Daqiu Island is an uninhabited islet of about 0.69 square kilometers off Beigan's Qiaozi Village, home to over two hundred wild sika deer descended from 13 deer originally raised at the Sanmin Ranch on Nangan since 1980 and released onto the island by the Beigan military command in 1997; the last troops withdrew in 1998, leaving it a true uninhabited island administered by Beigan Township.
Daqiu Island covers about 0.69 square kilometers (more precise than the 0.8 sq km figure sometimes cited). Its sika deer descend from a herd raised at the Sanmin Ranch on Nangan from 1980 for antler research; after the 1992 end of wartime administration made the ranch uneconomical and the deer faced culling, the Beigan military command arranged for 13 deer to be released onto Daqiu in January 1997. After the last troops withdrew in 1998, the island became truly uninhabited, and the deer have since bred freely to a county-government drone-survey estimate of roughly 200–250 head today.
What to See at Daqiu Island
Daqiu Island falls within the Matsu National Scenic Area and is administered by Beigan Township. The island's sika deer population descended from deer introduced by humans in earlier years that then went wild; with no human interference over many years, the herd has continued to expand. Today, deer roam across the entire island, and visitors who land often encounter them at close range right on the trail. Since there are no restaurants or accommodations, the island remains in a relatively pristine natural state.
The circumisland trail passes cove beaches, sea stacks, sea-eroded gullies, and other granite landforms. On clear days you can see the outline of Beigan Island and nearby island chains in the distance. The deer are accustomed to humans and sometimes approach on their own; it is best not to feed them and to keep a respectful distance to protect the deer's normal behavior. Vegetation on the island is low-lying and the view relatively open, making it an ideal spot for photographing deer with a seascape backdrop.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- Take a transport boat from Beigan's Tanghou; the crossing takes about 5 minutes. Ask local boat operators or the tourist information center about that day's schedule.
- There are no food or drink facilities on the island; bring your own water and snacks. Allow half a day to a full day.
- Sea transport is affected by weather; service may be canceled in strong winds or heavy swells. Confirm with official sources or the boat operator before departing.
Nearby Connections
- Can be combined with Beigan's Tanghou Road Beach and Qinbi Village in a same-day itinerary, covering both natural and cultural village facets.
- Beigan Airport has flights to Nangan and Taipei (Songshan); inter-island boats also connect the islands, so itineraries can be arranged flexibly.
Source: Matsu National Scenic Area Administration official website, Lienchiang County Government tourism materials. Photos pending Dio's field photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is Daqiu Island?
Daqiu Island covers about 0.69 square kilometers (sometimes mistakenly cited as 0.8 sq km).
Where did Daqiu Island's sika deer come from?
The herd descends from deer raised at the Sanmin Ranch on Nangan since 1980; 13 were released onto the island by the Beigan military in 1997.
How many sika deer live on Daqiu Island today?
A county-government drone survey estimates roughly 200 to 250 deer.
Sources
- 大坵不只有梅花鹿 – 文化馬祖 — 官方文化資料，梅花鹿引入歷史
- 大坵島主鳴冤2／無人島25年蛻變成樂園 200頭梅花鹿臨生死警戒線 — 面積與頭數報導