No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. Turtle Island Adventure - Toucheng, Taiwan - YouTube document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Top 10 Things To Do In Taiwan That Aren't Totally Basic Blog YouTrip Singapore, From Yilan from Yilan train station you can either take the. If you arent comfortable exploring the underworld independently, check out this. Heads-up: The ferries are enclosedno window to open. Turtles in Borneo Booking Turtle Island How much is the Turtle Island overnight tour? Su Beautiful Home Stay[Compare rates onBooking,Agoda]is another excellent B&B in Xiaoliuqiu. He was large-bellied, but solid and muscular in the way that some people are after a life spent engaging in tough physical labour. Note that you will need to walk about 10 minutes from Donggang Station to the ferry terminal. How to get there: The only way to get there is by boat from Wushih Harbor in Yilan. Location: 929 [Open Google Map]. Especially if you want to enjoy water activities. Once you get your permit, ask for a list of boat operators and make a reservation (none speak English so ask the Scenic office for help). 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. Every dish was yummy and creative. Xiaoliuqiu Island is only the 6.8-square-kilometer in size. The Turtle Island Adventure interface is very exquisite and cute, mainly set against a forest background, allowing players to experience the beauty and mystery of nature. Find the travel option that best suits you. A cocktail with this handsome chocolate labrador, why not? I had deep-fried fish roes for the first time, and it was uniquely delicious. Need more help finding the perfect hostel, B&B, or hotel in Xiaoliuqiu? Find Guoguang, Chung Nan, or Pingtung bus companies. Your email address will not be published. The island is known for its clear water, amazing coral reefs, white sand beaches, and quiet laid back atmosphere. Should we go from Jiaoxi to Yilan first to leave down out backpack or we should just go straight to the meeting point. We were told that we could stay to take part in a group warm up activity, or strike out on our own. , and the ride was comfortable and smooth. >>Scuba Dive with Green Turtlesin Xiao Liuqiu. From Bangkok there are 10 trains daily which reach the Phun Phin station in 9 to 12 hours. , diving, hiking, vibrant marine & wildlife tours, unique rock formations, etc. ) Xiaoliuqiu () is also known by many other names, such as Liuqiu, Little Liuqiu, Lambai Island, Xiao Liuqiu, Lamay Island, and Little Ryukyu. You can follow the guide to see local flora and fauna as s/he points out. Architecture enthusiasts will be happy to know Zhongshe Village () to the islands west boats a fine collection of impressively well-preserved Qing Dynasty houses, while, animal lovers should take note that Wangan is also a protected nature preserve area for green sea turtles and they can visit the Green Turtle Tourism and Conservation Center in Dongan Village. Permits are limited, so you will find it easier to apply successfully if you plan to visit on a weekday (although not Wednesdays, since these are reserved for school trips). These companies will help visitors apply for the permits required for both landing on the island and climbing the peak, so you only need to share your ID details with them and dont actually need to go through the application process yourself. Green turtles are endangered species. According to the local hotel staff I spoke with, the sweet spot is October. This is a great spot to buy seafood. It is best visited in low tide, so that you can see the iconic heart shape and the fish trapped inside due to the tidal changes, having swam in during high tide. There is a second smaller quay over on this side of the village, presumably to aid easy unloading of provisions when the tunnel network was in use. If you already have snorkeling gears, you can bring yours and jump in the water. Everyone gathered next to the start of the trail and our tour guide encouraged people to take only water and a few snacks up with us, assuring us that everything else could be left safely by the small office building. From Taipei by train you can catch the first Tze-chiang Limited Express of the day (6:23 from Taipei Main, or 6:31 from Songshan), and this should get you to Toucheng Station by 7:50ish. 10 Taiwan travel tips & Taiwanese etiquette to know before you go. Each tour is only NT$100 (roughly USD3). Xiaoliuqiu () is a tiny, gorgeous coral island located a short ferry ride from, well in advance. Why would you not want to grab a drink with him? Despite its humble presence, this casual Taiwanese restaurant is widely popular by local Taiwanese. If this is your first time snorkeling, its a good place to start, but you should know the coral life isnt as