Many names for a small island
Xiao Liuqiu goes by quite a few names. In Chinese it’s 小琉球, in pinyin Xiǎo Liúqiú, and in English and most travel guidebook it’s Little Liuqiu. It’s former name was Lamay or Lambay Island and to this day, many maps (Google Maps included) still refer to it as such. I know it’s quite confusing. For sake of clarity, I will refer to it as Xiao Liuqiu throughout this article.
Facts about Xiao Liuqiu
- Total land area: 6.8 square km
- Population: +/-13,000 people
- Distance from Taiwan mainland: 15 kilometres
- There are no rivers on the island.
- It is one of Taiwan’s largest coral islands
- The island has a tropical climate, with warm temperatures year round.
- There are 38 temples on the island.
- One of the only places in Taiwan where you can spot green sea turtles
- There are 8 villages on the island.
Convenience, convenience!!
One word that describes well the experience of traveling to Xiao Liuqui is convenience. The boat ride from Donggang is fast, cheap, and comfortable. You can rent a scooter within minutes after arriving at Baisha Port. There are hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of B&Bs all over the place, and just like on the mainland, there are 7-11 and Family Mart open 24h a day.
Renting a scooter on Xiao Liuqiu
Easy! Just outside Baisha Port, you’ll see a line of scooter rental shops. They usually ask for 400NT$ per day. Cut the price! You should simply say 300NT$. The shop owner will most likely agree for 350NT$. Leave a piece of ID, grab the key and go. You are required by law to wear a helmet, but most people don’t.
There are also quite a few shops which offer Gogoro electrical scooters for rent, you should expect to pay quite a lot more for these. Many guesthouses and hostels offer scooter rental as part of their package, so you should ask about that option before you rent your own set of wheels at Baisha Port.
Make sure to check the tire and brakes condition before you set off around the island. Take a few pictures of the bike before you leave as proof of the exact condition (scratches / dents) the scooter was when you took possession of it.
My #1 advice when visiting Lamay Island
If I could give you only one recommendation when planning your trip to Little Liuqiu, it would be to go during the week. Weekends are really, really overcrowded, and you might even have to wait for quite a few hours in line at the pier to board a ferry as there are not enough boats on schedule to move such a huge amount of tourists in one go.
My #2 Advice
Book your room in advance! Although there are tons of B&Bs, guesthouses, and hostels on Xiao Liuqiu Island, it’s quite common for all the rooms to be booked on weekends and holidays. On my last trip there, I didn’t book in advance, and I was stuck on the island past the last ferry back to the mainland… I somehow managed to get a room somewhere, but I thought at one point that I was gonna have to spend the night on a beach or bench at the harbor. So book in advance, either through AirBnB or Hotels Combined. You can use the box below to search for a room.
Scenic Spots and Attractions at Xiao Liuqiu
The Visitor Center lists 27 scenic spots around the island. Some of those “attractions” are nothing more than a rock sticking out of the sea, a path on a beach, or a hole in a hillside. The outrageous part about this is that there are maps, brochures, and even formal entrance access points with gates and even ticket booths to make you pay to see those somewhat uneventful features. I personally have a profound aversion to paying (even if it’s just a dollar!) to access nature, especially if it has absolutely nothing special!
I’m not saying you shouldn’t go and pay for those attractions, but I just want to warn you that you may end up inside a cave, on a tourist path, or in the middle of the forest, surrounded by hundreds of tourists wondering: “That’s it!? Why did I have to pay for this!? Let’s get the hell out of here!”
I think one of the best ways to discover a place like Xiao Liuqiu Island is to just wander around on your scooter or by foot and let the sights of normal daily life charm you. The island is home to a population that is still somewhat living in the past, and that is still observing many ancient traditions. Just ride around with your camera in hand, and you’ll be surprised how random small alleys can lead to wonderful discoveries.
From Fishing Rod to Selfie Stick
The older folks on Liuqiu have seen war, poverty, growth, tourism, all forms of extreme changes and challenges. They’ve seen their island transformed from a culture of fishermen and seafarers, to an amusement-park-looking place with hundreds of young kids zooming by their front yard holding selfie sticks on electrical scooters.
Diving and Snorkeling on Xiao Liuqiu
Being a coral island surrounded by pristine water and amazing sea life, Xiao Liu qiu is understandably a very popular destination for divers and snorkelers. There are quite a few diving schools around the island, and even more places where you can rent snorkeling gear.
I recommend you do your research before committing to a diving center. You want to double-check their safety record, as well as their policy regarding the maximum divers they take on trips. There’s quite a lot of horror stories about diving schools and snorkel day trip organizers who bring as many people as possible on outings.
