🗺️ Penghu Itinerary 2026
Penghu 3-Day 2-Night
Arrive at noon and hit Magong Old Street — then a southern islands boat tour, Twin Heart Stone Weir, and a full scooter loop around Xiyu
Arrive at noon and hit Magong Old Street — then a southern islands boat tour, Twin Heart Stone Weir, and a full scooter loop around Xiyu
Fly in at noon, check in, then spend the evening wandering Magong's historic lanes and sampling everything at the night market
Flights from Taipei Songshan (TSA) or Taichung (RMQ) take about 40 minutes. Rent a scooter at the airport — NT$300–400/day — that will be your best friend for the entire trip. Check in to your hotel and drop your bags.
✈️ Flight ~40 minStart at the Tianhou Temple (oldest temple in Taiwan, dating back to 1604), then meander through the narrow lanes of the old quarter. The atmosphere here is genuinely different from anywhere else in Taiwan — think weathered coral walls, low traditional houses, and the constant sound of wind off the sea.
🏛️ HistoryRide along the coast to Guanyinting (觀音亭) for the best sunset views in Magong. The waterfront park is popular with locals and has a shallow swimming area. Great spot to sit and watch the light change over the Taiwan Strait.
🌅 SunsetThe Magong Night Market is the local food hub — try oyster vermicelli (蚵仔麵線), peanut ice cream crepes, and fresh seafood grilled right in front of you. Penghu's specialties lean heavily on the sea, so eat as much seafood as you possibly can while you're here.
🍢 Street foodA full-day boat tour to Wang'an and Qimei — the iconic Twin Heart Stone Weir is the highlight, plus basalt sea stacks and clear blue water
Book your southern islands tour the day before — there are several operators at Magong Wharf and prices are usually around NT$800–1,200 per person for a full day including Wang'an and Qimei. The boats depart early, so have breakfast beforehand.
⛵ Boat tourWang'an is famous for its endangered green sea turtles — from May to October, turtles nest on the beaches here. The island has a gentle, unhurried feel. Visit the traditional Hua'an Village (花宅聚落), a well-preserved settlement of coral stone houses that feels completely untouched by modernity.
🐢 Sea turtles (seasonal)The Twin Heart Stone Weir is Penghu's most photographed landmark — two interlocking heart shapes built from basalt stones in the sea, used for centuries as a fish trap. The best view is from the elevated lookout nearby. Come in the morning or late afternoon for the best light. Qimei also has impressive sea stack formations called the "Little Taiwan" rock.
💙 Iconic landmarkMost tours include a free swim stop at one of Qimei's clear-water beaches before heading back. The water around the southern islands is noticeably cleaner than around the main island. Return to Magong by around 17:00, then dinner at one of the seafood restaurants along Zhongzheng Road.
🏊 SwimmingCross the Penghu Great Bridge to the western islands and ride the scooter loop through Xiyu — basalt columns, lighthouses, and windswept coastline before catching your flight home
The Penghu Great Bridge (跨海大橋) connects the main island to Baisha and then to Xiyu. It's one of the longest cross-sea bridges in Asia and the ride itself is a highlight — wind in your face, ocean on both sides. Cross early while the light is good.
🛵 Scooter rideA beautifully preserved traditional Penghu village — all coral stone walls and century-old houses. The village has been converted into a small open-air museum with local craft shops and a simple café. Much quieter than the tourist spots, and genuinely charming.
🏘️ Heritage villageThe basalt formations on Xiyu's coast are some of the most dramatic in Penghu — hexagonal columns rising straight from the sea, formed by ancient volcanic cooling. The Xiaomen Geological Monument (小門地質館) nearby has good explanations of how these formations came to be.
🪨 GeologyThe Western Fort is a 19th-century fortification built during the Qing dynasty — massive stone walls, underground tunnels, and ocean panoramas. Grab lunch at one of the simple restaurants in Xiyu town, then start heading back toward Magong to return your scooter and catch your afternoon flight.
🏰 Historical siteStock up on Penghu specialties before you leave: peanut candy (花生糖), dried seafood, and cactus jam (仙人掌果醬) — the cactus jam here is genuinely unique and makes a great gift. Return your scooter and head to the airport for your flight home.
🛍️ Souvenirs| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| ✈️ Round-trip flight (TSA–MZG) | NT$3,000–4,000 |
| 🏨 Accommodation (2 nights) | NT$2,000–3,000 |
| ⛵ Southern islands boat tour | NT$800–1,200 |
| 🛵 Scooter rental (2–3 days) | NT$600–900 |
| 🍜 Meals (3 days) | NT$1,500–2,000 |
| 🎟️ Entrance fees + misc | NT$500–700 |
| 🛍️ Souvenirs | NT$500–1,000 |
| Total | ~NT$11,300 |
Fly from Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA) or Taichung Airport (RMQ) — flights to Penghu Airport (MZG) take about 40 minutes. Daily Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines flights operate the route. Book at least 2–3 weeks ahead in summer as flights sell out fast. There's no ferry from Taipei; the only boat options are seasonal ferries from Kaohsiung (roughly 8 hours).
June to September is peak season — warm weather, calm seas, and the best conditions for swimming and island-hopping. July and August are the most crowded (and most expensive). May and October are shoulder season — fewer tourists, slightly cooler but still pleasant. Avoid November to March if you can: the northeast monsoon brings near-constant wind that makes outdoor activities uncomfortable.
Yes — NT$11,300 is an average estimate. You can trim costs by staying in a guesthouse (民宿) instead of a hotel, eating at the night market, and booking boat tours through group packages rather than private tours. The main fixed cost is the flight, which can vary widely by season.
Yes, foreign visitors need either a Taiwan driver's license or an international driving permit (IDP) to legally rent and ride a scooter in Taiwan. The IDP must be from a country that has signed the 1968 Vienna Convention or a bilateral agreement with Taiwan. Check with your home country's automobile association before you go.
Three days covers the main highlights comfortably — Magong old town, southern islands, and Xiyu. If you want to go deeper (northern islands, Jibei, snorkeling), 4–5 days is better. That said, many Taiwanese visitors do a 2-night trip and find it satisfying. This itinerary is designed to be do-able without rushing.
The most uniquely Penghu souvenirs: cactus jam (仙人掌果醬) — made from the Penghu cactus fruit, nothing like it elsewhere; peanut candy (花生糖) in its many forms; and dried flying fish or dried squid for something more savory. The airport has decent souvenir shops if you're short on time, but the old street in Magong has more variety and better prices.
Most hotels and guesthouses are in Magong city — close to the wharf, night market, and all island transport