vibrant as elsewhere on the island. We booked the tour through our hotel. The Famous Sea Turtles of Xiaoliuqiu (Lambai Island) But surely you will get much better value here than in Taipei (or the USA). Learn and discover the history of mysterious volcano island in Yilan Turtle Island; Experience an unforgettable boat journey to Turtle Island with dolphins and flying fish jumping out the water near the boat; Learn about these animals' unique characteristics straight from the expert tour guide It carries the one of the two active volcanoes in Taiwan. - Qimei Island () Penghu's southernmost island, Qimei Island is most commonly visited by people wanting to see the Twin Hearts Stone Weir ( ), a curved stone weird formed by . Check theXiaoliuqiu Ferry Schedule here. Once supporting a population of 750 people, the island was taken over by the military in 1977 then returned to civilian rule in 2000. Recommended Fly to Matsu Fly from Taipei Songshan (TSA) to Matsu (MFK) 1h 57m $86 - $151 Cheapest Ferry You can do your best to plan and minimize the risk of bad weather. COVID-19 Travel restrictions may apply. The water around Xiaoliuqiu is so clear that you may spot them afar from. Klook has a fun 1-hr, Situated right below the impressive Lingshan Temple, youll find Xiaoliuqius most iconic sight and probably the most photographed, too Vase Rock (). Learn how your comment data is processed. Difficulty (new Taiwan hiker): 4/10 the steps on the way up are tiring for fresh legs, and you might find it hard navigating the booking process if you dont read Chinese. We cruised around the island on a 80-passenger ferry. The whole tour was about 2 hours. In fact, you can get a harsh fine (up to NT$300, 000) if caught doing so. Disclosure & Privacy Policy. As Liuqiu is an island, the weather is critical in determining the best time/season for a visit. Before you visit, though, its a good idea to check the. A few brave and stocky palms stand on the narrow strip of land that separates the lake from the ocean they must be very sturdy to withstand the typhoons that whip around the island each summer. Scooter rental costs about NT$250-400 for a day. Try not to visit between October and March due to strong winds and lower temperatures making watersports and traveling between the islands by boat absolutely no fun at all. Even the beginners can learn the basics from licensed divers to safely discover a fantastic underwater world. Book your trip from April onwards and itll be a way more worthwhile experience. How to get from Yilan to Turtle Island by train, plane or bus - Rome2rio Guanyin, the much loved goddess of mercy stands on the opposite far shore, holding court over the lake and looking out towards the old village. Last Updated on 9 March, 2023 Table Of Contents How to get to Green Island/Lyudao By Plane By Land / Ferry Can you go from Lyudao to Lanyu or vice versa? Ask about the pricing and requirements to see if it makes sense for you. In its first incarnation the temple was a simple wooden structure which was built in the 1930s to house a Nezha idol brought over from China. ). and swimming with sea turtles to trekking through lush jungles and exploring the islands unique geological caves. A nice guy selling some cooled drinks in front of the beach lets everyone use his bucket of water to wash our sandy feet. Dont forget to bring a swimsuit! You can book through your hotel or Minsu. While Shanfu is a popular place to go, Whats more, the water is the perfect temperature year-round! There was one final call before we cast off, our boat number and itinerary were broadcast on the speaker system, but everyone stayed put, we were all where we needed to be. Xiaoliuqiu Cave Entrance Fee: NT$120 for all three. Rome2Rio makes travelling from Tawi-Tawi Island to Turtle Islands National Park easy. Since the trail is mostly covered with a thick jungle canopy, its the perfect place to escape the harsh rays on a hot summer day. But because the tidal time changes each day, you will have to be flexible to participate. During the day, you can cool off in the spacious pool, and at night, gaze at the stars while you listen to the sounds of crickets and frogs from your balcony. ) The rock is resembling the head of a Native American. How magical is that? Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Xiaoliuqiu might be tiny. Ask about the pricing and requirements to see if it makes sense for you. 10+ Taiwan Travel Tips & Etiquette to Not Look Like a Tourist There are quite a few popular snorkeling spots on the island, and its easy to join a. There is nearby parking for people travelling here by car or scooter. The peak name is actually something of a misnomer. An information board outside has a rather charming black and white class photo in which shows a number of mischievous-looking barefooted boys along with two properly shoed young girls and their teacher standing in front of the school. Indian Rock is my favorite, whoever named it! Penghu is Taiwans popular summer vacation island. Did you know that sea turtles are the largest reptiles of the sea? The brackish water is home to countless Tilapia, and we also saw a few tiny toadlets. Two coast guards clad in high-vis gear man the bridge, counting in each of the visitors and checking that the numbers tally with what our tour leader had on his paperwork. This is something that I could not imagine happening anywhere else. That way, you can easily access maps, plan your stops, and translate Chinese menus on the go. Most flights to Penghu will arrive at Penghu Airport in Magong City (), so it makes sense to plan to start your trip here. (Read also: Go Deeper: A Guide to Diving in Taiwan). It took about 30 minutes to make the crossing, and as the island drew close I went for a wander towards the front of the boat. Zhongao Beach, also called ChungAu Beach, is the largest beach on the island and a firm favorite among beachgoers and sun-seekers. Unfortunately, it was fully booked for two days we were on the island! Towering above the city like the gigantic bamboo stalk it was designed to resemble, Taipei 101 is impossible to miss. In the opposite direction you can see the skinny spit of the turtles tail protruding into the sea. 2023 Taiwan International Balloon Festival in Taitung. Before you hop on a boat to Xiaoliuqiu, stop by Donggang Fish Market. Call the Wushih Harbour Visitor Centre (03-978 9078) or visit in person; it's a short taxi ride from Toucheng station or a 15-minute walk south along the boardwalk from Wai'ao station. I sailed with. Yilan Turtle Island Whale Watching Tour, Yilan, Taiwan - Klook Even on a sunny day, the ride can be choppy. The highlight is dolphin and whale watching. There are eight artillery positions and a few side chambers for storing munitions and the like, all of which are connected by a main tunnel. There are 4 ways to get from Yilan to Turtle Island by train, ferry, bus or plane Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. To the southeast you can see the thermal vents bright blue stain bleeding out into the sea around the turtles head. Wanli UFO Village - New Taipei City, Taiwan - Atlas Obscura An Aquarium or turtle tank - this tank should have a capacity of at least 20 gallons although a 40-gallon breeder is better for housing more than 2 turtles. Local trains also cover this route. Rat Rock is in front of the Indian Rock. You can spot green turtles here. (We didnt see any.). As we can communicate in the local language, we did not need help. Check out my list of the most beautiful and unusual beaches. The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes. Yilan Turtle Island Whale Watching Tour, Yilan, Taiwan - Klook United If youve missed the window, simply cross the street. Find all the transport options for your trip from Tawi-Tawi Island to Turtle Islands National Park right here. that runs at a lower price (NT$200 one way) but with fewer sailing times. This is a great spot to buy seafood. Continuing our clockwise journey around the lake we took a flight of steps on the left. Scooter rental costs about NT$250-400 for a day. The travel advice is Exercise normal safety precautions to Taiwan. Especially if you want to enjoy water activities, I recommend staying one day or two on the island. Dont let its tiny size fool you. Also, be sure not to miss snapping a picture by Penghu Great Bridge (), connecting Baisha to Xiyu, or taking a stroll down Zhongyang Old Street (), where you can admire more fine examples of Penghus architecture. I want to see hotel recommendations when using Rome2Rio Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. A group of 90 islands/islets, the 141 square-kilometer area, known as Penghu County, is Taiwans second smallest county and is the perfect destination for island hopping. The island is named for the resemblance of its topography to a turtle swimming in the ocean. . If youre planning on spending a lot of time near the water, make sure to pack a decent, , it is still possible to rent gear at one of the dive shops in town. Penghus southernmost island, Qimei Island is most commonly visited by people wanting to see the Twin Hearts Stone Weir (), a curved stone weird formed by piled up rocks. >> Ok, so you dont want to get wet but want to see turtles closer? Only a short half hour boat ride from the Taiwan mainland, the island is easily accessible. In case you are not familiar with Omakase, it is a chefs selection menu. Learn More. Visiting Turtle Island was a somewhat significant trip for me, the island had loomed large in my 2020 adventures with the Tamsui-Kavalan Trails its