Kinmen – Travel guide at Wikivoyage

Kinmen (金門 Kim-mn̂g in Minnan, Jīnmén in Mandarin, literal meaning "golden gate", also known as Quemoy) is a county comprising a number of outlying ... 24.44118.33 FromWikivoyage Asia>EastAsia>Taiwan>Kinmen Kinmen Contents 1Understand 1.1History 2Talk 3Getin 3.1Byplane 3.2Byferry 4Orientation 5Getaround 5.1Bytaxi 5.2Yourownvehicle 5.2.1Byscooter 5.2.2Bybicycle 5.3Byboat 5.4Bybus 6See 6.1Militaryhistorysitesandmuseums 6.2Cultureandarchitecture 6.3Temples 6.4Nature 7Do 8Buy 9Eat 10Drink 11Sleep 12Staysafe 13Respect 14Gonext Jumptonavigation Jumptosearch AcollectionoftheattractionsaroundKinmen Kinmen(金門Kim-mn̂ginMinnan,JīnméninMandarin,literalmeaning"goldengate",alsoknownasQuemoy)isacountycomprisinganumberofoutlyingislandsnearthePeople'sRepublicofChina(PRC)butcontrolledbytheTaiwan-basedRepublicofChina(ROC)government. AlltheislandsofKinmencountyarewithinjustafewkilomtersofMainlandChina,withtheXiamencityskylineclearlyvisibleinthedistancefrommanyareas.Despite,andbecauseof,itsstatusasthefrontlineinthesemi-dormantChina-Taiwanconflict,Kinmenishighlytourist-oriented,withthemainthemesbeingmilitaryhistory,historicarchitecture,anditssignaturegaoliang(kaoliang)grainalcohol. Aboutaquarterofthecounty,includinginhabitedareas,iscoveredbyvariousunitsofKinmenNationalPark,whichislargelyconcernedwithpreservinghistoricarchitectureandformermilitarysites,aswellasnaturalareas. Understand[edit] PropagandasignonDadanIslandfacingthemainland,includingthewords"unifyChina",placedunderordersofGeneralZhaoinAug.1986,beforehewasdismissedforthe1987Lieyumassacre ThemainislandsinthecountyareGreaterKinmenandLesserKinmen(Lieyu/Liehyu).Administratively,Kinmenissplitintosixtownships,fourofwhichareonGreaterKinmen.AnotherhasLesserKinmenplusitsneighbouringsmallislands,andthesixthisacoupleofmoreremotesmallislandsthataren'topentovisitors.Theislandsarelargelyrural,madeupofamixofsmalltowns,farmland,andhistoricalsites. TheeconomyofKinmenisnowbasedmostlyontourismandthefamousKaoliangliquor(高粱酒).DriedmeatfromKinmenisalsosoldonTaiwan. KinmenandMatsuremainsensitiveareasandboththePRCandtheROCmaintainsubstantialmilitaryforcesinthearea.Travellersshouldexercisecaution,avoidpoliticaldiscussions,andavoidphotographingmilitaryinstallationsorevenpiecesofinfrastructure(bridges,dams,etc.)whichmightbemilitarytargets. AlthoughadministeredbytheTaiwanesegovernment,KinmenandMatsuareofficiallyconsideredtobepartsofFujianprovince,notofTaiwan,byboththePRCandROCgovernments.UnlikeTaiwanproper,theywerenevercolonizedbyJapan(exceptforan8-yearoccupationrelatedtoWorldWarII),insteadbeinggovernedbytheQingdynasty,andthentheMainland-basedRepublicofChina,duringTaiwan'sJapaneseperiod.Localresidentsoftenidentifyas"Kinmenese"or"Chinese"andnot"Taiwanese".Politically,KinmenisaKMTstronghold,withmostresidentsbeingfirmlyopposedtoformalTaiwanindependence.TheDPPhasmadeinroadsamongtheyoungergenerationbutmostoftheseKinmeneseenduppermanentlysettlinginTaiwanandnevergobacktoKinmen. History[edit] In1949,theCommunistswontheChinesecivilwar,defeatingtheNationalists(Kuomintang)whohadgoverned(mostof)Chinafromthe1911revolutionuntil1949.Sincethen,therehasbeenaCommunistgovernmentinmostofChina(thePeople'sRepublicofChinaorPRC)whiletheNationalistsheldontoTaiwan,whichisstillofficiallycalledtheRepublicofChinaorROC. TheislandsofKinmenandMatsuareneartheChinesecoast—Kinmenisabout10 