Pengjia Islet is located northeast of Keelung (122°04'20"E, 25°37'55"N), about 56 km from Keelung port. It is the northmost place of Taiwan, one of the “Three Northern Isles” (along with Mianhua Islet and Huaping Islet). The islet has a perimeter of 4300m, an area of 114 hectares and a highest altitude of 165m. The islet, on which there are only the staff of the lighthouse, weather station and army, is administered by Keelung Municipal Government.
 Huaping Islet |
 Transportation of supplies |
Pengjia Islet was formed due to the eruption of an undersea volcano. Because of strong wave erosion, only the western part of the islet is left now, and all the rest are cliffs with erosion concaved walls and caves. The altitude of the islet decreases gradually from east to west, and the lighthouse is located east of the center at the vantage point of the crater of the volcano, on which offices and houses are built.
 Cliff |
 Buildings on the crater |
On the islet the wind blows too fiercely for trees to grow well; therefore, vegetation comprises primarily of grassland species. Only a few shrubs can be found around the lighthouse. From April to May, Lilium longiflorum Thunb, which is seen in the northern, eastern parts of the islet and the off-shore islands, covers a large part of the islet. Another unique plant on the islet is crossostephium chinense, also called “lilies in the sea”, which is found mostly on the rocks along the shore. Crossostephium chinense is a kind of expensive medicine used as a cure for asthma, tuberculosis, hyperension, etc.
 Grass |
 Lilium longiflorum Thunb |
According to early Japanese investigations, albatross inhabited the islet; however, probably because of human civilization, they are not found anymore.
Immigration to the islet dates back to the Qing dynasty. The residents left during Qing-France War; however, people came again during the Japanese Rule Period. Later in WWII, the residents left once again to avoid being bombarded. The ruins of their houses can be found today.
 Temple (of Earth God) |
 Cave of Guanyin (bodhisattva) |