The Penghu (pronounced "pung hoo") is an archipelago, not a single island. A very beautiful and enjoyable weekend getaway, the sea around Penghu is a saturated turqoise and the sand coral (so pack beach footwear).
Very few people, hoteliers included, speak any English, so be prepared to exercise your Mandarin, and do your research before you get there!
It is accessible from Taipei and Kaoshiung by a short turboprop flight. You can also take the ferry from Kaoshiung (3.5h) and Putai (90min).
Only foreigners who hold current Taiwanese drivers' licenses may rent vehicles and the airport is a few miles from the city, so you might need to cab around. Though some scooter rental shops may be lenient if you ask nicely.
In the main city, '''Makung''', major sights include the '''Tianhou Temple''', where sailors and fishermen have prayed to the sea goddess Matsu for safe seafaring for centuries. Nearby is the 400-year-old '''Four Eyes Well''', a single well with four holes so it can be used by many people at once. It's on a picturesque old street that has been tastefully restored to its former glory.
Book ahead because hotels in Penghu can fill up fast. Hotels offer significant discounts in the off-season (winter and early spring).