km(under6.5miles)fromXiamen—butheldbytheTaiwan-basedROC.Theyaresymbolicallyimportant,andstrategicallyaswell,andwereoftenactivelyfoughtoverfrom1949intothe1970s.The"ArtilleryBattleof823"(partoftheSecondTaiwanStraitCrisis)wasoneofthekeybattlesthatkeptthePRCfrominvadingTaiwan.ItinvolvedartillerybombardmentofKinmenandMatsu,beginningonAugust23(8-23)1958. Relationsbetweenthetwogovernmentsimprovedgreatlyintheearly2000s;thereisextensiveTaiwaneseinvestmentinChina,anduntilrecently(duetoboththeCOVID-19pandemicandescalatingtensions)travelinbothdirectionswasmucheasierthanbefore,withMainlandChinabecomingbiggestsourceoftourismtoKinmen. Talk[edit] AsinTaiwanproper,mostresidentsthroughoutKinmencountyspeakfluent(ifaccented)Mandarin,evenifit'snotthelanguagetheyprefertospeakwiththeirfriendsandfamily.FewpeoplespeakEnglish,especiallyoutsideoftouristareas,butthelevelofEnglishisperhapsslightlybetterthaninruralMainlandChina. ThelocallanguageinmostofthecountyisMinnan(akaHokkienor"Taiwanese").Duetoitsdifferenthistory,theKinmenvarietyofMinnangenerallylackstheJapaneseloanwordsthatareubiquitousinthevarietiesinTaiwanproper,andisinsteadperceivedasbeingmoresimilartoXiamenvarietyofMainlandChina.However,Minnan-speakersfromTaiwan,Xiamen,andKinmencanallgenerallyunderstandeachother. IntheremoteoutlyingWuqiuislands,thelocallanguageisPuxianMin,whichisnotmutuallyintelligiblewithMinnan. Getin[edit] MapofKinmen Byplane[edit] KinmenAirport 24.427778118.3591671Kinmenairport(KNH IATA).MandarinAirlinesandUniAirflytoKinmenfromTaipei,Taichung,Chiayi,Tainan,Kaohsiung,andMagong/Penghuseveraltimesaday.One-wayticketscostalittleoverNT$2000.ThisistheonlywaytogettoKinmendirectlyfromTaiwan,unlessyouhaveyourownboat.(updatedOct2021) Byferry[edit] AsofJuly2022,allferriesintoKinmencountyarestillsuspendedduetotheCOVID-19pandemic.TherearenormallyferriesfromXiameninmainlandChinato24.416278118.2864342onthemainKinmenisland,andthelinkisopentoforeigners.BoatsareNT$750(asofJune2013)fromShuitoutoXiamenand¥155fromXiamen(Wǔtōngmǎtóu五通码头,Oct2016)toShuitouandrunonceanhourbetween08:30and19:00ineachdirection.ThereisalsoaferryfromQuanzhou,butitallowsonlyChineseandTaiwanesepassengers.TheferryfromXiamenWutongterminaltoShuitourunsevery30minfrom08:00until17:30. TherearenopublicferriestoKinmenfromTaiwanoranyotherislandsundertheTaiwangovernment'scontrol.BeforetheCOVID-19pandemic,itwaspossibletotakeaferryfromTaiwantoXiamen(inMainlandChina),thentaketheXiamen-KinmenferrytogettoKinmen.Thisassumesthatyouhaveavisaorvisa-freeentryeligibilityforbothChinaandTaiwan. SinceKinmenisunderTaiwanesecontrol,goingtherefrommainlandChinacountsasanexit.Thus,holdersofsingle-entryvisascannotdoshorttripstofromXiamentoKinmenandreturn.Somakesuretoclarifyyourvisasituationbeforehoppingonaferry! Ifyouarearrivingbyferry,theferryterminalhasatouristinformationdeskthatcanhelpfindyouaninn.Therearealsomoneyexchangecounters,buttheywillonlyexchangeRMBtoNT$;theywillnotexchangeothercurrencies. ThereisalsoanATMjustoutsidetheferryterminal(crosstheroad)thatacceptsVisaandMastercard.AUnionPayATMisinthedeparturearea,whereyoualsofindastalltochangeRMBtoNT$. AtthetouristservicescountersbesidesJoaneRanchRestaurant,youcanrentportableWiFi(NT$250perday)orgetanunlimiteddataSIMCard(startingfromNT$400for5days).Cashonly,nocards. Orientation[edit] GreaterKinmenislandis"butterfly-shaped"witheachofitsfouradministrativetownshipsroughlycorrespondingtooneofthefour"wings"ofthebutterfly.It'sthelargestofTaiwan'soutlyingislands,andextremelydensewithtouristsites.Ifyou'reatallinterestedinmilitaryhistoryorhistoricChinesearchitecture,expecttospendatleastafewdayslookingaround.It'sprobablynotpracticaltosee"everything",butifyou'redeterminedtotry,giveyourselfatleastaweek. Thewestern,northern,andeasternsidesofKinmenallfaceMainlandChina,withonlythesouthernsideopenthelargerTaiwanStrait.Theairportislocatedinthemiddleofthebigisland'ssoutherncoast,whilethemainurbancenter,Jincheng(previouslyspelled"Kincheng"),istuckedintothecurveofthewestcoast.Smallertownsandvillagesarescatteredallaroundtheisland.There'sno"ringroad"aroundGreaterKinmenisland-gettingbetweensitesisdonebyswitchingbetweenmajorroadsintheisland'sinteriorandsmallerloopsandspursaroundthecoastalareas(aswellasmessilycriss-crossedfarmroadsandtangledvillageallies). LesserKinmen,alsoknownasLieyuTownship,isjustsouthwestofGreaterKinmenandeasilyreachedfromthebigislandbyfrequentferries.It'scomparableinsizetoeachofthebigisland'sfourtownships.Thoughthemajorroadsareintheisland'sinterior,there'ssomethinglikea(narrow)ringroadcirclingtheisland,alongwhichmostofthetouristsitesarelocated. TherearemanysmallerisletsscatteredaroundthevicinityofGreatandLesserKinmen,whicharemostlyoccupiedbythemilitary.Thetwolargest,DadanandErdan(nottobeconfusedwithDadeng,whichisclaimedbyKinmenCountybutcontrolledbyMainlandChina),arefarthersouthwestfromLesserKinmen,andsometimesopentotourists. TheWuqiuislands,alsogovernedaspartofKinmenCounty,arefartothenorthoffadifferentpartofChina'scoast,andthoughinhabited,arecontrolledbythemilitaryandnotaccessibletooutsiders. Getaround[edit] Bytaxi[edit] Therearetaxisontheisland,thoughyouneedprettygoodMandarinorMinnanskillstonegotiatearatewiththedriver.Theyarealsoconcentratedmostlyinthecitycenter,soyoucan'tcountonfindingonejustanywhere.IfyoucanspeakMandarinorMinnan,mostofthedriversarequitefriendly,sooneshouldn'tworryaboutbargainingsuperhard.Mostofthemaren'tlookingtoripyouoff. TaxisfromtheShuitouwharftoJinchengcity'sdowntownareNT$250flatrate,androughlyNT$200toreturntothewharf. Thereareafewbusesthatrunaround,buttheyarenotfrequentandbusstopsaren'tparticularlyconvenient. Yourownvehicle[edit] RoadsinKinmenareallpaved,therearegoodmapsateveryvillageandineveryhotel,andnavigationappsaremostlyaccurate.OfficialroadsignsarewritteninbothChineseandEnglish,andarefairlywell-placed,buttheroadnetworkisveryextensiveandhaphazardlylaidout,soexpecttomisssometurnsandhavetorerouteorbacktrack.AsofJuly2022,therealsoseemtobealotofroadclosuresthatmappingappsdon'tknowabout.Someofthe"roads"onthemappingappslookmorelikebicyclepathsinreallife,buttheredon'tseemtobeanystrictrulesaboutwhichvehiclescangowhere,andlocalswouldpresumethatscooters(attheveryleast)areallowedtousethem.Bewareofhighwinds,whichcanstrikeanytimeoftheyear. Byscooter[edit] It'seasiesttojustrentyourownscooter.Youraccommodationsmaybeabletoarrangethisforyou,oryoucangeta150ccforaboutNT$550per24hoursatarentalshop.There'soneintheairport.ThereisalsoarentalplaceindowntownJinchengnearthenorthernentrancetoMofanSt(模範街).JustasinTaiwanproper,it'sillegaltorideascooterwithoutascooterormotorcyclelicense. Thoughlocalswhoknowthewayandaren'tinterestedinstoppinganywherecanrideascooterfromonecornerofGreaterJinmenislandtotheoppositecornerinabouthalfanhour,expectyourtraveltimestobemuchlonger.Setasidelotsofextratimeformissedturns,closedroads,andespeciallyforunplannedstopsforinterestingsceneryandattractions.Ifyou'reatallinterestedinmilitaryhistoryorhistoricChinesearchitecture,expectgettingfromoneendoftheislandtotheothertoenduptakingyoumostoftheday. Bybicycle[edit] Thereareanumberofpublic"KBike"automatedbicyclerentalstations(similartoYoubike1.0inTaiwan),whicharefreeforthefirsthour. Previousvisitorssaidtherewerebicyclesfreetoborrowforthedayatvariouskeylocations,suchasZhaishanTunnel,JinshuiPrimarySchool(金水國小)inShuitou,theShuangliWetlandsAreaclosetoGuningtouBattleMuseum,SiweiTunnelonLittleJinmen,aswellasvariousotherlocations,butit'suncertainwhetherthisisstillthecase.Theserentalstationswouldkeepyourpassportuntilyoureturnthebicycle,soyouwouldneedtobeawareofwheneachrentalstationcloses. LittleJinmenisparticularlygreatforbikeridingasthereisabikepathmoreorlessringingtheperimeteroftheisland(withsectionsclosedasofJuly2022),connectingmostoftheimportantsights.GreaterJinmenisratherlarge,andinexperiencedcyclistsmayfindthedistancestobeveryintimidating,especiallyintheextremeheatofthesummerorduringwindyweather(whichcanhappenanytimeoftheyear),soplanaccordingly. Byboat[edit] FerriesaretheonlypublictransportationconnectingGreaterKinmenandLesserKinmen(Lieyu)islands,atleastuntilthelong-delayedKinmenBridgeiscompleted. TheferryleaveseveryhalfhourfromShuitouPieronGreaterJinmenduringtheday,andtakesabout10-15minutestocross.AsofJuly2022,thefareasNT$60perpersonplusNT$100perscooter,eachway.Notethatscooterspaceismorelimitedthanpassengerspace,sobringingascootermaymakeyoumorelikelytomissoneboatandhavetowaitforthenextone.Ticketscanbepurchasedwithcashintheoffice,butmostpeopleusetheirEasyCard(thesamecardusedontheTaipeiMetroandmanypublictransitsystemsinTaiwan).iPasscardsarealsoaccepted,butunliketheEasyCard,youcan'taddvaluetothemattheticketoffice.Theboardingprocessisabitofamess-ifyou'retoldtoparkyourscootertothesideandwait,getoffandstandinlineinfrontoftheEasyCardreadermachinestoavoidlosingyourplace. BeforetheCOVID-19pandemic,itwaspossibletobookapublicboatfromLesserKinmentotheDadanandErdanisletstothesouthwest,butasofJuly2022theseseemtostillbesuspended.Duetolandingsontheisletsbeingsensitivetotidalandweatherconditions,we'retoldthatitwasnecessarytobooktheboatsaweekinadvance,withcancellationsstillcommoninpriortodeparture. Bybus[edit] Kinmenhasabusservicespecificallyfortourists.DayticketsareNT$200andincludebusridesandguidedtoursatalldestinations(Chineseonly).DepartureisfromthebusstationinKinchengat08:30and13:30. LineA(morning):toJuguangTower(莒光樓)andseveralsitesinShuitou,includingtraditionalarchitecture,housesbyreturneesfromSoutheastAsia(includingaPeranakanhouse)andtheZhaishantunnels(翟山坑道)anundergroundnavyinstallation. LineB(afternoon):toGuning,northofKincheng,toseveralmuseumsandsitesrelatedtomilitaryhistoryandthebattleof1949inparticular,andawildlifemuseum. LinesCandDstartfromShanwaiintheeastoftheisland. Publicbusesalsogotoallpartsoftheisland,includingthemajorsites,theferryterminalandtheairport(red1line,紅一).Buses7/7A/7BrunfromtheShuitouPier,toShuitou,andfinallytoKincheng.Buses9/10/11gotothenorthwestpartoftheisland,particularlytheShuangliWetlandAreaandGuningtouBattleMuseum.BusfaresareNT$12orNT$24forlongdistances(suchasfromKinchengtotheeasternhalfofKinmen).ForLittleKinmen,thefareisNT$10.Understandthatbusescanberatherinfrequentandmanydonotrunlate.Also,thebusdriverswillskipastationifthereisnoonewaitingthere,sopressthe"getoff"buttonwhenyouwanttogetoff.Kinchenghasamajorbusstationwithbusestomanypartsoftheislandandalsohasaveryusefultouristoffice. See[edit] TheWindLionGodsofKinmenareuniquestatuesallovertheisland,youcaneitherseetheoriginalsinthevillages(thiscantakesomepatienceandhuntingskills)orjustgotothenewWindLionGodParkneartheShangYiAirport.Theybeganassimplestonesplacedatthenortheastcornersofsettlementstowardoffevilcominginwiththewinterseasonalwinds.Overtime,theydevelopedintobrightly-decorated,andslightlyhumorous,individuallionstatues.Oneofthelatertrendsistowraptheminredclothshawlstogivethemprotectionfromthecoldwinds. "RepublicofChina"patriotismnostalgia.Allaroundtheislandaremonumentsandgiantredinscriptions(inChinese)containingpatrioticslogans,mostlyfrompastdecadesallorientedaroundprideintheNationalists'"RepublicofChina"astherightfulgovernmentofallChina,ratherthaninanyseparatecountryof"Taiwan".Thesemaybehardtoappreciateifyoudon'treadChinesethough. Militaryhistorysitesandmuseums[edit] Aug.23ArtilleryBattleMuseum. 24.443056118.432518-2-3Artillerybattlemuseum.Smallbutexcellentmuseum,withalargeamountofEnglishsignagetohelpexplaintheexhibits.AshortlooptellingthestoryoftheSecondTaiwanStraitCrisisof1958,inwhichtheNationalistsinKinmenandCommunistsonthemainlandshelledeachotherwithartilleryalmostnon-stopformonths,adecadeaftertheendoftheChineseCivilWar.ThereisalsoaVirtualWarroomwhereyoucanexperiencewarfor3minutes.Outdoorstherearehistoricmilitaryvehiclesondisplay,includingtanks,afighterplane,andanamphibiouslandingvehicle.Free.(updatedJan2018) 24.425118.3192JuguangTower(莒光樓)(southofKinchengonHuandaoWestRoad(環島西路一段);LineAtouristbus).Memorialbuildingwithasmallmilitarymuseumandviewsofsurroundingareas,neardowntownJincheng.(updatedJan2018) ZhaishanTunnel. 24.390415118.320733NOTEXISTINGLISTINGIMAGEZhaishantunnels(翟山坑道)(atthesoutherntipofthewesternpartofKinmen;LineAtouristbus).Historicundergroundnavypier,whereboatscouldoffloadsuppliesoutofreachofMainlandartillery.Artillerygunsandboatsondisplayoutside.Free.(updatedOct2021) 24.423639118.2626944SiweiTunnel(四維坑道).OnLittleKinmenisevenlongerandquieterthanZhaishanTunnel.It'slocatedjusttotheleftoftheferryterminalasyougetoff.