Cimei (七美 Qīměi in Mandarin, Chhit-bí in Minnan; also rendered as Qimei) is a rural township in the Penghu Islands of Taiwan.

Understand

Archaeological evidence of prehistoric cultures dating back 4500 years before present was found in Nangang Village in 1983. The island was named "Cimei" in 1949 to commemorate a legend (七美人塚) from the Ming dynasty in which seven women committed suicide when pirates raided the island. The name also connotes seven beautiful things as the island's tourist attractions: the scenery, the seawater, local products, people's hearts, the geology, the architecture, and the history.

• 1 Chimei visitor center (七美遊客服務中心), ☏ +88669971954. 08:00-17:00. For further information about the island and its attractions, you may speak with the staff at the visitor's centre near the wharf. (updated Jun 2020)

Get in

Cimei Airport

By ferry

• 1 Qimei Nanhu Port (七美南滬港). Ferry services run between Cimei and Magong via Wangan harbour and Kaohsiung. (updated Jun 2020)

By plane

• 2 Qimei Airport (七美航空站), No.55 Ping-He village, ☏ +886-6-9971256. Flights are run between Cimei and Kaohsiung, operated by Daily Air. (updated Jun 2020)

See

Historical sites

• 1 Qimei Lighthouse (七美嶼燈塔). The lighthouse was built in 1939. It was the last lighthouse built by the Japanese government. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Seven Beauties Tomb (七美人塚). A stone inscription to commemorate the 7 women who took their own lives after pirates raided the island. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Nanyu Castle (南嶼城), ☏ +88669216521. A newly-built stone structire perched atop a hill that affords good views of the surrounding countryside. Good for taking photos. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 Golden Dragon Pagoda (金龍寶塔). A conical stone structure by the sea with a dragon statue perched on top. (updated Jun 2020)

Temples

• 5 Wu Fu Temple (吳府宮), ☏ +88669971166. A large ornate temple complex. (updated Jun 2020)

Natural

• 6 Double-Heart of Stacked Stones (七美雙心石滬). a stone fishing weir located on the north side of Cimei Township, Penghu County, Taiwan. It is a well-preserved ancient fish trap made by stacking stones to form a trap that resembles a flying heart. (updated Jun 2020)
• 7 Little Taiwan (小臺灣). a wave-cut platform that resembles the outline of the main island of Taiwan. (updated Jun 2020)

Eat

• 1 Cimei Seafood Restaurant (七美海鮮風味餐), ☏ +886919639643. 11:00-21:00. A cliffside seafood restaurant with views out to sea. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Chaozhou Noodles (七美潮州麵), ☏ +886 6 9972169. 07:00-19:00. A small take-away Chaozhou-style noodle vendor. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Tian Xin Breakfast Restaurant (甜馨早餐店), ☏ +88669971953. 05:30-10:30. A Taiwan-style breakfast restaurant service typical breakfast fare such as danbing, dumplings, and turnip cake. (updated Jun 2020)

Sleep

• 1 Cheng Village B&B (郑家庄), ☏ +886975895353. A small B&B housed in a traditional-style house. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Dermi Sea View Homestay (德美海景民宿), ☏ +886928162297. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Berkshire (波克夏民宿), ☏ +886966517917. A smaller hotel by the harbour. (updated Jun 2020)

Go next

See Penghu for other cities and islands in the area.