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Kaohsiung-Little Ryukyu direct service now open

The sun shines down on a beach on Little Ryuku, an island in Liouciou Township, Pingtung County, yesterday. The Dapeng Bay National Scenic Administration has announced special discount tour packages for visiting the island effective until March. PHOTO: HSU MIN-JUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Starting today, visitors to Little Ryukyu (小琉球) can leave directly from Kaohsiung and arrive within 50 minutes, the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Administration said yesterday.

Little Ryukyu is an island located southwest of the Donggang (東港) Harbor in Pingtung County.

The administration's deputy director Chang Lung-cheng (張隆城) said the direct service is only available on weekends and special holidays.

A majority of ships will still leave from Donggang, he said.

In a bid to draw more visitors to the island, Chang said the administration is scheduled to host a series of tourist events through March.

The direct sea route between Kaohsiung and Little Ryukyu was part of travel arrangements designed by the administration, he said.

"We have coordinated with a boating firm and 17 local hostel operators in Little Ryukyu and worked out a two-day package tour that works for everyone," he said. "Special discounts will also be given to tourists from now until March."

"We have coordinated with a boating firm and 17 local hostel operators in Little Ryukyu and worked out a two-day package tour that works for everyone."

Chang Lung-cheng, Dapeng Bay National Scenic Administration deputy director

From Sunday to Friday, Chang said visitors will get a 50-percent discount if they stay in any one of the 17 hostels. They will also get a 30 percent discount when they purchase entry tickets for any scenic spot.

Tickets for the voyage have been reduced from NT$380 to NT$330, he said.

Chang said that Little Ryukyu is the world's sixth largest coral reef island.

Little Ryukyu is also the only island near Taiwan that is free from the influence of the northeast seasonal wind, he said.

"It is a tourist attraction that can be visited all year round," he said.

Eighty percent of the blue fin tunas available during the Blue fin Tuna Season in Donggang come from Ryukyu, he said.

Chang also said that tourists can enjoy a star-lit sky without any light pollution.
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