aeeble

Xiaomenyu is located at the northern end of Xiyu Island, separated from Xiyu by a channel approximately 20 meters wide. A bridge named Xiaomen Bridge now connects the two islands. Although the entire island covers only 0.5 square kilometers, its geological landscape is a microcosm of the Penghu archipelago and is often referred to as a "living outdoor geology classroom." Xiaomenyu is a basaltic tableland with high terrain in the north and low terrain in the south. The east, north, and west coasts are mainly composed of basalt sea cliffs, while the southern coast hosts the residential areas. Here, visitors can observe spherical structures formed by vesicular basalt, the unique iron-rich quartz sandstone and iron-rich clay layers in the Xiaomenyu Formation, limestone with fossilized shells interlayered with organic fossils, and small-scale landforms eroded by water flow. The island's most famous attraction, "Whale Cave," is named for its resemblance to a whale's head emerging from the water. Originally a basalt coastline, it was eroded extensively by seawater, eventually forming the current-day "sea arch," providing insight into the evolution process of marine erosion landforms. Additionally, Xiaomenyu features human-related sights such as beehive-style vegetable fields, protective stone markers known as "Shigangdang," and the opportunity to visit the "Xiaomen Geology Museum" to explore the geological mysteries of the Penghu Islands—an experience not to be missed!