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Header image courtesy of 大鵬灣國家風景區管理處 (via Facebook)
Do you feel like spending time in a place with sand, salty water, and wildlife, but can’t find the right place in Hong Kong? It’s time to discover Liuqiu!
Affectionately dubbed Xiaoliuqiu (“small Liuqiu”), this lesser-known Taiwanese island is a year-round paradise, with temperatures averaging between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius, even in winter. It’s a place to escape the sweltering city heat or the biting winter cold, whenever you visit. From close-up encounters with aquatic lifeforms to scenic walking trails and sandy (or shell-covered) beaches, this handy 48-hour island guide will highlight all the must-visit spots on your trip to Liuqiu, Taiwan.
For a truly local breakfast in Liuqiu, Hong Mama Breakfast Shop is the undisputed top choice for both locals and travellers. It is easy to spot, often with queues forming as early as 7 am. Although it’s open till 11 am, it’s best to arrive early since items tend to sell out quickly. For convenience, the owner has placed typical breakfast items on display, allowing you to see what’s available beforehand, avoiding extended deliberation over the menu once you reach the counter to purchase your food and drinks. Popular items include homemade black tea with milk, scallion fritters, and the island’s exclusive Liuqiu-kueh, all priced under NT$50.
Hong Mama Breakfast Shop, 28–5 Heping Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan | (+886) 8861 4105
Vase Rock Beach features one of Liuqiu’s most iconic sights—the titular Vase Rock, adorned with plants on top. The rock is close enough to shore for a great photo opportunity. Additionally, this beach is one of the best spots for snorkelling with sea turtles on the island. You can rent gear from the nearby Xiuji Snorkeling Shop, book an instructor online, or arrange a snorkelling trip through your hostel or hotel. Life jackets are provided to each customer, and lifebuoys are available upon request, allowing you to get a close-up view of the sea turtles even if you can’t swim!
After searching for sea turtles in their natural habitat, it’s time to recharge with some delicious food. Visit Sanmin Old Street and its extension as the road curves onto Minsheng Road. Here, you can find a variety of popular eateries, such as 小島燒烤, a skewer food stall famous for drawing crowds despite not being listed on Google Maps, or 861 DayDay, know for its adorable pastries shaped like sea turtles. You can also sample fresh seafood dishes at Real Food Seafood Restaurant. In addition to the eateries, there are plenty of shops where you can buy keepsakes or cute souvenirs, such as hemp flower rolls and dried cuttlefish favoured by locals.
861 DayDay, 35–1 Minsheng Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan | (+886) 8861 3056
Real Food Seafood Restaurant, 160 Sanmin Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan | (+886) 8861 2770
So gorgeous that it’s nicknamed the “Venice Beach of Taiwan,” Geban Bay Beach features beautiful shell sand, and is one of the few non-coral reef beaches on Liuqiu island. At 100 metres long, this beach is perfect for a relaxing afternoon, where you can go free-diving, lounge on the sand, or take a stroll in the shallow waters. It’s also a beloved spot for watching the sunset if you’d like to stay till later in the day.
It’s not called Sunset Pavilion for nothing! Famed for offering the best sunset views on the island, this elevated walkway allows you to appreciate the setting sun without any obstructions. Covered benches are scattered throughout the area, providing a place to relax while enjoying the view. If you’re feeling snackish, head to the nearby Siao Ben Aiyu for aiyu jelly in various shapes and sizes, including a sea-turtle edition. A large sea turtle balloon outside the restaurant makes it easy to spot even from afar.
Sunset Pavilion, Huandao Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan
Siao Ben Aiyu, 1 Xinyi Road, Pingtung City, Taiwan | (+886) 8861 4739
A culinary highlight of this guide, 高記在地小吃 is arguably the representative restaurant of Liuqiu Island, evident from the walls covered in customer graffiti that can be seen upon entering. Both locals and travellers flock to this diner for its honey-shaped egg shrimp dish, one of the most famous and challenging dishes to prepare in Liuqiu. Made with fresh shrimp, salted duck egg, and the eatery’s special batter, it achieves a perfect balance of crispiness, chewiness, and freshness. Other popular choices include the fatty-but-not-greasy braised pork with squid, refreshing Liuqiu seaweed, and the seasonal bluefin tuna.
