Freedom Camping in Penghu

Life doesn’t get much better than camping on a gorgeous beach, barbecuing and enjoying the crystal clear ocean water in the middle of summer! It’s a little known secret that there are a number of brilliant camping spots in Penghu and that almost the entire archipelago is open for freedom camping. Freedom camping means that within reason, campers may camp throughout the islands (except on private property) without permits or fees. To encourage such outdoor pursuits the county government has invested significant time and money in providing excellent facilities (toilets, showers, bbqs) for campers at a number of the best beaches.

White sand beaches where the buzz from the city is left behind you. In these places all you’ll hear is waves lapping the sandy shoreline and the gentle Penghu summer breeze.  Lintou Park, Longmen Beach and Neian Beach are some of the finest examples Penghu has to offer in the way of beach camping. These are all beautiful beaches, with few visitors that are fully equipped and free to use. All you’ll need is a map from the visitor centre, a scooter and your camping gear. Stock up on food and water at one of the supermarkets in Magong city and even head to the daily fresh market to prepare fresh veggies for a BBQ. See information on Lintou and Neian below and information on Longmen here.

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Lin-t’ou Gōngyuán (Lintou Park) - This forested park is located on the coast line of ÀiMén Village and backs out directly onto the super long ÀiMén Beach. It is 15-20 minutes by bus, car or scooter from Magong and is well worth the drive. In the park’s former life it was pseudo zoo with a peacock and a few monkeys; but that all ended with a large typhoon some years ago. Now the park has been remodeled with a mini outdoor amphitheater, large wooden pagodas and award winning toilet and shower facilities. Camping is allowed, though no one seems to know apart from the odd cyclist. There is also a new coffee shop open in summer. It really is one of HúXi Isles best kept secrets.

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Neian Beach on Siyu Island, about 30 minutes from Magong, is another great spot to camp. Set up with pagodas, barbecues and toilet & shower facilities – it really is beautiful. Here the open flat expanses of Penghu disappear and instead steep cliffs, grassy hills and basalt columns gracefully stand along the shore. Swimming at this beach one feels almost surrounded by mountains in a mountain-less landscape. The beach itself is white sand pushed up against the cliff-face surrounded by rock pools and a pebbled shoreline. Despite the rocks the swimming here is excellent, just find the right spots to enter the water and the rocks give way to sandy azure water.

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