Vase Rock

About this place

Vase Rock is a coral pillar standing in shallow water off the shore of Liuqiu, a coral island south-west of Taiwan. Its broad plant-covered head rises on a narrow stem worn by the sea, so that it looks like a vase or a giant mushroom. It is the symbol of the island and the first thing many arrivals see. The island is small, with an area of 6.8 square kilometres and about 12,200 people. It is known locally as Little Liuqiu and was once called Lamay in European languages. It was also called Golden Lion Island, which the tourism office links with the rock's supposed likeness to a lion, though the name really comes from an old Dutch ship. Its reefs suffered badly before conservation efforts began to turn things around. You look at the rock from the shore or the edge of the tide, and its appearance shifts with the light and the water level. At low water the rocks around its base appear, and at high water it stands alone in the sea. Clear water around it draws people to wade in the shallows. Caves and coastal paths lie close by and can be reached by small scooter. The rock is 14.3 km in a straight line south-west of Donggang and 31.3 km south of Kaohsiung. Do not climb it, and do not touch or take sea creatures. Protected tidal zones on the island have entry rules, so follow them. The sun is strong with no shade, so bring a hat and water, and avoid the midday peak if you can.