From here, walking south along the eastern side of the island will present visitors with views of some of the oddly shaped rocks, including Pekinese Dog (哈巴狗), and Sleeping Beauty (睡美人), which are near each other, as well as Confucius Rock (孔子岩) and Turkey Rock (火雞岩) further south. The Visitor Center near the airport has a map that identifies which rock is which.
Near the southeastern tip of the island, the Jhaorih (Morning Sun) Hot Spring (朝日溫泉) is another major tourist draw. Facing the rising sun in the east, it’s unique because it’s next to the sea and is one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, the other two being in Japan and on a small island off the coast of Sicily.
Those who feel energetic and inspired by the easy and scenic walk along the coastal road can try the Across Mountain Ancient Trail (過山古道, 1.85km) and the Across Mountain Trail (過山步道, 1.84km), which offer hikers gorgeous views of the island and its surrounding ocean scenes. The trails were blazed by early inhabitants who used them to cross the island before vehicles were available and the round-island road was built.
Perhaps one thing Green Island lacks is preservation of its Aboriginal culture. Most Taiwanese would say there are no indigenous people on Green Island, in contrast to Orchid Island or other parts of the country.
But the island was home for thousands of years to various Aboriginal groups, including the Amei, before Han Chinese from Siao Liouciou Island (小琉球), off Pingtung County, migrated there in the 19th century.
Employees at the Visitors Center said the indigenous people fled due to conflicts with the Han Chinese and little remains of their history on the island.
The island had an Aboriginal name in the past — Sanasai, which means “a resting place.” Aborigines used to see Green Island as a stopping point on their trips to and from other parts of Taiwan, such as Orchid Island or Taiwan proper.
For the fun of it, try and ask if anyone you meet on Green Island knows the island’s original name. VIEW THIS PAGE
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