one of the best beaches on Xiaoliuqiu. Can you find the sea turtle in the water? Unfortunately…
Or you can check out our 360-degree view of the area above or here.
Unfortunately on our trip in 2020, the road down to Gebanwan was under construction so we could only view it via drone. But that didn’t stop some other people from trespassing. Here are some photos from our trip in 2014:
The best beach on the island is Gebanwan 蛤版灣, which has perfect white sand. There are also some cheap showers next to the small temple in the picture above.
We first visited Gebanwan in 2014 and it was the highlight of our trip. Later in 2015 restrictions were placed on the inter-tidal zones in Xiaoliuqiu so that only those with a licensed guide could visit them and swimming is prohibited. This is to protect the sea creatures in the inter-tidal zones. Although Gebanwan is an inter-tidal zone, it is not regulated, but in general, it is not very safe to swim here. It is a really nice beach though.
Snorkeling in the crystal clear water at Gebanwan.
Soaking in the rays.
Later a group of Taiwanese tourists came, and in typical Taiwanese fashion walked into the water with all of their normal clothes still on.
The beautiful white sand on Gebanwan Beach.
I could count the people who actually brought swimwear on one hand. This is because Taiwanese people are afraid of tanning and showing skin.
View to the north of the beach.
Two fishermen fishing just offshore.
Another fisherman looks discouraged.
We forgot sunscreen.
Random poses.
Small lobster in the sand.
Container ships on the horizon.
View of Gebanwan from the road above.
Another view of Gebanwan from the road above.
A sea turtle I captured with a drone in Gebanwan.
White Lighthouse 白燈塔
There is a nice lighthouse at the top of the island but not much of a view, but you can still take selfies there.
“White Lighthouse” “The White Lighthouse also called Liuqiu lighthouse stands on the top of a hill in southwestern Liuqiu at 22′ 12’48’ north latitude and 120′ 21’55’ east longitude. It was built in 1929. The lighthouse is white in color and round in shape and is made of concrete. It is 10 meters tall from base to tip and flashes every 2.2 seconds day and night. The light can be seen up to 20 nautical miles away. Like the lighthouse at Eluanbi, it helps guide ships navigating through the Taiwan Strait and the Bashi Channel and is thus an international lighthouse. Under the bright sun, the white lighthouse stands out vividly against the blue sky, presenting a very different impression from its bright flashes of light at night.”
View from the top of the lighthouse.
Some bamboo had fallen over in the latest typhoon, blocking the road to the lighthouse.
Hundred Year Old Banyan Tree (百年老榕樹)
The hundred-year-old banyan tree (百年老榕樹) near the lighthouse. It’s worth a look. There is also a temple and sometimes people sell trinkets and snacks here.
Haizikou Harbor 海子口漁港
Fisherman trying to make a living on the rocky coral shores of Haizikou Harbor (海子口漁港). There is not really good swimming or snorkeling here, but some nice views.
More fishermen on one of the island’s many piers.
Shanfu Fishing Harbor (杉福漁港)
The three of us in 2014, which has become the blog’s logo. There is a nice swimming spot there called Shanfu Fishing Harbor (杉福漁港) with a small beach and showers, that you can see in the background.
I think the most fun part about that island was us just randomly driving all around on those scooters, and going full throttle down the streets.
Check out our drone video of Shanfu Harbor 杉福漁港 above. You can also check out our second drone video above.
360 degree view of Shanfu Harbor on Xiaoliuqiu Island, another great swimming spot. This is also the location of our logo. Below there are two sea turtles in the water but they may be hard to see. #杉福漁港 #小琉球
Or check out the 360 panorama above or via this link.
Shanfu is a great swimming spot with usually calm water. You can also watch the sunset here.
A fish I photographed underwater in the harbor.
Two sea turtles in Shanfu Harbor as seen from the air.
To the left of the harbor is a great snorkeling destination.
View of the harbor from the pier.
Sunset at Shanfu Harbor.
Shanfu Intertidal Zone 杉福潮間帶
To the right of the harbor is one of the three intertidal zones that is controlled. You will need a guide to visit this place, in order to protect the sea creatures here.
