Orchid Isl., or lokaly known as Lan'yu or Lany'ue, or as Hung- t'ou Hsu, is located round 60 kilometers east of Oluanpi Peninsula, the south extremity of Taiwan Isl. The island is round 15 kilometers from north-west to south-east, and 7 kilometers wide in its northern part. Orchid is well mounted, the coastline is partly steep-to and cliffy, partly with some sandy beaches. The maximum elevations are found in the northern part of the island, vere some mountains reached 400 meters.

There are four villages on the island, Lan'yu the main village with an airodrom, located on the south-west side, Yehy located on the west side, Lang'ao near the north extremity of the island and Yeh'yin on its east side. The main habour is located in Lan'yu, is importand and mainly used by fish-vessels. The island is partly surrounded by a reef, composited of corall and rocks, and therfor landing outside the both habours is dangerous. The island was in the past a very historical place. Thousands of years ago the Yami Culture was founded on the island. Today there is a big museum of the culture is found some south of Lang'ao.

LITTLE ORCHID ISLAND (21N58; 121E34) is a small island, located 7 kilometers south-east of the souther extrimity of Orchid Isl. These island is localy known as Hisao- hung-t'ou Hsu. The island is steep and cliffy on all sides, up to 123 meters in elevation and uninhabited. There is a ruined village on its south side, where the only save landing-palce is found. Little Orchid is the most southern part of Taiwan and is one of the most northern islands of the Luzon-Island-Chain.