Little Ryukyu

Lobster Cave is located on the east coast of Xiaoliuqiui, at the coral coast next to Yufu Village (漁福村). There are highly developed sea trenches here, as well as natural potholes. It is a secret sight which is suitable for appreciating the sea view and listening to the waves at dusk. Yufu Village is a quiet little fishing place, without much of a tourist atmosphere. You can see a lot of cleared land planted with fruit and vegetables to provide a self-sufficient life for the residents here. Simple boats which seem to sail out of the dock every day, and fishing nets on their hulls, leave clues about the life of the villagers. Near the sea, there are some B&Bs which have colourful walls and are stylishly built. Nearby Yufu, there is Yufu Fishing Village which, unlike Baishawei Wharf and Dafu Fish Port, is not busy, instead enjoying a relaxing atmosphere. Walking south of Yufu Wharf, you can take a path through coral to reach Lobster Cave, which is not just a cave, but in fact a long stretch of marine environment. When you are walking on the debris of the coral reef, be very careful because not to lose your balance or you will be cut by the sharp coral. Look out for the occasional crabs and lobsters feeding. Those travellers who like to appreciate surprises along the way will find Lobster Cave a worthy destination for an adventure.

When you first hear its name, Beauty Cave, located on the north coast of Xiaoliuqiu might strike you as somewhere men might like to visit. But just like the stories behind many of the other attractions at Xiaoliuqiu, the name of Beauty Cave comes from a tragic legend. It is rumored that during the Ming dynasty, a shipwreck struck a beautiful woman from Suzhou while she was travelling with her father. Using a piece of ship deck to keep her afloat, she drifted to this island, but eventually died of hunger. Rumors have it that this beautiful woman sometimes appears at night at this cave, so local people call it Beauty Cave. Of course, the authenticity of the story depends on who you are speaking to, but the beauty of this highly developed coral landscape is worth a visit in any case.

A footpath of a total length of four kilometers is split into two by a road around the island. On the road you will pass twenty coral caves. When you pass through the caves, be careful not to be stabbed by the sharp coral. Many common sea plants, such as terminalia (欖仁) and Dye Fig (山豬枷) will be consistently by your side as you walk. Occasionally, when you emerge from the forest, you will see the open sea-scape all of a sudden. While you are sitting in the pavilion with the sea breeze on your face, make sure to look out for traces of the elusive sea turtle, or come here to wait until you see a beauty appear. Put on your backpack and wade into adventure at Beauty Cave!

Xiaoliuqiu is the only coral island in Taiwan and has a similar limestone terrain to Kenting in southern Taiwan. Even though spectacular stalactite caves have not developed here, there are many well-developed limestone caves, of which Black Dwarf Cave in the southwest corner of Xiaoliuqiu is one of the best examples. For the local residents, this cave has always been shrouded in mystery. It is rumored that when Koxinga conquered Taiwan and expelled the Dutch colonizers, a small number of black slaves were abandoned here, living in hiding between the gaps of the rocks. It is said that many stone tables and chairs were found in the Qing dynasty. Unfortunately, now that the main cave entrance has collapsed, visitors cannot enter so easily, and there is only one narrow passage to allow you inside to explore. When you enter, you need to be prepared with a flashlight so that you can clearly see the road in front of you. Visitors of larger stature may not be able to pass inside. Next to the entrance of the cave, there is the spirit tablet of Black Dwarf Cave next to a mottled monument, a tribute table and an incense holder. These all add to the mystery of this place. Let’s see if you have the guts to go inside!

Of course, if you are not interested in ghost stories, there is also a high reef coral landscape worth seeing, especially its massive Banyan trees, whose roots cover the coral reef as though they were kings. Crabs (cardimosa carnifax) scuttle around between the crevices of the rocks. There is no doubt that you will feel the power of life here. An exhibition of small wooden sculptures is near the cave, and visitors can briefly rest there. If you come in the summer, you can order a mango ice bowl which will relieve you from the heat right away. Something else worth mentioning is the old woman who sells coral grass (珊瑚草海燕窩) nearby. What a treat to come here to taste this dessert full of the flavors of the ocean.

Sunset Pavilion is a renowned spot on Xiaoliuqiu Island, offering one of the best locations to view the sunset. Situated on a coastal high ground on the southwestern side of the island, it provides a vast, 180-degree panoramic view of the ocean. In the evening, visitors can relax in the gazebo or on the wooden observation deck, enjoying the spectacular sight of the sun slowly sinking into the Taiwan Strait, as the sky and sea are painted in vibrant shades of orange, red, and purple.

Beyond its primary function as a sunset viewing spot, the pavilion is also an excellent place for stargazing after nightfall, where you might even catch a glimpse of the Milky Way on a clear night. The coastline features unique coral reef formations, and walking along the coast offers a distinct island experience. The area is well-maintained with pleasant pathways and green spaces, making it an ideal place for relaxation.

Vase Rock is one of the most famous attractions of Xiaoliuqiu. When they think of Xiaoliuqiu, many Taiwanese people immediately think of Vase Rock. Vase Rock is located near the northeast coast’s Baishawei Wharf, which is the main port of Xiaoliuqiu. As the name hints, the coral reef has been shaped to resemble a vase as a result of tectonic uplift. Over time, the foundation of Vase Rock has been consistently eroded by sea waves, making it gradually narrower. This, coupled, with the vines on top of the rock, make it look even more like a vase. The uniqueness of its shape makes it a destination for many who love photography. No matter whether silhouetted by the sea, or captured with yellow skies and black clouds as a background instead, your photo is guaranteed to be as beautiful as a painting. You can choose a morning with a clear sky and take a photo of Vase Rock and the sunrise together - never a bad idea. Some people prefer to wait until late at night to take photos of Vase Rock under the Milky Way in a light painting. This is definitely a good place for photographers to play with their own ingenuity and creativity. If you like photography, you can’t miss it!