Shanfu Ecological Trail (杉福生態廊道)
The Shanfu Ecological Trail is a short trail that follows an old military bunker and has a great view of the ocean.
Originally the trail here went from Shanfu Harbor to the bunker and beyond, but is now closed off. “Guide to Shanfu Ecology Corridor” “The Shanfyu Ecology Corridor runs for more than 400 meters between Duzaiping and Shanfu Fishing Harbor. In the old days, its entrance was a restricted gun emplacement; military control has been removed now, but the space inside is still well preserved. The trail follows the seashore all the way, giving visitors access to all kinds of special sea-eroded landscapes such as pillars, notches, and potholes. The path is lined by coastal vegetation such as the beach morning glory, necklace pod, Timor allophones, silver Messerschmitt, and beach naupaka, which not only add color to the sea-eroded terrain but also attract all kinds of insects. When the tide is out this is an excellent place to observe the intertidal life including crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and waterfowl. In addition, the trail faces to the west, making it perfect for watching the sunset from Liuqiu.”
You can check out our drone footage of the area above.
360 degree view from above the old artillery emplacement on the west side of Xiaoliuqiu. This bunker used to have huge…
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via this link here.
View of snorkelers in front of the rock via drone.
On the far side of the rock, there is also a trail that later connects up with Beauty Cave.
“Liuqiu is Taiwan’s only coral island. Its surface is covered with coral limestone, and it is surrounded by uplifted coral reefs. Limestone cave terrain and coral reef coastal terrain encompass the entire island. Continuous wave erosion over the ages has carved out the limestone near the coastline, forming eroded features such as Beauty Cave, and Black Devil Cave. When the sea-eroded caves become enlarged, the upper layer of coral limestone loses its support and collapses, forming unique rockslide scenes such as Climbing Tiger Rock. The remaining supports stand in the water off the sea cliffs and are called Sea stacks; Flower Vase Rock is one of these. In addition, rainwater percolating through cracks in the surface of limestone produces corrosion and gradually forms limestone caves that are narrow at the top and broad on the bottom. The most representative of this type of corroded terrain on Liuqiu is the Wild Boar Trench.”
Another view of the Flower Vase Rock.
A group of people taking photos in front of the rock.
There are also great views of the main Island of Taiwan from here, especially at night.
Baishawei Harbor 白沙尾漁港
Baishawei is the main harbor on the island. Near this harbor, you can find the most food, scooter rentals, and boat tours.
View of the Ferry Terminal here at night.
Here you can find a number of experiences available:
There is also a nice beach here to watch the evening views.
Last view of Taiwan at night.
Zhong’ao Beach (中澳沙灘)
Zhong’ao Beach is one of the best beaches on the island. However, the water is a little deep and the waves are big too. It is also a popular spot for Kayaking.
Check out our drone footage of Zhong’ao Beach 中澳沙灘 above.
A 360 degree view of Zhong’ao Beach in Xiaoliuqiu, it’s the most accessible and largest sandy beach on the island. It’s…
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via this link here.
There is also a small beach to the right which is not controlled, however, a fence has been placed at the harbor to prevent tourists from entering.
This is also a popular fishing spot for locals.
View of the boats in Yufu Harbor.
Lobster Cave (龍蝦洞)
Lobster Cave is a cool feature on Xiaoliuqiu’s coast, with a sea cave that opens up to a small beach.
Be careful when you walk around here. There are cliffs all around.
This is also a popular spot for taking photos.
A man stares down the ledge. Notice snorkelers in the background.
View down to the water below.
Another sea cave below.
Another view down into the Lobster Cave.
Xiaoliuqiu Aquarium (小琉球海生館)
The Xiaoliuqiu Aquarium is new and is the only aquarium on the island. There are some giant lobsters, horseshoe crabs, tiny sharks, and tide pools that you can touch.
Price: 160 NT per person.
Was it worth it? I think so. It was a fun part of the trip since we didn’t do any serious snorkeling in 2020.
View of the front entrance.
