Guishan Island is located about 10 kilometers east of the coast of Toucheng Town, Yilan County. It is a volcanic island and is named because it looks like a floating turtle. It has also been listed as one of the coolest islands in the world by the internationally renowned nature website "WHEN ON EARTH." When visitors come to the northeast cape, in addition to enjoying beautiful coastal scenery and magnificent giant rocks, they can also take a boat to this mysterious island off the coast of Yilan.
-
Guishan Island
-
.jpg)
Guishan Island
Exploration of the amazing beauty of Guishan Island
The small island is full of charm and rich in ecological and cultural heritage. Putuo Rock, the belief center of the islanders, is now dedicated to Guanyin Bodhisattva. There is also a statue of Guanyin riding a dragon at the far end of Guiwei Lake, which stands on the lakeside and protects all living beings. Along the trail around the island there is a cold spring known as the Spring of Life. There is also the only naturally growing native Chinese fan-palm forest in Taiwan, as well as a rich and diverse animal and plant ecology; the largest tree on the trail is more than 80 centimeters in diameter and hailed as a sacred tree by local residents. It was once the tallest tree on the island. The former Guishan Elementary School site and the famous "Isolated Island" landmark are also must-photo spots. The military tunnel that bears witness to the island’s past as a military garrison are very cool inside and a favorite place for tourists to escape the heat during the summer season. At the end of the tunnel is an abandoned fort, and the densely packed silencer cones on the ceiling give it an atmosphere of military strife at that time. Looking into the distance visitors can see the beautiful dreamy blue sea. After a short trip the island offers visitors history, culture and nature.
Challenge oneself to reach the top of Hill 401
The highest point on Guishan Island is at an elevation of 398 meters. Together with the 3-meter-high bunker, it is called "401 Peak." The former military location has become an important trail to appreciate the ecological beauty of the island, but to enjoy the view visitors have to climb to the top along a stone step trail that is about 1,300 meters and 1,706 steps long, which takes about one hour. Climb the stairs slowly and observe the natural ecology, with rich biological and forest species along the way and a precious low-altitude native forest. Once visitors climb to the top of the mountain they can stand on the observation deck and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view, with a fantastic view of the turtle head and tail peeking out of the turtle shell. If the weather is good, the beautiful scenery of mountains and sea on the northeast cape can be seen.
-
.jpg)
Looking out from 401 Peak
-
.jpg)
Whale watching on Guishan Island
Looking for sea elves and exploring the eight scenic spots of Guishan
The sea near Guishan Island is flat and shallow, and many schools of fish gather there. Not only is the island one of the three largest fishing grounds in Taiwan, it is also visited by a large number of whales and dolphins, with as many as 17 species identified, mainly spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, pygmy killer whales and false killer whales. The best season for whale watching is from April to the end of September. Visitors can take a whale watching boat to and from Guishan Island and embark on a summer sea adventure. The whales and dolphins on the blue highway sometimes play hide-and-seek with fishing boats; what visitors can’t miss is the super beautiful gradient sea water, where the undersea hot springs caused by the volcanic landform change the color of the ocean water, with staggered depths and milky hues, creating a romantic and dreamy blue hue.
Most whale watching itineraries include sightseeing around the island. These introduce visitors to the rich geological landscape and mysterious natural phenomena of Guishan Island, including underwater hot springs, sulfur smoke, turtle tail wagging, spectacle caves, turtle rock cliffs, the turtle egg legend, turtle facing sunrise and sacred turtle wearing hat, which are collectively known as the “eight scenic spots of Guishan.” The unique scenery on the island is not always easy to see in one go as it depends on the climate, the tide and other factors, which adds to the mystery of these legendary eight scenic spots.
Traffic information
The main ferry terminal to Guishan Island is Toucheng Wushi Harbor. There are several ways to get to the harbor:
- Transfer at Toucheng Railway Station and take Kuo-Kuang Bus – Zhuangwei Shaqiu Green Line 18 and Kamalan Bus - Yilan Jinlanjinhaoxing Line 131.
- Take Kuo-Kuang Bus – Zhuangwei Shaqiu Green Line 18 (Toucheng Railway Station-Yilan Transfer Station) → Get off at Wushi HarborTransfer Station.
- Take Kamalan Bus - Yilan Jinlanjinhaoxing Line 131 (Jiaoxi Railway Station - Waiao Station of Northeast Coast National Scenic Area) → Get off at Wushi Harbor Transfer Station.
- [not available on Saturdays and Sundays] Take Kuo-Kuang Bus 1766 (Nangfangao-Wushi Harbor Transfer Station) → Get off at Wushi Harbor Transfer Station.
- Take Kuo-Kuang Bus 1877 (Yuanshan Transfer Station-National Highway 1-WushiHarbor Transfer Station) → Wushi Harbor Transfer Station.
Recommended Itineraries