高記在地小吃, 58–5 Zhongshan Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan | (+886) 88614190
There’s always room for dessert, especially after a long, hot day. Small Liuqiu Fa Mama Ice Shop offers generously portioned bowls of icy goodness filled to the brim with fruits or other toppings. Popular items include mango snowflake ice, signature ice (containing taro, glutinous rice balls, pineapple, and sweet potato), and seasonal fruit ice—all delicious choices.
While not exactly a secret, Secret Beach is usually less crowded than Vase Rock Beach, making it a great alternative for snorkelling. Found between Dafu Fishery Port and Haizikou, you can either snorkel or try stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), which makes it easier to capture cute photos while searching for sea turtles. This beach alos showcases the effects of millennia of sea erosion, featuring the uniquely shaped Houshi Fringing Reef and the Rocks of Significance, including the renowned Guanyin Rock, named after the Goddess of Mercy, and the striking Mouse Rock.
Head to the Beauty Cave Scenic Area, where the highlight, the Beauty Cave, has an entrance fee of NT$120, which also grants access to the Wild Boar Ditch and Black Dwarf Cave, making it a worthwhile deal. Named after local legends about a beautiful young woman who lived there centuries ago, the cave showcases the natural beauty Liuqiu’s limestone, featuring fossilised shells, corals, and other naturally occurring decorations on its walls. Multiple food stalls are available at the entrance of all three cave walks, so you don’t have to worry about exploring on an empty stomach.
Next is Wild Boar Ditch, which takes you on a boardwalk loop trail through the forest. Enjoy the leafy shade of tall trees while observing interesting natural formations such as narrow coral corridors, and coral walls with tree roots growing on them. You can choose to detour to Geban Bay via a narrow scooter road or continue on the trail to Black Dwarf Cave, a historical limestone cave thought to be the site of the 1636 Lamey Island Massacre.
Combining history, marine life, and interesting art installations, Shanfu Ecological Corridor makes for a fun walking experience. Entering the area, you descend a staircase into former military grounds. Follow the maze-like military corridors, spanning 400 metres, until you reach two coastal lookout points that once housed military guns. You’ll also have another opportunity to observe sea creatures, as the rock pools and coast at low tide reveals a delicate ecosystem full of critters and fish. Be cautions of sea urchins to avoid any injuries!
Continuing along the trail, you’ll enter a wooded area adorned with tiny sculptures hidden in various spots, turning your stroll into a fun game of discovery. At the top, you’ll find the sea-gazing room, an art installation perfect for capturing photos.
For an unforgettable sunset-viewing experience, consider watching the sun set while sea turtles swim just inches away! Discover Lamay offers a sunset package aboard its semi-submarines, allowing passengers to enjoy the sunset on deck, with a choice of drinks provided at the bar. For a truly stunning sight, head below deck to the submerged part of the submarine, where you can marvel at the turtles swimming just beyond the see-through panels.
A classic destination on any trip to Taiwan, the night market on Liuqiu offers everything you’d expect: tasty bites that are easy to carry, funky desserts, and traditional arcade-style games. What sets the Liuqiu Tourist Night Market apart is its commitment to environmental friendliness— most food vendors provide trays or even Tupperwares for customers to hold their food, reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste typically generated at night markets. With sea turtles’ living quarters so close by, it’s important to do our part for the environment.
If you’re not ready to leave the water yet, Chill High High is a perfect way to end your trip on a high note. With its own swimming pool, spacious lawn, and resort-style décor, it feels like a true summer vacation. It’s ideal for groups travelling with friends, especially with its enticing all-you-can-drink offers. Frequent DJ events and water activities allow you to enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Taiwan right on charming Liuqiu!
Punita is currently an English major at Durham University. As a longtime bookworm, she is passionate about all forms of storytelling. When she’s not stuck in a bookstore or cheering for a celebrity, you can always find her wandering the streets of Hong Kong on the lookout for stray cats.
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