The main island of Taiwan is so replete with attractions and destinations that you could spend years there, and still not experience all of then. I am living proof of this!
At the same time, some of my most unforgettable trips in Taiwan have occurred offshore. This was true both when I lived in Taiwan during covid, and had to substitute an excursion to Kinmen for my usual jaunts to Japan and Thailand, and on trips I’ve taken since I left, such as my recent one to Lanyu and Lyudao.
Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive Taiwan outlying islands travel guide, or are just curious what along the horizon, you’re in the right place.
Why I Started Explore Taiwan’s Outlying Islands
Four years ago, I didn’t imagine I’d ever create a Taiwan offshore islands itinerary. Of course, at that time, I didn’t imagine that most of Asia would keep its borders closed for the better part of three years—but I digress. The main reason I started exploring islands off the coast of Taiwan, if I’m honest, is that I had cabin fever. I couldn’t take my normal medium- and long-haul trips. I was restless. Maybe even a little bored, as guilty as I feel saying that.
With that being said, the first trip I took to an offshore island—Kinmen, in July of 2020—changed something in me. I’d already seen most of mainland Taiwan by that time, mind you, and was perhaps a bit arrogant about how well I knew the country. But whether it was the Min-style houses, which I’d never seen anywhere else in Taiwan, the eerie proximity of China or how few tourists there were, I knew that trip would be the first of many. And it was.
My Favorite Offshore Taiwan Islands
Lanyu (Orchid Island)
My visit to Lanyu, known in English as Orchid Island, was literally years in the making—and I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint. In fact, even disregarding individual attractions (well, to the extent that somewhere like this even has them), Lanyu is probably the most unique place I’ve ever been in Taiwan. It doesn’t feel like Taiwan, in fact, or really anywhere else in the world for that matter. It’s worth whatever trouble comes up on your way there!
Lyudao (Green Island)
Another of my favorite Taiwan offshore islands is Lanyu’s closest neighbor, which is Green Island, aka Lyudao. Rather than feeling like another country or planet, Lyudao almost seems like Taiwan in miniature, albeit with much more dramatic scenery (and, frankly, better beaches), with the so-called Little Great Wall and Blue Eye cave being especially impressive. Plus, it’s closer to Taitung than Lanyu, and has way better infrastructure.
Kinmen
As I described earlier in this post, Kinmen (which, somewhat weirdly, is pronounced Jin-men in Chinese) was the first Taiwanese offshore island I visited. And to some extent it’s the one that sticks most with me, because of just how foreign its architecture and culture seemed at a time when I was legally forbidden from leaving Taiwan’s borders. It’s also so close to Xiamen, China that you can see the city, so there’s that.
Penghu
On the other hand, Penghu is probably my least favorite of the Taiwan outlying islands I’ve visited, though I don’t hate it. Rather, it’s that the beaches looked better from overhead than they did at ground level. Well, and it felt surprisingly touristic for someplace so hard to reach. Still, it’s not a bad place to spend a weekend, especially if you’re living in Taipei and need a break.
Smaller offshore islands in Taiwan
I divide these islands into two basic categories. Some of them are like Yilan‘s Guishan or Turtle Island, which is basically uninhabited and is effectively only accessible via guided tour from the mainland (but still close enough to be an easy day trip). Others are like Cijin, in Kaohsiung, which you can reach by public transport (a short cross-water ferry) and basically feels like an extension of the city.
How to Get to Taiwan’s Offshore Islands
Reaching Taiwan’s offshore islands almost always requires a flight. This is certainly the case for ones like Kinmen and Penghu, which take so long to reach by ferry it isn’t practical for tourists. Obviously, for the closer-in islands on this Taiwan outlying islands travel guide, like Turtle Island and Cijin, boat is the only way to go. These islands don’t have airports, to say nothing of them literally being just offshore.
It’s a bit more ambiguous for Lyudao and Lanyu. On one hand, these islands are just one and three hours from Taitung, by ferry, respectively; booking flights can be challenging or impossible, assuming they even take off at all—they often get canceled. On the other hand, these ferries are so notoriously rough that many would rather forgo their trips than take them, even if I personally didn’t find the one to Lanyu (which has the worst reputation) so bad.
Other FAQ About Taiwan’s Outlying Islands
Who owns the islands in Taiwan Strait?
Although China and its sympathizers would like to believe otherwise, Taiwan owns islands like Kinmen and Penghu, in spite of the fact that these islands sit geographically closer to the Chinese mainland than to Taiwan. Islands also consider themselves proudly Taiwanese, which I’d imagine the CCP must hate.
What is the most beautiful island in Taiwan?
It’s impossible to say, objectively, which of Taiwan’s offshore islands is the most beautiful. Lanyu feels the most unlike the others; Lyudao has the fiercest natural beauty; Kinmen has the best architecture; and Penghu is the most eclectic. They’re all worth visiting, if you ask me.
How many islands does Taiwan own?
Technically speaking, Taiwan has a whopping 168 islands within its territorial boundaries. However, only about half a dozen of these are of any interest to tourists. These range from ones far offshore like Kinmen, Penghu, Lanyu and Lyudao, to ones not far from the mainland, including Turtle Island (near Yilan) and Cijin, just off Kaohsiung.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Taiwan outlying islands travel guide helpful. The idea of getting on another plane after coming all the way to Taiwan can be stressful, especially given all there is to enjoy on the main island. But I’m telling you: Taiwan’s offshore islands are the jewels in the crown! Head northwestward to Kinmen for an unforgettable mix of history and scenery, or to Lanyu in the southeast to feel like you’re at the ends of the earth. Or choose destinations like Penghu and Lyudao, where better infrastructure can make your journey off the beaten path feel like less of a slog. Most importantly, you should consider hiring me to plan your trip to Taiwan.
