Wang-an Island sits in the southern part of the Penghu archipelago, serving as a staging point north of Qimei and standing out among Penghu’s outer islands for the depth of both its cultural heritage and natural environment. The Huazhai stone-house cluster (Zhongshe Village) preserves the most complete traditional stone-courtyard settlement in Penghu — its walled compounds, old wells, and temples standing quietly in abandoned fields — and has been placed on the World Heritage tentative list. At the island’s southern tip, the green sea turtle conservation area is the only site in Taiwan where publicly accessible guided evening programs are offered during the nesting season. Every spring, wild purslane carpets much of the island in pink, orange, and white, creating one of the most striking natural displays in the southern Penghu Sea.
What to See
Huazhai (Zhongshe Village) is Wang-an’s most significant cultural asset. The settlement dates to the late Ming dynasty, originally a mixed community of Hoklo and Hakka migrants. More than a hundred stone-courtyard houses survive; most are unoccupied, though a few elderly residents still live among them. Construction uses local coral limestone (known locally as laogushi) and basalt, giving the rough-textured walls a rugged plainness that contrasts with the surrounding abandoned, yellow-brown fields. Walking through the settlement takes 30–45 minutes; there are no shops or commercial facilities. It is a walk through a largely deserted village with little changed from an earlier era.
Green Sea Turtle Conservation Area occupies the beaches at the island’s southern end, where nesting peaks from July to September. Wang-an is one of the few places in Taiwan with consistent recorded turtle landings and is a priority conservation habitat for Penghu County. The evening programs are run by the Wang-an Township Office, require advance registration, and have very limited places.
The spring purslane bloom is another highlight. Wild Portulaca blooms across the island in April and May in shades of pink, orange-yellow, and white; the vivid colors stand out against dark basalt ground and stone walls, drawing photographers to make the trip south to Wang-an.
Getting There and Around
There is no bus service to Wang-an. The island is reached only by ferry from Magong Harbor, departing from the South Sea Visitor Center. The crossing takes approximately 60–80 minutes depending on sea conditions. Typically 2–3 daily departures operate (more during peak season); check in advance, as services may be cancelled in bad weather. Many visitors combine Wang-an with Qimei on a two-day or day-trip itinerary, stopping at Wang-an for 2–4 hours before continuing to Qimei, or disembarking at Wang-an on the return from Qimei.
There is no bus service on the island itself. Transport is on foot or by electric scooter, which can be rented from guesthouses or near the ferry pier. The island covers approximately 17 square kilometres; the main points of interest — Huazhai, the pier, and the southern beaches — are 10–15 minutes apart by scooter. Staying at least one night is recommended to experience the island before day visitors arrive, to join an evening turtle program, and to get a sense of daily life on a Penghu outer island.
See Penghu Ferry Routes for schedules, fares, and service information for the Magong–Wang-an crossing.