Lanyu Round Island Highway

Do you know where you can catch the first sunrise of a New Year in Taiwan? In fact, it is not Hualien or Taitung, but Dongqing Village on Orchid Island (蘭嶼), which is also called I-va-zo-ga, meaning “the place where the sun rises earliest”. Dongqing Village is located on the north east coast of Orchid Island. It is the furthest village from Kaiyuan Habor (開元港) and the airport, located between Langdao Village (朗島部落) and Yeyin Village (野銀部落). When you first drive into Dongqing, the giant colored tree trunk near the shore will catch your eye. Sometimes you can see the aboriginal summer fishing boats lying on the beautiful rocky beach, apparently ready to spring to attention to catch fish at any time. In the morning, this is the best place to witness sunrise on Orchid Island. In the evening, compared to the much busier area near Kaiyuan Harbor, the beach at Dongqing is more serene and comfortable. On the way to Dongqing Village from Langdao Village, there is the famous Lover’s Cave (情人洞), as well as a secret spot recommended by the locals. While in Dongqing, you don’t need to worry about getting hungry. All meals, from breakfast to a midnight snack, are tasty. Take it from us, those who come to Dongqing won’t necessarily see it as “travelling” or “being a tourist”, but more as a wonderful “way of life”.

Orchid Island Weather Station is situated in the mountainous area of Orchid Island (蘭嶼島)and is accessible via the highway that runs across the island. The Weather Station is famous for being the best look-out place for getting a view of Orchid Island. Weather Station was constructed during the Japanese colonial era in order to observe the movements of typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. At that time, it was called Red Head Island Weather Station (紅頭嶼測候所). During the Second World War, it was severely damaged by the US Army but was renovated after the war, most sections being restored from the original Japanese model, although one ruin where the roof has collapsed still remains.

Weather Station is not just suitable for observing weather. Because of its panoramic view, it is also the prime spot for watching sunrise or sunset, or star-gazing. On a summer evening, one of the best things to do is to ride your scooter here and lose yourself staring at the Milky Way. Staying here overnight to wait for the morning sunrise is also very memorable. Because the road to Weather Station is bumpy and unlit by streetlights, you need to be careful if you drive here at night. It is recommended that you park your scooter at the turn-off to Weather Station and walk here by foot.

Hongtou Village (also known as imorod) is on the south west coast of Orchid Island (蘭嶼), situated next to Yuren Village (漁人部落). The famous Badai Bay (八代灣) is located near the village and is a pleasant place to stroll on the sand, enjoying the beautiful sunset. Orchid Island used to be called Hongtouyu (Red Head Island, 紅頭嶼) in Taiwanese Hokkien. The origin of this name comes from the Japanese colonial period, when the Japanese used to watch the mountain behind Hongtou Village become illuminated in red every day when the sun set. The only local health bureau and post office on Orchid Island are situated in Hongtou Village, making it relatively more convenient than other villages on the island.

This is also the starting place for the highway that crosses the island, which quickly reaches Yeyin (野銀) and Dongqing Village (東清部落) on the other side of the island. If you are heading south, you can’t miss the entrance to the Big Heavenly Lake (Datianchi, 大天池). In front of Hongtou Village, there is a scooter rental shop which also sells cooling taro icecream (芋頭冰). Badai Bay nearby is a very important fishing site, and is not far from the remains of a huge ship-wreck. It is not only beautiful island scenery that will delight you in Hongtou Village, but also the wonderful blend of Han and Tao cultures.

Langdao Village (also known as iraralay) is located on the northern coast of Orchid Island (蘭嶼島). When the highway that crosses the island had not yet been built, those wanting to get to Dongqing Village (東清部落) and Yeyou Village (椰油部落) needed to first pass through Langdao Village. The name of the village means “politeness” in the local indigenous language, thus called because residents here like to amicably greet passers-by. Nowadays, Langdao Village is divided into upper and lower areas. Older residents tend to live in the lower part of the village’s residential area. On the other hand, mostly younger people live in the upper part of the village in newer concrete houses. Therefore, in Langdao, it is still possible to see traditional underground aboriginal houses, like that in Yeyin Village, as well as modern concrete houses. The conflict between the new and the old is tangible here.

The area of Langdao Village is the largest of Orchid Island’s six villages. The geology here is amazing. There are many peculiar rocks spread around the village, like the famous Lion Couple Rock (雙獅岩) and the Warship Rock (軍艦岩), both located between Langdao Village and Dongqing Village. Beauty Rock (玉女岩) and Five Hole Cave (五孔洞, ji-karaReman), with its strange shape, are located between Langdao Village and Yeyou Village. Five Hole Cave is a sea cave created by risen sea cliffs. Every one of its holes has a different significance according to legend. It is rumored that Five Hole Cave, which used to be the home of evil spirits, was once not suitable for women or children to visit. Today, the Presbyterian Church prays at this site, and it is considered one of the holiest sites of prayer on Orchid Island. This prayer space formed by nature is well-worth a visit.