In Penghu Waters

The open space outside the building is creatively designed with beautiful gardens and gigantic eye-catching statues of various sea animals, including a huge shark's jaw and amiable-looking dolphins. A kid's playground lightens up the atmosphere while a few big sculptures of lobsters and crabs animate the parking lot.

Even though the aquarium is not the biggest in the country, the assortment of marine life there makes up for its small size.

The aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is NT$200 for adults, NT$150 for students, and free for children under 110 centimeters tall.

After seeing what's underwater, let's go take a look at what's on top.

A Never-Ending Bridge?

Over the water, connecting the islands of Baisha and Siyu is Penghu's Cross-Sea Bridge, also known as the Trans-Oceanic Bridge. Locals have often referred to it as “the Great Bridge” as well, for its magnificent combination of form and function.

Not only does the bridge make one of the prettiest Penghu Islands accessible, the 2.5-kilometers long span is also, impressively, one of the longest trans-ocean bridges in East Asia.

The bridge crosses Houmen Channel, which the locals consider dangerous due to its depth and rapid tides; many ships were wrecked here before the bridge was built.

At the entrance of the bridge sits a graceful arch that has long held symbolic meaning. Whilst traveling on the bridge, I was overwhelmed by the amazing ocean view on both sides.

Locals said the most romantic sunset views are often being captured here; the view of a golden yellow sky merging with a dark blue sea is astonishing.

In the evenings, when the caution lights on the bridge twinkle, you see from a distance a sea of shining stars.

Note: It gets very windy here at night (even in summer), so make sure you bring a light jacket!

The next stop is back on Penghu land in an old village of Baisha Township.

Not A Forest, But A Tree

Tongliang Village, situated south of town, is a 5-minute drive from the Great Bridge. The village is popular destination because of Bao An Temple, but even more so because of the 300-plus-year-old Great Banyan located in front of the temple.

The Great Banyan's 90 some aerial roots have, over time, penetrated the ground and grown into many trunks, covering approximately 660 square meters of the area – visitors often mistaken the place as a miniature forest with dozens of trees. Standing in the garden, I felt like I was under a massive green umbrella, keeping me in the shade and away from the strong wind.

This giant tree is the largest and oldest in Penghu County. Locals apparently began to respect the temple a lot more because they believed the gods made the Banyan strong, healthy, and long lasting. The magnificent tree adds value to Penghu County, making it another good reason to visit the dynamic Baisha Township.

How to get there:

By air- Flights are available from all Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A return ticket for the 50-minute journey is approximately NT$3,200 per person from Taipei.

By sea- Four-hour ship rides are available from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A return journey costs about NT$1,500 from Kaohsiung.

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