You can buy tickets to the aquarium here.
Sharks.
Lobsters.
Horseshoe crab.
Giant clam.
Another shark.
Anemone.
More fish you can touch.
A Seahorse.
Sea Worms.
Oyster shells with pearls.
Gift shop.
Sunrise Pavilion (旭日亭)
Sunrise Pavilion is a great place to see the sunrise.
“Sunrise Pavilion is situated in the southeastern part of Liuqiu, facing the mighty Taiwan Strait, and is one of the best places on the island for viewing the rising sun. As the sun comes up, its golden rays paint the layered clouds and the sea surface red in a brilliant display of the majestic changes of nature. The coastline below is an expanse of coral-rock terrain that points with finger-like projections into the sea, and you can frequently see fishermen there trying to harvest the sea’s bounty. Like Sunset Pavilion, this spot was once an eroded wasteland that was developed with funds from the Environmental Protection Administration under a program for the restoration and reuse of lands, into a place where visitors and local residents alike can relax and observe the wonders of nature.”
View from the pavilion here.
View here from sunset. I should say there is also a secret closed-off path from here to the Flying Coast.
Check out our video above of Sunset and Sunrise from Xiaoliuqiu 小琉球日落及日出.
87 Highlands (八七高地)
The highest point on Xiaoliuqiu is 87 Highlands. There is a hiking trail here, or like me, you can fly a drone here to see the view.
Check out our drone footage of Xiaoliuqiu Highland 小琉球高地 here.
360 degree of Xiaoliuqiu (Lamay Island) from the air, just to give you an idea of how big (or small) it is. The island…
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via this link here.
Dafu Harbor (大福漁港)
Dafu Harbor is the second-largest harbor on the island. There is a government-run ferry that comes here, and there are places to rent scooters here too.
Dafu Harbor is a more spacious and less busy harbor than Baishawei. There is only one scooter rental place here and limited food options. However, this can be a good spot for travel if your hostel is nearby.
Again, Dafu Harbor is hard to miss. It is the biggest harbor on the island and near the only gas station. I suggest renting a scooter to get around the island and get back to the pier in time. There is one scooter rental shop up the hill right in front of the harbor.
Flying Coast 飛行海灘
The Feixing Coast 飛行海灘 on Xiaoliuqiu near Dafu Harbor is a secret spot with some of the best snorkeling and clearest water near the island.
You can also check out our drone footage of Flying (Feixing) Coast 飛行海灘 above.
360 degree aerial view from the Feixing Coast 飛行海灘 on Xiaoliuqiu near Dafu Harbor. This is a secret spot with some of the best snorkeling and clearest water near the island. 🏝️ 🤿
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via this link here.
Unfortunately, this part of the harbor is also known for lots of junk.
There are also a ton of bikes for the fishermen when they get back on land.
Dafuting Natural Swimming Pool (大福亭天然游泳池)
View from the “natural swimmingpool” outside of Dafu Harbor on Xiaoliuqiu. It was some of the best weather I had ever seen. Even though there were lots of people, it was just me and 10 other sea turtles in the water.
Check out our drone footage of Dafu Natural Swimming Pool above.
360 degree aerial view from the “natural swimming pool” outside of Dafu Harbor on Xiaoliuqiu. It was some of the best…
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via this link here.
The swimming pool is an old harbor that is a popular launching point for kayakers, snorkelers, and divers.
Secret Beach (秘密沙灘)
Secret Beach is a small stretch of sand on the southern tip of the island. As you can tell, it’s not really a secret at all. But the water is usually always nice and calm here.
Check out our drone footage of Secret Beach 秘密沙灘 above.
360 degree view of Secret Beach, a small patch of sandy beach on Xiaoliuqiu’s southeast coastline. It’s not really a…
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via this link here.
View from Secret Beach. The beach is small, but secret-ish.
View of tons of kayakers in front of the beach.
This beach is just a great place to hang out.
Sometimes, people even set up food stalls here.
Frog Rock 青蛙石
FrogRock on Xiaoliuqiu is a popular photo spot nearby. On a clear day, you can see the Hengchun Peninsula in the background.
