As part of the Matsu (馬祖) island chain, Dongin is located in the northern portion of Taiwan, and accessible only by boat. Direct ferries from Keelung to Dongin take approximately eight hours; however, to combat the time lag many visitors often plan their departure for night so that they arrive the next morning. A faster travel option would be to take a one-hour plane flight from one of the local airports to the island of Nangan (南竿) and get on a ferry to Dongin, which takes an additional two hours. Either way, arriving at the Dongin harbor by boat provides a scenic view of the waterfront, which is only a preview of the attractions to come.

At the easternmost part of the island stands the majestic Dongyong Lighthouse (東湧燈塔) that has been operational since the late Ching dynasty. A short but windy climb up its zigzagging staircase gives a bird's eye view of the expansive ocean, along with a closer look at its architectural beauty. This structure, with its brilliant white façade, provides a stunning contrast when viewed against the deep blue of the ocean waters and the sky.

Near the lighthouse lies another breathtaking beauty – rather than being man-made however, it has been sculpted and chiseled by nature over thousands of years. Suicide Cliff (烈女義坑) is a gut-wrenchingly deep chasm that has suffered erosion from both wind and water, and is named after a tale enveloped in tragedy.

According to legend, a young and beautiful maiden was being chased by bandits, and leapt to her death to preserve her virtue rather than face being violated by her would-be captors. Villagers were so moved by her actions that they named the cliff in her honor.Whereas Suicide Cliff forms a fairly wide gap, a nearby formation named A Thread of Sky (一線天) consists of two vertical cliffs that form a very narrow opening, providing just the slightest glimpse of the sky and ocean that lie just beyond the rocks. The sound of the waves lapping against the cliff walls along with the view provides a picturesque site to enjoy. (While visitors are welcome, because 'A Thread of Sky' is located in an area under military control, an application must be filled out prior to visiting.)

While one can get outside views of Dongin's many cliffs, for a unique "inside" view of the rock formations, one must visit the An Dong Tunnel (安東坑道). This former military site was built by chiseling several hundred meters underground through the mountains; by following a steep incline down from the entrance, one can wander through the labrynth of tunnels and see the soldiers' former living quarters.

Furthermore, the tunnels abruptly end once they penetrate through the mountain, providing a view of the steep drop to the ocean below, as well as nearby rock formations that are given names such as the Rat Sands or the Long Nose. With perhaps a bit of imagination and squinting, the rocks' resemblance to their namesakes begins to emerge after a while.

During the summer months, Black Tailed Gulls are also visible from the tunnels' vantage points; their presence is particularly noticeable in the afternoon, when several of these birds may be seen soaring along on waves of wind.

In addition to birds, another point of interest in Dongin is the Guo Zhi Bei Jiang (國之北疆), or the northernmost part of Taiwan. There is a small hill to climb to get to the marker, but after snapping the requisite picture with the sign, don't forget to take the time to look around the area. On a clear day, one can see mainland China with the naked eye; also, if you're lucky, a gorgeous sunset could present itself for an enhanced experience.

While the geographic location of Guo Zhi Bei Jiang is a standout feature of the island, it is by no means the only attribute that makes this place worth visiting. Rather, it is the artful combination of human constructs coupled with the presence of the raw natural elements that have shaped Dongin into one of the most unique among all the collective islands of Taiwan.

For more information on airplane flights, please visit http://www.uniair.com.tw or call (02) 2518-5166

For more information about the Keelung Ferry please visit http://www.shinhwa.com.tw or call (02) 2424-6868

For more information about the Matsu inter-island ferry, please visit http://www.matsu-news.gov.tw/ftp_data/lai.htm or call (0836) 22193