Penghu, one of the counties of Taiwan, is located in the Taiwan Straits between the west side of Taiwan and the mainland. Penghu, also called Penghu Lieh Tao (Pescadores), consists of 64 small isles. The total area of the Penghu Islands is 1,260 square miles, with a population of more than 114,700. It is said that Penghu was inhabited even before the Sui dynasty. According to written history, in 610 A. D. Sui Yang Ti sent General Chen Leng to administer Penghu and thereafter it legally was China's territory. With the removal of the Sung dynasty capital to southern China, many people living along the coast crossed the straits to the Penghu Islands to escape from the war. Yuan Hui Tsung officially established a command office there. This office was withdrawn in 1387. The inhabitants were moved to the mainland. In 1661 Cheng Cheng-kung (Koxinga) sailed with his troops to Penghu and Taiwan. He stationed troops and succeeded in opening up the islands for Chinese settlement. Taiwan and Penghu thereafter were combined under a single rule and served as a shield for each other. In 1 895 Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were ceded to Japan. It was not until 1945 that Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were returned to the Republic of China. The Government moved to Taiwan in 1949 and the Penghu Islands once again became a shield for Taiwan. The Government has, since then, been consolidating the islands and engaging in various construction work.
The Penghu Islands originally were windy, barren lands with the soil f ull of sand and pebbles. Many remains of ancient buildings and dilapidated stone fences were deserted and in ruins. When rehabilitation began at that time, misery and suffering were everywhere among the islanders. During the past 20 years, the government, together with local civilians and military personnel, pushed construction work. The Penghu Islands today, have become green, beautiful islands with trees and grass everywhere. That "Man's determination will conquer Nature" is once again proved there. Makung, the location of the Penghu County government and also the political, economic, cultural and transportation center, has tall buildings, and a modern harbor and airport. The islands have a good road system and many stores, hotels, restaurants and hostels. The soil of the Penghu Islands is a mixture of sand and clay. Major agricultural products include sweet potatoes, peanuts and melons. Watermelons and Hami melons are juicy and delicious.
Half of the inhabitants of the Penghu Islands are fishermen and half farmers. There are 1,990 motorized fishing boats and 1,339 sampans used for fishing. Sea products pile up in the stores of Makung, including decorative items made from shells, corals, hawksbill turtle shells and "sea trees" (a kind of sea weed). A mounted lobster is made as vivid as if alive. All these offerings receive much interest from tourists. Among the mineral products of Penghu, streak stone and golden star stone are well-known. They are used in making low priced but unique inlaid items. There are many such tourist attractions as Wen Shih Academy, the Beauties Tomb and the Lintou Park. Behind every historic spot is a touching story the inhabitants of the islands are pleased to tell tourists coming from far away. The Penghu Bay Bridge which linksMakung, Huhsi, Paisha and Hsiyu islands stretches 5,541 meters. Buildings was started in 1965 and completed in 1970. The total cost reached more than NT$95,000,000. It is called the longest bridge in the Far East . Seen from afar, it resembles a rainbow above the sea.
Waterwork of the Seven Beauties Island
The magnificent Penghu Bay Bridge, a favorite of photographers
Small isles of the Penghu Islands
The Whale Cave of Hsiyu, one of Penghu scenic views
The Seven Beauties Tomb, where the martyr girls are buried
The Seven Beauties Elementary School
An old city gate-Penghu was settled before Taiwan
A quiet and clean community, typical of Penghu
A pavilion for watching the tide, a pastime of peaceful Penghu
The ancient arch before the Wen Shih Academy
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