Xiaoliuqui: Taiwan’s Tropical Jewel

Xiaoliuqui, also known as Lambai, is a small island nestled off the southern coast of Taiwan that offers pristine beaches, a vibrant marine life, and a serene tropical atmosphere. Despite its small size (6.8 km²), it offers visitors a plethora of things to do. From snorkeling to free diving to delicious food and so much more. Embark on an unforgettable journey to Xiaoliuqui Island where you can escape from the busy city life and enjoy its crystalline waters.

When I was backpacking in Taiwan, I had no itinerary so I played it by day. During my stay in Kaohsiung, I did not know where my next stop should be, and a local mentioned Lambai Island and encouraged me to go. I went in with zero expectations and it completely blew my mind. Not only did it have stunning beaches but all the locals were extremely nice and helpful.

When I was planning my stay here, I could not find much information about the island so I hope this blog helps you plan your stay. Below are my recommendations for things to do in Xiaoliuqui.

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When to Visit

Lambai Island is a tropical island, meaning it has relatively good weather all year round. However, do keep in mind when you plan to stay as monsoon season in Taiwan goes from May to September.

I visited between late April and early May and found it to be the best time for me. It is mostly sunny with occasional rains that don’t last for a long time. Additionally, during that time sea turtles come to the island’s shore to nest their eggs. It is a great opportunity to see these creatures up close by snorkeling or watching them from the shore. 

How to Get Here

There are several ways to get to Xiaoliuqui. The easiest way to get there is to start your journey at Khaosiung, the nearest city. From there, you can either book a private taxi (you can ask your accommodation to arrange for it) or you can take public transportation. 

I took the red line departing from Khaousing City to the last stop called HSR Zuoying Station and then transferred to the bus. It left me just a short ten-minute walk from the pier. At the pier, I booked the next ferry going to the island. The last ferry leaves around 6 pm so make sure to arrive early to the pier. 

On Google Maps you can find different options to take if you are using public transportation and it is very accurate.

Where to Stay

As mentioned before, Xiaoliuqui is a small island that can be crossed in less than 30 minutes. If you are looking to stay close to convenience stores, I recommend staying at the town center near the pier. 

However, I stayed in the southern part of the island at a hostel called Drift Diving Hostel. If you are looking for a budget hostel, this is it. It is located right in front of Secret Beach. The owners were kind enough to book an electric bike for me before my arrival so all I had to do was walk to the shop in front of the pier and pay.

This was the electric bike I rented when I stayed in Xiaoliuqui.

How to Move Around

Due to its small size, moving around Taiwan's Tropical Jewel is easy and fast. There will be countless rental shops near the pier. 

There are two options: an electric or motorbike. With an electric bike, you can drive around the island around three times before the battery runs out. When it does, all you have to do is go back to the shop and change the battery. The shop I rented it with did not charge me extra for changing the battery. Also, with the electric bike, you won’t be able to go at high speeds when driving. 

If you rent a motorbike, there are a couple of gas stations around the island. 

Important: To rent any motor vehicle in Taiwan, you need to have an International Driver’s License. If you do not have one, you will only be able to rent an electric bike.

How Long to Stay There 

 I recommend staying there for 4 days so you can have two full days to explore all that Lambai has to offer. I also stayed for four days and I was able to explore the island without feeling rushed and being able to take my time.

Things to do in Xiaoliqui: 

Paddleboarding somewhere along the coast of Xiaoliuqui.

1. Secret Beach

Located right in front of the Drift Diving Hostel, this beach is perfect for water activities. There is a trailer right in front of the beach that offers freediving courses as well as snorkel and paddleboarding rentals. I did paddleboarding on my last day with them, which couldn’t have been more nice. They had a staff come with me to guide me to the nice spots and take pictures.

Stunning sunset at Sunset Pavilion.

2. Sunset Pavilion

As the name suggests, it is a great spot to watch the sunset in Xiaoliuqui. When I came here, I sat on a bench near locals and they were all intrigued by me. We ended up having a very nice conversation (through Google Translate) while watching the sunset. I definitely recommend coming here to watch the sunset and talk with the locals.

The Wild Boar Trench Trail offers stunning scenery and cute cats!

3. Wild Boar Trench Trail

It is one of the four locations around the island that is included in a single NTD payment to access different areas. The Wild Boar Trench Trail is a hike through the coral forest that consists of a boardwalk. I went there around noon and there was no one. It was super relaxing walking around and seeing all the different fauna. I definitely recommend visiting this place. 

Do keep in mind that because of the boardwalk, this trail might not be accessible for the elderly or handicapped folks.

The iconic Vase Rock in Lambai Island.

4. Vase Rock

Vase Rock is arguably  Xiaoliuqui’s most famous tourist attraction. It is located near the island’s town center. I recommend going to see it as the rock is super impressive!

If you go during nesting season, this is a great place to watch the sea turtles. It is also a good spot to snorkel as there are many in this area (In 10 minutes, I got to see 5!).

5. Zhongao Beach

Zhongao Beach is another great snorkeling spot where you can see sea turtles. It’s also a great place to just relax by the beach!

Clear waters at Venice Beach in Lambai Island.

6. Siao Liou Ciou Ge Ban Bay Beach (Venice Beach) 

If you are looking for a relaxing day at the beach, make sure to check out Venice Beach. It offers soft sand and clear waters. I spent half the day there and it was a great spot to swim!

7. Wildbbq

If you are looking to eat authentic delicious Taiwanese food, I recommend coming to Wildbbq. It was by far one of the best meals that I had in Taiwan! It is located near the beach and it has a very chill ambiance at night. 

I really liked how unlike other barbecue places I had been to, this one served unique dishes such as apple wrapped in pork, which is a must-try!

Stunning view of Beauty Beach from the top.

7. Beauty Beach

This beach truly is beautiful. It is a great place to go snorkeling since it has many corals. Do keep in mind that because the shore is mostly covered in washed-up corals, it might be a bit uncomfortable to sit on the ground. I recommend bringing a towel or a chair.

In my 6-week backpacking trip around Taiwan, Xiaoliuqui was one of my ultimate favorite places that I visited. I really enjoyed its beaches, the food, and how laid-back it felt. I hope this blog encourages you to go and helps you plan your trip there!