Dashi Longcheng Scenic Area is the largest basalt wave-cut scenic zone at the southern tip of Qimei Island; 'Dashi' is a lion-shaped rock carved by erosion from columnar basalt joints, while 'Longcheng' is a 600-meter platform of interlayered tuff and basalt shaped by wave action.
Longcheng is a 600-meter stretch of south-facing terrain interlayered with tuff and basalt, shaped by long-term wave erosion into a flat wave-cut platform; its folded texture, formed as lava flows were compressed, resembles a coiling dragon, giving the site its name. Dashi is a lion-shaped rock formed when erosion left the harder columnar basalt joints standing.
Highlights of Dashi Longcheng Scenic Area
The Longcheng platform is a layered rock bed formed when basalt lava cooled, subsequently eroded by waves into its present horizontal surface. At low tide the platform is extensive and visitors can walk on it, observing the cross-sections of basalt columnar joints and parallel layering up close. The edges of the platform have been carved by strong surf into irregular pits and sea channel landforms; on sunny days, the blue-green seawater at the reef coast creates a strong visual color contrast. The Dashi reef is several meters tall; viewed from different angles in different lighting, the lion's posture looks slightly different.
The tide pools left on the Longcheng platform at low tide are larger than those at the northern tip of Qimei and offer a diverse ecology to observe — including remnant coral, reef algae, and sea urchin colonies. Be aware of the force of waves striking the platform edges: even when the sea looks calm, surge waves at the reef edge can be dangerous. Do not stand at the platform's edge to take photos. From October to the following March during the northeast monsoon season, wave conditions are stronger; the Longcheng platform scenery is dramatic but safety distances must be even more conservative.
How to make the most of it
Practical information
Getting there & timing
- Qimei Township requires a ferry to reach; check the Penghu County Government or shipping company's official website for the latest schedules. Off-season sailings are infrequent, so pay special attention to the last return departure time.
- Dashi Longcheng is at the southern end of Zhonghe Village. After renting a vehicle on the island, follow the signs along the island loop road — about 15 minutes. There is a simple parking area at the scenic site.
Nearby connections
- Dashi Longcheng is at the southern tip of Qimei Island and can serve as the final stop on an island loop itinerary, paired with Qimei Martyrs' Tomb (Nangang Village) for a southern-end combined route — the two are about 5 minutes apart by vehicle.
- The Twin-Heart Stone Weir (Dingxi Village) is in the north of the island; plan a full-day island loop with the north in the morning and the south in the afternoon.
Sources: compiled from context facts and Penghu County Government tourism information. Photos pending Dio's on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the name 'Longcheng' come from?
Its folded texture, formed as lava flows were compressed, resembles a coiling dragon; the platform stretches 600 meters.
What season is best for visiting Dashi Scenic Area?
Year-round, though from October to March the northeast monsoon brings dramatic but stronger surf, requiring a greater safety distance.
Can visitors collect rock samples from the platform?
No, collecting rock specimens is prohibited to preserve the geological landscape.
Sources
- 龍埕海蝕平台介紹｜LINE旅遊 — 龍埕平台長度、地質互層構造與命名由來
- 話說澎湖－玄武岩｜澎湖縣政府終身學習網 — 澎湖玄武岩柱狀節理地質背景