To differentiate it from Okinawa, Japan, which has the same pronunciation as the island in Chinese, the island is also called Little Liouciou.
Chien Ching-fa (簡慶發), chief of the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration’s Liouciou Administration Center, said that most young people move to Taiwan proper after they graduate from junior high school as there is no high school in Liouciou.
In the past, after graduation they were unlikely to return to find jobs, he said. Those who remain in Liouciou, however, relied mainly on fishing.
In recent years, however, more young people have chosen to return and become involved in the tourism industry, Chien said.
Liouciou is famous for natural formations around its coastline, including Black Ghost Cave, Venice Beach, Shanfu Inter-tidal Zone and White Light Tower, which have also made Liouciou a popular place for couples to take wedding portraits.
The island is known for its fresh seafood, including mussels, swordfish and sea lettuce.
Meanwhile, big squid balls and “Cheng’s sausages” are rated by visitors as the two best dishes on the island.
Last year, about 540,000 tourists visited Dapeng Bay and Liouciou, administration director Johnson Sheu said.
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