The South Penghu Marine National Park, the ninth national park and the second marine national park of Taiwan is born in 2014 after ratified by the Executive Yuan and announced by Ministry of the Interior. It is located between Wangan and Chimei of Penghu and consists of four main islands Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, Donyupingyu,Xiyupingyu, many islets, rocks and surrounding waters.
China coastal current, a branch of Kuroshio current and south China sea current meet in his area. In winter, the China coastal current flow toward south. In summer, the south China sea current and a branch of Kuroshio current mix together and flow toward north.They bring abundant nutrient which nourish bountiful marine life. Species distributed in waters both north and south of Taiwan can be commonly found in this area. There are 254 fish species recorded here and at least 28 of them are newly recorded species in Penghu.
The ecosystem is unique and has a high species diversity compare to the other area of Penghu archipelago. Besides, one of the most health coral reef ecosystems of Taiwan can be found here because of its clear water and rich sunlight.
There was a chilling injury killed a lot of marine life in the north of Penghu in 2008. The disaster happened again in 2010 threatened the marine life which was still weak. However, we can find hope in the warm south. The harm from the disasters to the marine life in the south was limited. The sea here can be the nursing ground for the threatened species. Moreover,the genetic resources of the ecosystem in the south can secure the marine biodiversity for the northern Penghu archipelago.
About 8 million years ago, when the latest magma erupted onto the sea surface in Taiwan Strait, Dongyupingyu has been born. The islands was created by the volcanic activities and curved by the coastal erosion which show highly diverse landforms such as magnificent columnar basalt, unique blowhole which is called “Tsau-Lang”, The Eye of Dongji formed by the intrusive basalt,beach rock formed by piling up shell fossils, wave-cut grooves, sea caves,sea stacks, sea arches and wave-cut platforms. All these variations are God’s amazing creation.
There are western style houses,traditional Penghu houses and Caizhai which compose unique cultural landscape on the islands. The design of western style houses was a mixing of western and Japanese style. Traditional Penghu houses and Caizhai were built by piling up white rocks (coral reef rocks) and black rocks (basalt rocks).
All of these architectures are important cultural heritage of Penghu which presents the adaptation of the island people to the environment.
The pristine blue waters, black and white rocks, abundant marine natural resources, magnificent natural landforms and rich cultural landscapes are distinguishing features make the South Penghu Marine National Park sparking in the far corners of the sea.
Columnar basalt in Xiyupingyu
Sea stack
"A building of Dongjiyu
Traditional Penghu houses
Dongyupingyu and Xiyupingyu
Linckia laevigata
Due to the isolated environment of the four islands of southern Penghu plus the transition of industrial structures, inconvenient traffic and poor materials supply in recent decades, the population gradually relocates outside of Penghu. Therefore, except for a few residents that remain on the island, only a few visitors appear during week days.
The four islands of southern Penghu have not been over-developed, thus all the resources such as natural ecology, geological landscapes or historical monuments remain original, low-polluted and natural appearances. Moreover, those coral reefs with extremely high coverage rate in surrounding waters are precious assets of the ocean, hence the diverse ecological environment in the four islands of southern Penghu is worthy for tourism.