Orchid Island

Taiwan

Orchid Island or Lanyu (蘭嶼 Lán yǔ) is a beautiful island in Taitung County off the coast of Taitung.

The main area for hotels is Hongtou Village, a couple of kilometers southeast of the airport.

Its population is about 5,000 of mostly Taiwanese aboriginals of the Yami ethnic group, not Han Chinese. Most people live in one of the six villages along the coastal road that traverses the island's perimeter.

The main local language on the island is the Yami language, an Austronesian language closely related to languages spoken in northern Philippines. However, most younger locals are also able to speak Mandarin.

Visit churches: Christianity is pretty big here; each of the six villages on the island has exactly one Catholic and one Protestant church. (The Protestant ones are larger and in better repair.) Access and times of services vary. Ask around!

  • Orchid Island Weather Station, +886 8 973 2587. Daily 06:00-18:00. A good place to see the whole island from one place and can help to orient yourself for your journey around the other attractions.
  • Lanyu Lighthouse. A 15-m-tall lighthouse, built in 1982.

  • Dragon Head Rock, Huandao Road. 24hrs.
  • Lover Cave. A natural stone archway with association with young love.
  • Datienchih. A lake inside the crater of a dormant volcano, covered in vegetation which feeds on the rich volcanic soil.
  • Lion Couple Rock. A popular fishing spot, despite the dangers posed by the sharp rocks. The unique rock formation lies on the northern part of the island and faces out into the Pacific Ocean.

Dragon Head Rock, Huandao Road. 24hrs.

Lover Cave. A natural stone archway with association with young love.

Datienchih. A lake inside the crater of a dormant volcano, covered in vegetation which feeds on the rich volcanic soil.

Lion Couple Rock. A popular fishing spot, despite the dangers posed by the sharp rocks. The unique rock formation lies on the northern part of the island and faces out into the Pacific Ocean.

A traditional below-ground homestead

  • Ye-Yin Old Tribe. A village consisting of a unique local architectural style, where the houses are built partially above and partially below ground.
  • Lanyu Flying Fish Cultural Museum, +886 8 973 1573. Built in 2005 to showcase the local culture, particularly the Flying Fish Festival, the museum also has a number of workshops in local arts and crafts.

Ye-Yin Old Tribe. A village consisting of a unique local architectural style, where the houses are built partially above and partially below ground.

Lanyu Flying Fish Cultural Museum, +886 8 973 1573. Built in 2005 to showcase the local culture, particularly the Flying Fish Festival, the museum also has a number of workshops in local arts and crafts.

Orchid Island Weather Station, +886 8 973 2587. Daily 06:00-18:00. A good place to see the whole island from one place and can help to orient yourself for your journey around the other attractions.

Lanyu Lighthouse. A 15-m-tall lighthouse, built in 1982.

  • Tour the beautiful island on a scooter.
  • Talk and dine with the local Yami people.
  • Enjoy relaxing on this quiet island

  • 7-Eleven, +886 8 973 1061. 24hrs. The only 7-11 on the entire island.

7-Eleven, +886 8 973 1061. 24hrs. The only 7-11 on the entire island.

Tribe Bar is probably the most popular place for western tourists and offers a mix of Asian and Western dishes.

  • Bayang Bar, +886 8 973 2069. 07:00-23:30.
  • Rover, +886 933 089 849. 20:00-00:00. A seaside restaurant serving a variety of more international cuisine.
  • 262 Bar. This outdoor restaurant serves a combination of local seafood specialities and local Taiwanese favourites.

A Li Gei Breakfast Restaurant, +886 912 243 173. 06:30-23:00. A popular breakfast restaurant, just down the road from the airport.

Bayang Bar, +886 8 973 2069. 07:00-23:30.

Rover, +886 933 089 849. 20:00-00:00. A seaside restaurant serving a variety of more international cuisine.

262 Bar. This outdoor restaurant serves a combination of local seafood specialities and local Taiwanese favourites.

11 Neighbours Bar, +886 927 000 893. 08:00-00:00.

Getting out is not always so easy. Winds can be very strong which makes flying and boat travel not possible at times. Leave yourself at least four extra days in case the flights are cancelled if you have onward travel plans.

  • Green Island
  • Taitung