Hong Kong to Taipei

The coastline around the Penghu Islands is constantly shifting due to the sea eroding the shoreline and depositing sediment in new areas.

Many of Penghu's islands are connected by roads and bridges, so residents can move easily across the county.

Imposing basalt columns tower across Penghu. The hexagonal shape of these columns has been worn down by centuries of water and wind erosion.

The Penghu Islands (in red) are part of Taiwan, though life in Penghu is very different to the fast-pace of mainland Taiwan.

c. 1900 - A small fishing village on one of the Penghu Islands.

The famous Whale Cave was formed by seawater eroding through the basalt wall.

A lake surrounded by bassalt walls is one of the many spectacular natural features of the Penghu Islands.

Basalt columns are formed by the rapid cooling of lava, which causes it to crack and shrink into these shapes.

Spectacular basalt columns frame the coastlines across Penghu.

Striking basalt columns rise from the sea on Penghu's coastlines.

Tall basalt columns make up the cliffs of Qimei Island.

A rocky outcrop known as 'Little Taiwan' juts out of the coastline of Chimei Island. It is so named because its shape resembles Taiwan.

A dramatic example of the basalt pillars that reveal the volcanic origins of the Penghu Islands.

c. 1640 - Map of Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores (Penghu Islands) under rule by the Dutch.

The Penghu Islands are at the crossroads between two major shipping routes - from China to Taiwan and from the South China Sea to the East China Sea.

One of the six famous lighthouses on Penghu's coasts.

Lighthouses have long been a feature of Penghu, protecting ships from crashing into the basalt coastlines.

Penghu is made up of around 100 islands and islets which were formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago.

Sunrise over the Taiwan Strait and the Twin-Heart Stone Weir. The weir has become a popular tourist spot in the Penghu Islands.

c. 1900 - "Lighthouse on Fisher Island". This lighthouse was built entirely of granite by the Chinese during their occupation of the Penghu Islands.

The Siyu Fort was built by the Dutch to protect Penghu from pirate attack.

1876 - Detailed map showing Formosa (Taiwan) and the Pescadores (Penghu Islands) in the Formosa Strait as they were under the rule of the Chinese.

The site of the Tomb of the Seven Beauties, dedicated to seven sisters who committed suicide to escape approaching pirates.

c. 1726 - Dutch map of the Pescadores, or Penghu Islands. The Dutch took control of the islands in the mid-17th century.

1903 - Map of the Penghu Islands during the Japanese occupation. Note the Japanese names for the islands.

The Hsitai Fort was built by the Chinese between 1886 and 1888 to defend the islands against pirates.

Fishing in the bountiful Taiwan Strait provides the main source of income to people living in Penghu.

Nearly all men on the Penghu Islands are fishermen, catching thousands of fish each day.

The Twin-Hearts Stone Weir was designed to catch fish who would swim into the weir at high tide and become stranded as the water level sunk.

Vast quantities of fish must be sorted every day in Penghu's harbours for drying and preserving.

Fishing boats in a Penghu harbour. Each village in Penghu has its own harbour and unique method for catching fish.

Penghu fisherman often dry their catch to preserve the vast quantities of fish.

Fish caught in Penghu is dried and turned into specialities that draw tourists to Penghu.

Matsu Temple is dedicated to Matsu, the Goddess of the Sea, which people on Penghu believe will protect them from dangers at sea.

Hundreds of baskets of fish are caught every day in the sea around the Penghu Islands.

The goddess Matsu is believed to protect Penghu's fishermen.

Squid drying in the sun in one of Penghu's harbours.

The Twin-Hearts Stone Weirs at high tide. The weir was designed to catch fish who would swim into the weir at high tide and become stranded as the water level sunk.

Row upon row of squid drying in the sun.