Lienyu Yijing is a natural sea-eroded cliff behind Tianwang'ao Bay on Dongyin Island in Matsu, nearly a hundred meters high and almost vertical. According to legend, a fisherman's wife leapt from the cliff in the late Qing dynasty to escape pirates, giving the site its name, and it is Dongyin's most iconic sea-eroded landform.
According to local legend, in the late Qing dynasty pirates raided Dongyin and killed a fisherman; his wife fled to this cliff with nowhere left to run, and leapt to her death rather than be taken by the pirates. Later generations named the site in her memory. A nearby rock on the cliff's western side, called "Lienyu Rock," is said to be the spot where she once watched for her husband's return. The site features a viewing path with a mock ancient wall and iron railings, extending to a viewing platform on a projecting rock outcrop.
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
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name Lienyu Yijing come from?
According to legend, a fisherman's wife leapt from this sea cliff in the late Qing dynasty to escape pirates, and later generations named the site to honor her.
How high is the Lienyu Yijing cliff?
The cliff is nearly a hundred meters high and almost vertical, the largest and most dramatic sea-eroded cliff on Dongyin.
What is "Lienyu Rock"?
It is a rock on the cliff's western side said to be where the woman sat watching for her husband's return, echoing the Lienyu Yijing legend.
Sources
- 烈女義坑－馬祖國家風景區觀光資訊網 — 確認崖高、位置與景觀特色
- 馬祖、東引｜烈女義坑．是她拾起勇氣跳下的深淵 — 確認傳說細節（漁民遇害、其妻跳崖、烈女石）