Guishan Island

Whether traveling by land or sea, the sight of Guishan Island signals your arrival in Yilan. Located approximately ten kilometers east of the coast of Toucheng Township in Yilan County, Guishan Island is the largest and only inhabited island under Yilan County's jurisdiction, and it is also Taiwan's only remaining active volcano. Guishan Island gets its name from its shape, resembling a floating turtle. After martial law was lifted in 1988 (ROC year 77), and thanks to many years of dedicated efforts by the Yilan County Government and local representatives, the Executive Yuan incorporated Guishan Island into the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area in 1999 (ROC year 88). Based on Guishan Island's unique cultural and ecological resources, it has been planned as a marine ecological park offering both educational and emotional experiences. By controlling visitor numbers, potential conflicts with the environment are minimized. Combined with whale watching activities in the nearby waters, it has become a popular tourist attraction along the northern "Blue Highway" (maritime route).