Explore the region
About Chixi Columnar Basalt
Chixi Columnar Basalt (池西玄武岩) is a volcanic-rock exposure on Xiyu's western coast. Cooling and contraction of lava produced the joints that divide the rock into columns. The distinctive feature here is their variety: upright, tilted, curved and fallen-looking forms appear together, with dark rock colours changing along the coast.
The Rock Waterfall nickname can refer to the flowing appearance of the bent columns, as well as water once running down from ponds above. It should not be taken as a promise of a permanent waterfall. At the base, rectangular former abalone-culture pools add a human-made geometric pattern beside the natural rock structure.
Tide level changes how much of the lower landscape can be seen. Read the columns from an authorised vantage point first, then compare their direction and joints with the pool walls below. Exposed stone may be slippery, and the visual appeal of the old pools does not make all lower surfaces suitable for walking or swimming.
What to look for
- Varied orientations of columnar basalt
- The curved rock pattern behind the Rock Waterfall nickname
- Former abalone pools visible according to tide level
Location & getting there
Getting to Chixi Columnar Basalt
Search for Chixi columnar basalt on Xiyu’s west coast. Check the tide and local access boundaries; Chixi and neighbouring basalt sites are distinct places.
- Search for 池西玄武岩 with 西屿乡.
Find Chixi Columnar Basalt
池西玄武岩 · 西屿乡
No reliable map pin yet: search by the Chinese name.
Sources & visit information
Identity, setting and selected historical, cultural or natural features were checked against the linked official sources on 10 September 2026. This is a sourced introduction and observation guide. Current exhibitions, access, prices and transport services need a fresh check before travel.
Selected visitor facts translated and adapted from Tourism Administration and contributing local tourism authorities, 2026 Tourism Information Database v2.1 — 池西柱狀玄武岩&池西岩瀑九孔池 (Attraction_A15010200H_000053) · Open Government Data License 1.0.
Image credits & notes (1)
- Columnar basalt formations at Chixi, Penghu · 澎湖池西柱状玄武岩Photo: Rick888chen · CC BY-SA 4.0 · taken 2019-08-14Resized for the web; the photo itself has not been edited. Marks added by the source remain. Thumbnails may show a cropped view.
