The entire island of Tongpan Islet is composed of basalt, so the local residents use the local material for building. In fact, Penghu’s terrain is relatively flat, resembling a lava plateau, and there are no high mountains to block the strong northeast monsoon in winter. Therefore, Penghu’s main island developed the “gulo stone wall” to shield the crops from the harsh winter northeast wind. Tongpan Islet lies in the southern part of Penghu, where not only does it receive the strong northeast monsoon in winter, but it also faces southwest airflow from the south in summer. Consequently, Tongpan Islet has a unique architectural style, known as “Yi Zhi Yin” (One‑Line Pattern). This style is distinctive to Tongpan Islet; its building materials are similar to other parts of Penghu—basalt or gulo stone— and the orientation is also wind‑dependent. However, unlike other areas, Yi Zhi Yin houses do not have gulo stone courtyard walls. Instead, they resemble an independent seal, with two doors on each wall, which is a unique feature of Yi Zhi Yin. Usually, only one small window is opened on each wall because the northeast monsoon is so strong! Even though Tongpan Islet is located in the south, it cannot avoid the intense northerly wind. The Yi Zhi Yin residences on Tongpan Islet have been listed as precious heritage by the government and are being actively protected, hoping to preserve this cultural and historical landmark.
**Suggested Length of Stay**
0.5 hours; Tongpan Islet is mainly visited for cruising or a brief stop. It is recommended to stay overnight in a local guesthouse on the island.