Cycling in Taiwan Little Liuqiu Island Text & Photos: Editorial Dept. 168 BMU 2012 Spring www.biketaiwan.com Cycling in Taiwan Store Street Vase Rock Beauty Cave 202 屏 Baisha Harbor (privately-owned) Mediterranean Seaview Villa Chung Au Beach 屏 Helipad 202 Sanlong Temple 204 203 屏 屏 Little Liuqiu Island 201 屏 Sanfu Ecological Path 屏 Lobster Cave 204 屏202 BiYung Temple Coastal road Boarpitch Ecological Path Boar Pitch Bamboo Trail 屏 204 Geban Bay (Venice Beach) Dafu Harbor (county-owned ferry) Black Dwarf Cave 202 201 White 屏 屏 Lighting House Coastal road Little Liuqiu, Taiwan's only coral 205 屏 island, is located southwest of the mouth of Kaoping River, and is shaped like a floating Houshi Fringing Reef shoe. It is said that an absentminded deity lost his shoe when he crossed the sea. Positioned 14km west of Donggang in Pingtung County, Little Liuqiu is one of Taiwan's easiest offshore islands to reach. It only takes 40 minutes by ferry, and visitors will find themselves immersed in an entirely different environment than that of Taiwan. Liuqiu, full of South Sea vistas, is perfect for a relaxing weekend of natural surroundings, ocean views, aquatic recreation, and biking. www.biketaiwan.com 2012 Spring BMU 169 Cycling in Taiwan 170 BMU 2012 Spring www.biketaiwan.com Cycling in Taiwan Biking Along the Costal Road coastal road is as good as a broad Donggang can carry bicycles. bike path. Cycling on the island The ferries are operated by both With an area of 6.8 square is a very carefree and enjoyable county-owned and private enter- kilometers, the whole of Liuqiu experience. prises: The county-owned fer- island is composed of coral reefs. However, a multi-speed bike ries arrive at Dafu Harbor, and Blessed with stunning natural is a must in order to meet the chal- the private ones land at Baisha beauty, Liuqiu's multifaceted lenge of the hills along the coastal Harbor. The distance between allure can be seen everywhere. road. One thing to keep in mind is the two harbors is about 4 km. Extraordinary natural scenic that since there is no bicycle shop Be careful not to take the wrong spots such as Vase Rock, Beauty on the island, cyclists must bring boat. Cave, Lobster Cave, and Black their own repair kits along with Restaurants in Liuqiu are Dwarf Cave are favorite spots for their bike. mostly located along Store Street visitors. Biking is the best way in front of Baisha Harbor. Apart to travel around Liuqiu, since A 2-Day Overnight Tour of from restaurants where fresh, de- almost all the scenic spots are Liuqiu licious seafood is served, visitors situated along the 18-kilometer can also choose from reasonably- coastal road. A ferry is the only means priced snacks, local products, Because fewer tourists of transportation to Liuqiu. The specialty goods, and products visit Liuqiu than other offshore ride is smooth when the weather from the two convenience stores. islands, Liuqiu is more relax- is calm, and waves are seldom Visitors should take their ing and peaceful. Few vehicles a problem unless the weather is time exploring you Liuqiu. A are seen on the island, and the bad. The ferry that departs from two-day cycling trip is a great www.biketaiwan.com 2012 Spring BMU 171 Cycling in Taiwan way to enjoy the local landscape. the crystal clear water, tropical ster Cave are both hard to find, It's best to start from Baisha Har- fish, and coral, visitors may even so it's better to hire a local guide. bor, since many hotels are locat- come across sea turtles while Make sure to wear shoes when ed there. Biking along the west scuba diving. Chung Au Beach is visiting the intertidal zones to shore, cyclists can visit Beauty where most water activities (such prevent cuts and scrapes from the Cave, Geban Bay, and Black as banana boating) take place and coral. Dwarf Cave, and arrive at Sunset is an excellent place to visit. The Boulevard in time for the sunset. sand at beautiful Venice Beach Scuba Diving The view is spectacular when in Geban Bay is composed of the setting sun paints the ocean a foraminifera, coral fragments and The best time for scuba bright red color. As for nighttime shells. This white sand beach is diving is between September and activities, Store Street is a good about 100 meters in length, and is April. Because Liuqiu is situated place for BBQ squid while view- an ideal place to view the exqui- off the mouth of the Kaoping ing the distant lights of Taiwan. site ocean scenery and watch the River, driftwood and silt often Get ready to wake up early the sunset. reduce water visibility after it next day and bike along the east Liuqiu contains three in- has rained heavily in Taiwan. shoreline to explore Lobster Cave tertidal zones. These are located The surrounding ocean around and Houshi Fringing Reef, and along the Sanfu Ecological Path, Liuqiu is clearer after autumn, also watch the dazzling sunrise. at Duozaiping, and at Lobster when rains and typhoons are Cave. Rich sea life can be seen in fewer. This time is also perfect A Rich Ecology these three areas, including sea for aquatic activities, since the urchins, sea cucumbers, sea stars, weather is hot, and Liuqiu is The undersea world at Liu- crabs, and a variety of shells. protected by Taiwan's mountains qiu is even more spectacular than Sanfu Ecological Path is easy to from the northeast monsoon. the land scenery. In addition to reach, but Duozaiping and Lob- Beauty Cave Beauty Cave is located in the northeast corner of Liuqiu and is famous for its coral limestone. With its back to the hills and face to the ocean, the cave is known for its unique rocks and abundant flowers and grasses. It is said that as a result of the hard life and customary preference for boys over girls in earlier times, baby girls would be abandoned Geban Bay Beach in the cave if the family could not afford to have a second Geban Bay Beach is a seashell sand beach about 100 meters in length. The daughter. Beauty Cave is therefore also known as Baby clean white sand strip has a beautiful nickname--Venice Beach. The seashell Dumping Cave (this cave is located around 500 meters sand is composed of foraminifera, coral fragments, and shells. south of today's Beauty Cave). 172 BMU 2012 Spring www.biketaiwan.com Cycling in Taiwan Houshi Fringing Reef The southeast shoreline is surrounded by endless fringing coral reefs. Inside the fringing reefs are huge flat wave-cut platforms, uneven due to erosion by the sea. Vase Rock As a result, many interesting Liuqiu's most famous landmark, Vase Rock, stands about 9 rocks are visible, such as one meters tall. The cupola-shaped formation was formed by an uplift certain coral reef that looks of the earth's crust. The rock's base has been eroded by the sea like a head of an Indian from water, making it a lone reef. Shaped similarly to a vase—wide a distance, fittingly called on top and slim at the bottom, with flowers and grass growing on Indian Rock. top - it's easy to see how the landmark got its name. Mediterranean Seaview Villa The Mediterranean Seaview Villa is the most popular guest house in Liuqiu. 161-9 Fuxing Rd., Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County A hundred-year tradition— the perfect gift: He Mei Liuqiu Sausages 93 Zhongshan Rd., Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County Tasty snacks—Mrs. Squid BBQ squid is a famous snack in Liuqiu. The Mrs. Squid shop prepares fresh squid every day. Unique local cooking— The flavors include original, spicy, honey, and sesame. The Suyue Restaurant Address: 27 Minsheng Rd., 36 Minsheng Rd., Liuqiu Liuqiu Township, Pingtung Township, Pingtung County County www.biketaiwan.com 2012 Spring BMU 173.