Cimei (七美 Qīměi in Mandarin, Chhit-bí in Minnan; also rendered as Qimei) is a rural township in the Penghu Islands of Taiwan.
Understand
Archaeological evidence of prehistoric cultures dating back 4500 years before present was found in Nangang Village in 1983. The island was named "Cimei" in 1949 to commemorate a legend (七美人塚) from the Ming dynasty in which seven women committed suicide when pirates raided the island. The name also connotes seven beautiful things as the island's tourist attractions: the scenery, the seawater, local products, people's hearts, the geology, the architecture, and the history.
- Chimei visitor center (七美遊客服務中心), 23.195658°, 119.418863°, +88669971954. 08:00-17:00. For further information about the island and its attactions, you may speak with the staff at the visitor's centre near the wharf. 2020-06-27
Get in
By ferry
- Qimei Nanhu Port (七美南滬港), 23.194949°, 119.418780°. Ferry services run between Cimei and Magong via Wangan harbour and Kaohsiung. 2020-06-27
By plane
- Qimei Airport (七美航空站), No.55 Ping-He village, +886-6-9971256. Flights are run between Cimei and Kaohsiung, operated by Daily Air. 2020-06-27
Get around
See
Historical sites
- Qimei Lighthouse (七美嶼燈塔), 22.1902°, 119.428°. The lighthouse was built in 1939. It was the last lighthouse built by the Japanese government. 2020-06-27
- Seven Beauties Tomb (七美人塚), 23.19247°, 119.4271°. A stone inscription to commemorate the 7 women who took their own lives after pirates raided the island. 2020-06-27
- Nanyu Castle (南嶼城), 23.200180°, 119.427138°, +88669216521. A newly-built stone structire perched atop a hill that affords good views of the surrounding countryside. Good for taking photos. 2020-06-27
- Golden Dragon Pagoda (金龍寶塔), 23.218550°, 119.446456°. A conical stone structure by the sea with a dragon statue perched on top. 2020-06-27
Temples
- Wu Fu Temple (吳府宮), 23.201636°, 119.422313°, +88669971166. A large ornate temple complex. 2020-06-27
Natural
- Double-Heart of Stacked Stones (七美雙心石滬). a stone fishing weir located on the north side of Cimei Township, Penghu County, Taiwan. It is a well-preserved ancient fish trap made by stacking stones to form a trap that resembles a flying heart. 2020-06-27
- Little Taiwan (小臺灣), 23.208164°, 119.44381°. a wave-cut platform that resembles the outline of the main island of Taiwan. 2020-06-27
Do
Buy
Eat
- Cimei Seafood Restaurant (七美海鮮風味餐), 23.212928°, 119.412291°, +886919639643. 11:00-21:00. A cliffside seafood restaurant with views out to sea. 2020-06-27
- Chaozhou Noodles (七美潮州麵), 23.197516°, 119.425680°, +886 6 9972169. 07:00-19:00. A small take-away Chaozhou-style noodle vendor. 2020-06-27
- Tian Xin Breakfast Restaurant (甜馨早餐店), 23.196083°, 119.421839°, +88669971953. 05:30-10:30. A Taiwan-style breakfast restaurant service typical breakfast fare such as danbing, dumplings, and turnip cake. 2020-06-27
Drink
Sleep
- Cheng Village B&B (郑家庄), 23.208430°, 119.425089°, +886975895353. A small B&B housed in a traditional-style house. 2020-06-27
- Dermi Sea View Homestay (德美海景民宿), 23.197070°, 119.419942°, +886928162297. 2020-06-27
- Berkshire (波克夏民宿), 23.195985°, 119.420044°, +886966517917. A smaller hotel by the harbour. 2020-06-27
Connect
Go next
See Penghu for other cities and islands in the area.