There is also a cliff here that is popular for taking photos, but also very dangerous because it is in the middle of the road.
Another interesting rock on the side of the road.
Yongan Bridge 永安橋
The Yongan Bridge was built in 1964 probably to make it easier for fishermen to travel out to the outer rocks to fish. It was probably later washed out by a typhoon. Now it is a popular Instagram location and there are still stone steps and foundations of a building below that you can check out.
Instagrammers checking out the rocks near Yongan Bridge.
Be careful if you visit, the cliffs are high, and it can be easy to lose your footing here.
As I mentioned earlier, there are still a few cement steps here to check out.
You can see fishing boats and the ocean from here.
You can also see the remains of some kind of structure here, probably a storage area for fishing gear.
One last view from this area.
Sunset Pavilion (落日亭)
Sunset Pavilion is another popular spot on the island that faces west toward the sunset. There is a small pavilion here and a long stretch of coast on top of a cliff that lets you see amazing views. Usually there are also people selling food here.
This spot also marked the base point of the territorial sea of the Republic of China.
This is also the best spot to see huge waves hit the shore in Xiaoliuqiu.
Lanhai Pavilion (藍海亭)
Lanhai is an even better place to watch the sunset in my opinion than the actual sunset pavilion, because it has a raised platform and benches.
View of a sunset taken from here.
Another view of the sunset.
Last view of the sun from Lanhai Pavilion.
Check out our video above of the Xiaoliuqiu Sunset 小琉球日落.
Devil’s Cave (烏鬼洞)
Devil’s Cave is a small cave on the south side of the island, which is also a popular destination for tourists. It is also home to the Lamey Island Massacre.
There is a small entrance fee to see the cave, and there are also some gift shops inside.
This sign says, “Black Devil Cave is located in the southwestern part of Liouciou, which is covered with coral rock and a tortuous terrain rather like a maze. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty, patriot (and pirate) Zheng Cheng-gong (known to the West as Koxinga) drove the Dutch colonizers from Taiwan in 1662, and a small number of the black slaves who had been forced to work took up residence in this cave. The cave is formed in a crack in the rock, a steep, winding recess that, according to legend, still contains stone tables, chairs, and beds from the time of the Qing Dynasty, and silver implements and jewelry were rumored to have been left. Today, however, the entrance has closed and is blocked. The Sweet Spring, Black Devil Rock Hole, Crystal Pond, Young’s Well, and Wave Platform can be reached after strolling along the trail at the southernmost point of Liouciou. This area provides the best in natural views, where the outdoors and listen to the sound of the waves.”
However, this is not the true history of the cave. In 1622, a Dutch ship crashed on the island, two years before the Dutch began to rule Taiwan, and all but one of the crew members were killed by the aboriginal tribe living on the island at the time. In retaliation, the Dutch sent a force to massacre the natives on the island. 300 men, women, and children were suffocated alive in this cave, and the rest of the people were put into slavery by the Dutch. This was known as the Lamey Island Massacre. Later, Chinese people began inhabiting the island in 1645. Later, the island fell under Qing, Japanese, and ROC rule.
I am not sure why the history is misconstrued on the signage here.
There is a concrete path here that leads down to some shops in front of the cave.
There is also a coral exhibit on the second floor and a mango ice shop.
Devil’s Cave is actually a nice place to escape the heat on a hot summer day, but then again, so is the ocean.
Watch your step as you enter the cave.
You really have to bend down in here. Further in the cave is a small Buddha statue.
The cave also has trails behind it that connect up to this temple with oceanside views.
The trails here are really beautiful.
There is a nice place to rest and some foot pools along the path.
Here you are walking through a forest of coral rock.
More views of the coral rock in the forest.
Thick canopy above.
There are also more small caves and holes in the rocks to explore here.
The trails connect up with Meirendong or Beauty Cave Beach, which also has great views of the ocean.
Some of the trails here are not well kept, and some are totally neglected and grown over.
