Lienyu Yijing (Cliff of the Loyal Woman) | Lienchiang Attraction

Lienyu Yijing is a natural sea-eroded cliff on the southern side of Dongyin Island, nearly a hundred meters high. The granite cliff face cuts inward in a U-shape, with deep water at the base of the gorge. Guardrails at the cliff top allow visitors to look down at the surging waves far below. According to local tradition, a fisherman's wife in the Qing dynasty leapt from the cliff to escape pirates — a folk legend that gives this place a distinctive historical and cultural resonance. It is the most visually striking sea-eroded landscape on Dongyin.

Highlights of Lienyu Yijing

Dongyin Island is composed of hard granite. Waves have long eroded along rock joints, creating numerous sea-eroded landforms. Lienyu Yijing is the largest and most spectacular: the two sides of the U-shaped gorge are nearly vertical, the rock surface smoothed by years of wave action, its color shifting between deep and light depending on wet and dry states. The water at the base of the gorge ranges from deep blue to blue-green; on stormy days the crashing waves are deafening, while on calm days the surface lies still as a mirror, reflecting the cliff walls on either side.

Multiple versions of the folk legend surrounding Lienyu Yijing circulate in Dongyin. The shared core of all versions is: a fishing-village woman in the Qing dynasty, facing a pirate threat, chose to leap from the cliff to preserve her integrity, and later generations named the site in her memory. The legend reflects the hardships of Matsu's Minyue fishing communities living on the maritime frontier, and the collective memory of moral courage among local people — adding human depth to an otherwise purely natural landscape.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

🌊

Experience the Impact on a Stormy DayWhen the northeast monsoon is strong (autumn and winter), the sound of waves surging into the gorge is most thunderous. At the same time, be mindful of cliff-edge safety — never climb over the guardrails.

📷

Photograph the U-Shaped Gorge from AboveShooting downward from the cliff-top guardrails, the geometric U-shape and the deep blue water at the gorge floor create a powerful contrast — the most representative image from this spot.

🌅

Best Light at Dawn and DuskMorning and evening sunlight falls obliquely on the cliff walls, making the rock textures most three-dimensional and the sea colors richest. Schedule this spot as the opening or closing point of a full-day itinerary.

📖

Hear the Local Versions of the LegendDongyin Island residents have different tellings of the Lienyu Yijing story. If you have the chance to talk with a local, you may hear more details from the community's own version.

Practical Information

Getting There and Time Needed

To reach Dongyin, take the Taima Ferry or fast ferry from Nangan. Schedules and routes are affected by weather — confirm with the official Taima Ferry service.
Lienyu Yijing is on the southern side of Dongyin Island. Rent a scooter and follow the island road signs; riding time to the cliff-top viewing area is approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Nearby Connections

Can be combined with Dongyin Sky Crevice, Andong Tunnel, and Dongyin Lighthouse for a Dongyin day trip covering diverse sea-eroded landforms and wartime heritage.
Northern Frontier Monument and Yanxiu Chaoyin are on the island's northern side. If time allows, plan a north-south circuit for a complete Dongyin loop itinerary.

Source: Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, Lienchiang County Dongyin Township Office. Photos pending Dio's on-site shots.

🗺️ View on the map ← All Lienchiang attractions