Zhongtun Wind Park sits along the northern coast of Zhongtun Village, Baisha Township. Taiwan Power Company has installed several megawatt-class wind turbines here, and their tall white blades stand out conspicuously against Penghu’s generally low-lying terrain — visible from far down the county road leading to Jibei Island, turning slowly in the wind. The park has no fences and no admission fee. The turbines are arrayed in a line along the coast with almost no buildings blocking the view in any direction, making this northern Baisha Township’s preferred location for landscape photography, sunset shots, and night sky photography. On weekdays the visitors are mostly tripod-carrying photographers and sunset chasers; during the Penghu Fireworks Festival and the peak summer season, the roadside parking area is regularly packed with rental e-bikes and scooters.
Highlights
The turbines at Taipower’s Zhongtun wind farm are three-blade horizontal-axis machines with large rotors — the blade tips are estimated to reach 90–100 m (295–330 ft) above ground at their highest point. Penghu’s low, open terrain means these turbines can be photographed unobstructed from all directions. The most visually striking time is the 30 minutes around sunset: the sun drops toward the horizon to the southwest, and the turbines cast large silhouettes against an orange-red sky, their blade tips rimmed with golden backlight — one of the more widely photographed compositions in Penghu. Arriving 30 minutes early allows you to observe the angle of the light and the rhythm of the blades before choosing your position. Shooting toward the light or away from it, landscape or portrait orientation, each produces a different result.
Night photography is equally worthwhile. The northern tip of Zhongtun has no large residential areas or commercial lighting in the immediate vicinity, making it one of the darker spots in Baisha Township. On clear nights around the new moon, a wide-angle lens on a tripod can frame the Milky Way arching over the turbines. From August to October the Milky Way arch tilts southward, aligning well with the turbines’ position. One practical note: in strong winds, add weight to the base of your tripod; during long exposures, the slowly rotating blades will trace arc-shaped light trails — an effect that, if intentional, can produce a striking image.
During the northeast monsoon season (November through March), standing in the park while the blades spin at full speed in Force 7–8 winds is a memorable experience. Wind roars in from the northwest off the open sea, occasionally mixed with the sound of waves breaking on distant rocks — an intensity of sound and physical sensation that no video recording can fully convey. Penghu’s wind energy utilization rate in winter is high, with nearly all turbines running at capacity. The downside is that cold air combined with strong winds makes the apparent temperature feel 5–8°C lower than the actual reading, so a warm jacket and scarf are necessary.
Getting There and Nearby
By bus: Take a route serving the Zhongtun section of Baisha Township and alight at Zhongtun North stop (PEN299563 / PEN299602). Walk north for about 5 minutes and the turbines come into view. Alternatively, alight at Zhongtun East stop (PEN299492), about 400 m (0.25 mi) from the park. Check departure times before you go — some services run infrequently, and missing a bus may mean a 40–60-minute wait.
By car or scooter: Head north on County Road 203, continuing past Zhongtun Village. The turbines appear on the right side of the road. There is an informal gravel area alongside the road for parking. Spots fill up after 10:00 on holiday weekends; arriving in the late afternoon for the sunset tends to draw fewer crowds.
Combining with nearby attractions: A 10–15-minute walk south leads to Tongliang Banyan, a banyan over 300 years old whose dense aerial roots support a wide canopy stretching across the temple courtyard — a rare patch of natural shade, especially welcome in rain or heat. Five minutes further south is the northern approach of the Penghu Bay Bridge, roughly 2,494 m (1.55 mi) long, with a viewing platform offering open sea views on both sides. If you are heading to Jibei Island or Bird Island, Chikan Pier is about 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Zhongtun and is where the inter-island ferries depart. Timing a stop at the wind park before catching an early ferry makes for an efficient itinerary.