Shanzhugou Trail is a small trail near Devil’s Cave where you can see a large “trench” between the coral rocks. A ticket here can also take you to the Devil’s Cave and Meirendong.
There are also many shops here across the street from the trail entrance.
Meirendong (Beauty Cave 美人洞)
Meirondong is a great little beach and snorkeling spot. There are also some nice beachside trails nearby. However, you have to pay a small fee to enter.
Check out our drone footage of Meirendong Beach 美人洞沙灘 above.
360 degree view of Meirendong Beach on Xiaoliuqiu Island. There is a nice small beach here and easy access to some amazing snorkeling locations. #美人洞 #小琉球 #台灣 #浮潛
You can also check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or the link here.
You can buy a ticket here that also lets you enter Devil’s Cave and Wild Boar Trench.
This beach also has limits to the amount of people that can visit per day to protect the ecology.
However, you can still expect a lot of people to come here. This is a popular snorkeling spot, and is the first place that I went snorkeling in Taiwan.
The beach here is small but the sand is pristine.
You can easily walk out to the deeper water which has a slow decline. In the background you can also see a diving ship, which lets you know this is a popular spot for diving.
Duzaiping Beach (肚仔坪)
Duzaiping Beach is the third and final regulated inter-tidal zone on Xiaoliuqiu. It takes a long walk through private jungle property to get there.
You can check out our drone footage of Duzaiping Beach above.
This is Duziping Beach, the most pristine coastline on Xiaoliuqiu, because you can't visit here without a guide, and you…
Or you can check out our 360-degree panorama of the area above or via the link here.
There is a control station here, but you will notice it is usually not manned and no one is actually patrolling this beach.
However you still risk getting fined if you enter the intertidal zone without permission and a licensed guide.
This is a sign explaining how Duziping formed due to wave erosion.
There is a small path here to the beach.
The beach is only worth going to during high tide. At low tide there is no water.
However you can see the water here is pristine.
The sand here is also pristine, but lots of garbage and dead fish can accumulate here because not a lot of people visit and clean it up.
It is the island’s most pristine beach and you can’t visit the intertidal zone without a guide.
Tourist Information Center (游客中心)
You should visit the tourist information center before you embark on the island. They have a nice map of the island as shown above.
View inside the visitor center.
There is also some great information about Xiaoliuqiu’s ecology here.
“The coral reefs around Liouciou are made of uplifted coral, providing a rich and diverse marine ecosystem. According to studies mentioned in the image, the reefs support:
631 species of fish
460 species of mollusks, which include creatures like clams, snails, and squid.
The reefs also host unique features such as coral formations resembling lobes, crowns, yellow cups, and mushrooms. These formations provide habitats for various marine life and contribute to the underwater landscape’s beauty.
The reef ecology supports:
Fish populations: Including butterfly fish, groupers, and snappers.
Algae abundance: Algae are critical for maintaining the health of coral reefs. However, excessive algae growth can indicate imbalances in the ecosystem.
Prominent viewpoints and natural attractions in Liouciou, related to the coral reefs, include:
Flower Vase Rock
Beauty Cave
Sunset Pavilion
Black Devil Cave
These areas allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of coral reefs and the biodiversity they support, contributing to Liouciou’s natural tourism appeal.”
Food (食物)
In this section, we will recommend our favorite food on the island.
Lizhu Rouyuan (麗珠肉圓)
First of all, I recommend Lizhu Rouyuan (麗珠肉圓) which is some of the best fried rice around. Address: No. 58-1, Alley 1, Zhongshan Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County 929 Here is the Google Map Link:
The best is Mahi Mahi Fried Rice (鬼頭刀炒飯).
Another great place to get food is near 7-11 on Huandao Road, it turns into a semi-night market at night.
Sea Turtle Cakes
You will find a young woman making sea turtle cakes here. She is not the only maker of the cakes, but she was the first one and often sells out. Address: No. 88, Minsheng Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County 929 Here is the Google Map Link:
And someone making dried squid.
The waffle turtles filled with chocolate were delicious.