instantly recognisable profile appearing to taunt/encourage me at various points along the trail. No deck to go out. Clearly things werent all rosy because the displaced community has since fought to reclaim their li/community status (li/ is the smallest administrative division in Taiwan and each li has certain rights and powers powers which were taken from the Turtle Island folk after they were integrated into the Daxi Village community). You can bring seafood to a restaurant to cook for your liking. Its then a 30 minute walk (or shorter taxi ride) to the harbour. The whole park is only home to around 50 people, due to lack of jobs etc., but is still worth visiting to see sites such as Dongji Lighthouse. There is much to see on the main islands before youve even considered beginning island hopping, including Taiwans oldest temple, Penghu Tianhou Temple () built all the way back in 1604. We simply tagged along and drove our motorcycle to the Duziping area (). After exploring all the little paths head to the Tranquility Pavilion for one of the best views over the Taiwan Strait. It is a perfect weekend getaway destination from Taipei or Kaohsiung. Snorkeling - Turtle Island The tunnels are bare save for a few pipes and mismatched lights. To be clear from the get-go, if you aren't of Taiwanese or Chinese descent, it's going to be a little tough not to LOOK like an outsider in Taiwan. You will enjoy hearing frogs and spotting birds. Here is what is needed to keep an aquatic turtle. Its sobering to be presented with such a solid reminded of Taiwans need to defend itself. Thanks for sharing. The rooms feature beautifully decorated Scandinavian finishes with bright, modern interiors. The Intertidal Zone is where the land meets the sea. Green turtles are endangered species. Vase Rock is the most iconic tourist attraction in Xiaoliuqiu. is the best snorkeling spot in Xiaoliuqiu, and youre guaranteed to see quite a few turtles. I've been living in Taipei for 10 years, and I still get "welcomed" to Taiwan by friendly locals on nearly a daily basis. Like the island does not have enough nicknames, some people also like to call it mini Okinawa. The best place to swim with green turtles is the Flower Vase Rock. Mariza is a South African who ditched her job in Advertising to teach English in Taiwan. Xiaoliuqiu: An Insanely Detailed Guide to Lambai Island This rock is the iconic landmark (or seamark?) Similar to Japan, Jinguashi's big draw is this Japanese-era mining-complex-turned-tourist-park, where hillside paths connect 1930s offices, workshops and dormitories, and. I felt much safer to join a snorkeling group led by a professional. In 2019, a German teenager posted a photo of himself touching the turtle on social media. Turtle Island - OFF THE BEATEN TRACK This area is safe and appropriate for children as the waves are quite calm thanks to seawall. The bus leaves at 7:10 and should arrive at 8:30 which should just give you time to check in for a 9am departure but youd have to check whether this schedule fits with your boat operator. Over the next two decades there were a couple of unusual deaths among the ranks of the soldiers stationed on the island, and eventually the military higher ups determined that they needed to find a solution that would alleviated the unease. Despite its name, Secret Beach is no longer a secret. Hop on a glass-bottom boat tourto see the exquisite coral, tropical fish, and green turtles. Xiaoliuqiu is only a 30-minute away from Taiwans main island. Explore alone, or join one of our Fijian guides for local knowledge. Turtle Island | Northern Taiwan, Taiwan | Attractions - Lonely Planet You will get to enjoy the island so much better! Also, make sure to book a room with a. as ferry departures depend on the weather conditions. 530. Since most of the attractions in Xiao Liuqiu are quite spread out, its nearly impossible to see all of the islands best bits on foot. >> Pssst! Turtle Island, Taiwan - Cummings & Goings Taipei Kaohsiung Donggang Port Xiaoliuqiu, Swimming with Sea Turtles: Flower Vase Rock, Be Mindful of Green Turtles and the Environment, Where to Spot Green Turtles in Xiaoliuqiu, 7 Most Beautiful Covered Passages in Paris for Rainy Days. I'm an aspiring world traveler, who moved across the Pacific Ocean twice. is a popular season to visit Lamay Island as the temperatures are pleasant with little rainfall. After exiting the tunnel most of us made use of the toilet facilities here since the ones near the main dock were out of use whilst undergoing renovations. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. The counters opened at about 8:30am, so we went to pay the rest of our fees (a NT$300 per person deposit had been paid earlier to reserve the places). Subscribe to Lonely Planet newsletters and promotions.