Dashi Scenic Area lies along the southern coastline of Qimei Island. Its name comes from a massive basalt cliff shaped over millennia by wave erosion—viewed from the right angle, the rock face forms the unmistakable silhouette of a lion crouching and gazing out over the southern seas. Qimei is the southernmost inhabited island of the Penghu archipelago, roughly 30 nautical miles from Magong. Han settlers have fished these waters since the Ming Dynasty, and the island’s population today stands at around 1,600. There are no amusement facilities or entrance gates of the kind common at tourist sites; the coastal landscape is fully exposed to the monsoons and currents of the open Pacific, which is precisely what draws travelers seeking an unmediated outer-island experience.
Highlights
The coastline around Dashi is dominated by columnar basalt. When volcanic lava cooled and contracted uniformly around 7 million years ago, it formed hexagonal joints that remain clearly visible today, their layering especially striking in low-angle light. The cliffs top out at only about 10 to 15 meters, but they face the open southern seas with no shelter whatsoever, and the perpetual wind and surging spray carry a visual and acoustic force far beyond what the height alone suggests.
The lion’s “head” profile is clearest when viewed from the western side of the cliff face. The best vantage point is the viewing platform set back from the edge rather than the cliff rim itself. The area is also a good spot for watching ocean-going fishing vessels and migratory birds: bridled terns and white-winged terns pass through in spring and autumn and occasionally rest on the cliff-top rocks. Cliff-top vegetation, battered low by constant wind pressure, consists almost entirely of salt-tolerant ground cover that leaves the view fully unobstructed.
Getting There and Nearby Attractions
No bus service reaches Dashi Scenic Area. Qimei Island has no public transportation; all attractions require a private or rented vehicle.
The standard route to Qimei is a scheduled ferry from Magong Harbor (Guanquang Pier). Depending on vessel type, the crossing takes 75 to 100 minutes. A 3-minute walk from Qimei Harbor brings you to electric scooter rentals (approximately NT$300–400 per day) and bicycle rentals. Dashi Scenic Area is roughly 3 kilometers south of Qimei Harbor—about 15 minutes by scooter or 30 minutes by bicycle. The road is flat and manageable even for inexperienced riders.
During the summer peak season (approximately late May through early September), travel agencies operate Qimei + Wang-an day-trip packages departing from Magong, with transfers and guided tours included—a convenient option for travelers who prefer not to arrange their own transportation. Direct ferry service from Budai Harbor (Chiayi) to Qimei also runs in summer, suitable for travelers departing from southern Taiwan. Check the current schedule on our ferry page.
Qimei is a compact island, and its three main attractions—Dashi, the Double-Heart Stone Weir, and the Qimei Martyr’s Tomb—form a natural loop that can be completed in half a day. For a full day on the island, small eateries near the Qimei Martyr’s Tomb serve locally caught seafood; stone-pot fish soup is a common offering.