Quan Deguo Xiao Breakfast Restaraunt 全德國小早餐店
Another great breakfast shop is a little stand near Quande Elementary School on Fuxing Road called Quan Deguo Xiao Breakfast Restaraunt 全德國小早餐店。 Address: No. 97, Fuxing Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County 929 Here is the Google Map Link:
Usually, only locals visit.
The food here includes fish rice wraps, which are amazing.
Huang Family Mahua Twists (麻花捲)
Another thing you should try here are Mahua Twists (麻花捲), which are dough twisted, kind of like hard pretzels, and are a delicacy in Xiaoliuqiu.
There is a playground at Liuqiu Elementary School that is usually open to the public.
This is the secret spot where locals fish away from the tourists. It’s behind the graveyard.
Secret rocks on the south side of the island.
This is a great spot to snorkel and also watch the sunrise.
Old Coast Guard lookout in disrepair.
Random pill box on the shore. You will see these around the entire island. They are not manned anymore.
Old abandoned house.
Grasshopper on my scooter.
Typhoon Nepartak Damage
Broken down the fence after typhoon Nepartak in 2016. When we visited in October 2016 there was still a lot of damage, and we were basically the only tourists.
Same fence repaired (or removed) in 2020.
Fallen trees after Nepartak.
There is also interesting geology along the coastline, as you can see from the sign above.
We can get close to the cliffs now, right?
The sign was later fixed.
Waves beat against the cliffs on the north side of the island.
Map of the ocean base points around Taiwan
Artwork destroyed by Nepartak.
Reef coastline.
More coral coastline. There is a special teapot rock that a lot of people take photos of near here, but I did not take a picture. Oh wait I did.
Sunrise Pavilion 日出亭
Looking back to the Taiwan mainland from the sunrise pavilion.
Sunset over the Taiwan Strait.
Sun peaking out of the clouds.
View of mainland Taiwan at night.
Ships passing in the night. One place that stuck out to me was a mango ice place that served their ice in sea shells, as well as providing sea shell spoons (海の家貝殼海藻冰 address: No. 61, Minsheng Rd, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, 929), but sadly they are now closed. They also had savory seafood-flavored ice, which was weird. Also, there were the usual street markets that you would expect to find in Taiwan with any Taiwanese food you could ask for. We almost got lost trying to find the port home; there were three different harbors on the island, and it took us a while to find the third one. But we eventually made it back, wishing we had stayed longer.
From 2020 to 2022, Taiwan had a dearth of powerful Typhoons, a phenomenon some would call Taiwan’s Typhoon Iron Dome. However, the Iron dome was broken by two powerful Typhoon landfalls in 2023, and during Taiwan’s historic 2024 Typhoon Season, the iron dome was completely demolished. 2024 was historic in many ways, such as the…
Typhoon Gaemi is the worst Typhoon to hit Taiwan in nearly a decade. It caused five deaths in Taiwan, dumped over a meter of rain in the mountains, and caused work and school to close for over three days in some areas. In this blog, I will detail some of the major events and overall…
Wulai District of New Taipei includes some of Taiwan’s most amazing waterfalls, hot springs, aboriginal culture, an old street with snacks and restaurants, a gondola, a train, an amusement park, hiking trails, camp sites, wildlife, and endless mountain scenery to explore. It is definitely worth a stop on your next trip to Taipei. 🏞️ Planning…
Aimen Beach is the longest beach in Penghu and may be the most popular beach in Penghu for water activities (澎湖隘門沙灘及林投公園). Popular activities include jet skiing, surfing, windsurfing, and snorkeling. The beautiful golden sand and clear blue waters are also great places for taking photos. In addition, Lintou Forest Park next to the beach is…
With two-thirds of the island covered in mountains, Taiwan has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. One of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Taiwan is via camping. Below is a very basic level FAQ on camping in Taiwan for foreigners who have never experienced it. 🏯 Planning…
Kinmen (aka Jinmen or Quemoy) is a group of islands off the coast of Xiamen, China, belonging to Taiwan. For years it was the front lines and closest territory to China during the Chinese Civil War, which has not officially ended. Now that the war with China has come to a close due to the…
