Slow pace, friendly locals at Hsiao Liu Chiu

Situated 18 nautical miles north of Kaohsiung (高雄), Hsiao Liu Chiu can be reached via Pingtung County’s (屏東縣) bustling port town, Dung Gang (東港). Dung Gang is conveniently located near the southern end of the picturesque highway number three or, 30 kilometers south of Kaohsiung, off Highway 17.

There are a couple of boating companies making the 25-minute run to Hsiao Liu Chiu, but the government-run ferry is the cheapest and will take you to the sleepy little port of Da Fu (大幅漁港) for NT$180 one way or save ten bucks and buy a return ticket. Arriving at the port you will be greeted by friendly touts trying to sell rooms, motorcycles or food.

Rather than dealing with prices in an unfamiliar place, we took the public bus (NT$10) to Bai Sha Street area (白沙尾區)via the lovely inland Jung Shan Road(中山路). Alternately, you can take the slightly more expensive privately-owned ships for more convenient travel times which go directly to Bai Sha Port (白沙港), and walk into town.

I found the rooms to be fairly pricey, with four of us (two adults, two children) staying in a room for NT$800, and standard room prices were in the NT$1,000 range (not holiday prices). Bargaining is definitely called for. Camping would be ideal on Shiao Liu Chiu.

Any beach would be perfect for pitching a tent, but for luxury camping the shamajidao (沙瑪基島露營渡假區) campground has spots to pitch a tent for NT$350 per person which includes beautiful showering and eating facilities. There are also cabin-style rooms for two ranging from NT$1,000 for basic (no bathroom) and climbing to NT$3,000 (bathroom included). I was told the in-room plumbing in the more expensive units made the rooms rather musty. This would be a great option for families.

There are lots of ways to get around the island such as on bicycle, boat or car. With the island’s total area being only 6.8 square km, walking is also a great option if you have the time. Strangely, rental tour buses are also available. Motorcycles went for about 200 per day (off-season), just pick a tout and start haggling. Or, take your bike on the government ferry for NT$100 each way.

The island is packed with tourist sites, many of which charge an admission fee of NT$120. A helpful bit of advice I got from a local was to scout the places after five o’clock, as there is no entrance fee then. This way you can get an idea of what is worth paying for, as all tastes differ and the fees start to add up. One of the most famous sites on Hsiao Liu Chiu is the iconic Vase Rock (花瓶岩).

This is an attraction that is free. Walk around the Bai Sha Port and head out toward the sea, follow the little road past the Ling Shan Temple (靈山寺) and when the road ends there is a lovely wooden boardwalk called Ling Shan Temple walk (靈山寺健行步道) with a view of the Vase Rock. The sea here is shallow with a breakwater to protect you from any rips.

The boardwalk affords views of the smokestacks of Kaohsiung all the way across the strait. Continuing counterclockwise around the island you will come across Mei Ren Caves (美人洞), a maritime museum (小琉球海底動物園), Tsai Fu ecological walk (杉服生態廊道), Boar Cave nature trail (山豬坑生態步), Venice Beach (威尼斯海灘) and Black Ghost Cave (烏鬼洞). All the way on the other side of the island there is a thick stone seaside area (厚石海岸) and Prawn cave (龍蝦洞).

1|2|Next Page>>

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email