Orchid Island (Lanyu or 蘭嶼) – EugeneThePanda.com

Orchid Island, also known by other names, is a 45 km² volcanic island off the southeastern coast of Taiwan Island. The island is part of Taiwan. It is separated from the Batanes of the Philippines by the Bashi Channel of the Luzon Strait.

Like Green Island, Orchid Island (Lanyu) is a volcanic island that was formed of magma erupting from the ocean floor. Because the peaks of the mountains at the northwestern corner of the island resemble red human heads in the crimson rays of the setting sun, it was formerly known as “Redhead Island.” The present name refers to the wild orchids that once grew there in abundance. The humid, rainy climate has cloaked the mountainous interior of the island with a thick rain-forest cover, and has provided it with a countless variety of plant and animal life. Coral reefs are distributed around the island and the warm Japan Current also flows by, attracting vast schools of fish that make this a paradise for deep-sea fishing and skin diving.

Yami (Tao) Culture
The Yami (Tao) people have always depended primarily on the sea for their livelihood, a fact which is reflected in their unique culture. The men, for example, wear narrow loincloths for convenience when fishing or hunting; they use richly decorated canoes; they traditionally live in semi-subterranean houses for protection against typhoons and the torrid heat of summer; and they perform elaborate ceremonies when they launch a new boat or begin the annual flying fish season. These cultural features, among others, make the Yami (Tao) intensely interesting to visitors.

Yeyou Village
This is the site of the island’s administrative center, township office, middle school, and main bus station. Kaiyuan Harbor, situated on the outskirts of the village, is the island’s major gateway for sea transportation—in particular, it is where the boats from Fugang Harbor in Taitung dock. A lighthouse just to the north of the village provides fine views of Orchid Island and the surrounding seas.

Itinerary Suggestions:

Day01 Taidong Fugang Fishing Port (or Houbihu, Kenting) Ticket Office→ Get the boat ticket to Lanyu→Snorkeling→ Free travel around the island by locomotive

Time: 06:30
Location: Taitung Fugang Fishing Port Ticket Office
Itinerary: Arrive at Taitung Railway Station (airport) or by car

Time: 06:30
Location: Kenting Houbihu Ticket Office
Itinerary: You must drive by yourself

Time: 10:30
Location: Lanyu Kaiyuan Harbor
journey:

After disembarking, look for the “B&B brand” and hand over your luggage to the B&B staff, who will help you carry your luggage back to the B&B.
Show this electronic ticket, and the hotel staff will guide you to the cooperative car dealership to rent a locomotive, make an appointment to confirm the itinerary of the event.
After completing the above procedures, go to the hotel to register for Check-in, and start the locomotive to travel around the island freely.

Time: 14:00
Location: Determined by the coach
Itinerary: Enjoy the high-definition underwater world of Orchid Island, and swim with the tropical fish in the beautiful and colorful ocean.

Time: 15:00
Location: Lanyu Old Lighthouse
Itinerary: Overlooking the entire Kaiyuan Port, Lanyu Old Lighthouse is definitely the best location! The Lanyu old lighthouse is located next to the gas station. Standing on it and looking down, the blue sea is completely in sight!

Time: 15:30
Location: Hongtouyan Itinerary
Because the side of Hongtouyan is shaped like a human head, it looks like a red head lying on the sea under the setting sun and red sunset. It also looks like a red head from the side of the cliff. “Red Man” was named after the Indians, and Orchid Island was called Hongtou Island in the early days.

Time: 16:00
Location: Crocodile Rock
Itinerary: At first glance, it looks like a crocodile with its mouth open and roaring to the sky. Sometimes you can see sheep swimming around Lanyu climbing into the mouth of the crocodile, forming a crocodile Funny picture of eating sheep.

Time: 16:30
Location: Tank Rock
Itinerary: It is formed by the accumulation of volcanic debris. It collapsed from the parent rock in the coral reef in the early years, and the moss is all over the rock wall, making the whole rock more like a gun barrel missing tanks landing from the sea.

Time: 17:00
Location: Wukongdong
Itinerary:It is composed of agglomerates or tuffaceous agglomerates. The boulders of tuffaceous agglomerates are black irregular basalt or basaltic pyroxene andesite, which attract many tourists to come to pilgrimage to the masterpiece of nature.

Day02 Locomotive round-the-island free exercise

Time: 10:00
Location: Shuangshiyan
Itinerary: This is the most famous scenic spot in Lanyu. No one comes to Lanyu without taking a photo here. The rock looks like two lions lying on each other from a distance, followed by A little lion is very cute.

Time: 11:00
Location: Guided tour of the underground house (additional items purchased at your own expense)
Itinerary: Experience the wisdom of the Dawu people’s traditional tribal architectural art and the philosophy of life that conforms to nature. The exquisitely carved canoes, half-cave traditional houses and men in thongs constitute the most classic Lanyu style.

Time: 13:00
Location: Dongqing Secret Realm
Itinerary: The natural swimming pool where Lanyu people grew up!! Looking at the “Dongqing Secret Realm” from above the coral reef is amazing! The sea water is emerald green and clear to the bottom! This secret place is separated from the sea by coral reefs. When the waves hit, the sea water will pour in, forming a special scene of a small beach!! (Intimate reminder: because the road is full of reefs, it is recommended to wear shoes and gloves to avoid skin injuries. !)

Time: 14:30
Location: Lover’s Cave
Itinerary: Surrounded by turbulent waves, the sound of the waves is even more rumbling when the waves hit, it is quite spectacular, the sea water is crystal clear, and the cave is quiet. This is definitely a great place to go in January.

Time: 15:00
Location: Weather Station
Itinerary: Lanyu Weather Station not only has historical stories, blue sea and blue sky, and dense forests, but also because the coastline can be seen on both sides of the east and west, regardless of sunrise or sunset. Satisfy you, sit on the guardrail and enjoy the endless ocean and beautiful green mountain scenery, overlook the sea during the day, and look up at the starry sky at night. (Intimate reminder: The Zhongheng road is very steep along the way, especially the section up to the weather station is even more dangerous. Be sure to pay attention to your own safety when riding a motorcycle.)

Day03 Locomotive tour around the island → island hopping to Green Island

Time: 10:00
Location: Coconut Oil Church
Itinerary: A characteristic church in the shape of a canoe. There is a cross on the roof, and there are Dawu canoe paintings on both sides of the door. The appearance combines the characteristics of Western architecture. The blue sky and the bright red church look lively and solemn. Although the appearance of the Coconut Oil Church is not as grand as a Western-style church, it has added the diverse colors of Taiwanese aborigines, which makes people feel serious and approachable, and highlights the characteristics of the aborigines!

Time: 11:00
Location: Coconut Oil Elementary School
Itinerary: The appearance of Coconut Oil Elementary School is not very obvious. The overall presentation of the campus is mainly based on the characteristic totems of Lanyu. Even the command platform is a super-large canoe. Next to the playground is the Bali-style Dazed Pavilion. After taking photos, come to the Dazed Pavilion to listen to the sound of the waves! (Reminder: Coconut Oil Elementary School refuses to visit. Time: am7:30-pm16:30, children’s class time It is not allowed to visit, the Coconut Oil Elementary School is open during the holiday!)

Time: 14:00
Location: Qingqing Grassland
Itinerary: The widest grassland at the southern end of Lanyu Island is a raised coral reef platform, and the vast hinterland grows a large area of staggered green grass, forming a large grassland. The grassland has gradually become a good place for tourists to watch the scenery and enjoy the sunset. Local residents said that the blooming of lilies means that winter in Lanyu is coming to an end, and spring is coming soon, life is very pleasant!