(updatedJan2018) 24.465097118.2976425TriangleFortress(三角堡),☏+88682313271.08:30-17:00.inGuningwestofZilake(滋湖)tothenorthofJincheng,overlookingthepassagetoJinchengtownbetweenKinmenandsmallKinmenisland,withagroupofM41tanksondisplayoutside.TheadjacentbeachisagoodplacetoseeviewsoftheXiamenskyline,aswellastherowsofsteelspikesthattheNationalistslinedthecoastwithtopreventanamphibiousinvasion.LineBtouristbusandbus9.Free.(updatedJan2018) 24.503963118.437096LionMountain(獅山炮陳地),☏+88682355697.Withanundergroundhowitzerbaseandmuseum,inShanhouinthenortheastofKinmen,nearShanhouCultureVillage.Bus31fromShamei(沙美,bus5or5AfromKinchengtoShamei)(updatedJan2018) 24.423639118.261427[deadlink]Jiugongtunnel(九宮坑道)(ontheneighboringLieyuisland,alsopartoftheRepublicofChina),☏+88682364405.08:00-17:00.Asmallcomplexofseatunnelsthatwasusedasamaterialtransportpipeline.(updatedOct2021) 24.40975118.29858DeyueGunTower(得月樓).08:30-27:00.Thetowerwasbuiltin1931byHuangHui-huang,awealthymerchantfromShuitou.(updatedJun2019) 24.432453118.3185349KinmenMilitaryHeadquartersofQingDynasty(清金門鎮總兵署),☏+88682371717.09:00-22:00.ItwasbuiltasastudyhouseduringtheMingDynasty,itwasthentransformedintotheKinmenMilitaryHeadquartersofQingDynastyduringtheruleoftheKangxiEmperorwhenCommanderofKinmenrelocatedhisofficefromJinmenchengtoJincheng.(updatedJun2019) 24.457214118.40487210TaiwuMartyrs'Shrine(太武忠烈祠).(updatedJun2019) 24.4431118.43211YuDaWeiXianShengMemorialMuseum(俞大維先生紀念館),☏+88682330599.AsmallmuseuminZhongzhengPark,nexttothe8-2-3ArtilleryBattleMuseum,commemoratingthelifeofthegeneralwhoiscreditedwithwinningthe8-2-3artillerywar.Free.(updatedJun2019) 24.483118.32112GuningWarHistoryMuseum(古寧頭戰史館).Onthe1949battle,includingmanypaintings,tanks,jeeps.Thevillagesnexttoit(NanshanandBeishan,南山/北山)haveafewbuildingsstillriddledwithbulletholesfromthebattle.LineBtouristbusandbus9,10,and11.(updatedJan2018) 24.448215118.3846813MilitaryBrothelExhibitionHall(特約茶室展示館),☏+88682337839.08:30-17:00.AsmallmuseumdetailingKinmen'shistoryoflegalizedbrothelssetupbythegovernmentforsoldiers,manyofwhomwerestrandedontheislandfortherestoftheirlivesafterretreatingfromMainlandChina.Glossesoverthedarkeraspectsofthestory,andistoldlargelyfromthepointofviewofthemen,butstillhassomeinterestinginformation.Many,butnotall,signsareinEnglishaswellasChinese.Free,openeveryday.No.126QionglinliXiaojing,JinhuTown,inthemiddleofisland.AskthetouristofficeattheJinchengbusstationforbusesthatstopthere.(updatedJan2018) 24.446647118.23106614HujingtouBattleMuseum(湖井頭戰史館),☏+88682364403.08:30-17:00.Themuseumdisplaysthebattlehistory,anobservationpost,andabroadcastingstation.(updatedJun2019) Cultureandarchitecture[edit] OneofKinmen'scallingcardsisitshighdensityofpreserved,andoftenbeautifully-restored,historichousesandcommunitytemples.Thesehistoricbuildings(古厝)areamixoftraditionalFujianesestyles(withnotabledifferencesfromTaiwan,suchas"saddle"-shapedroofs)and100-year-oldWestern-inspiredarchitecture(洋樓)importedbyChineseemigrantsreturningfromEuropeancoloniesinSoutheastAsia.Youcanfindthemeverywhere,includingindowntownJincheng,buttheoutervillages(聚落)aremuchmorestriking,withlargeconcentrationsofrestored(orsometimesruined)oldhousesandfamilyshrinesinthevillagecenters.Ifyoutravelaroundthemainislandoffofthemainarteryroads,you'resuretorunintosomeofthesevillages.Manyoftheoldhousesarestilloccupiedbyfamilies,whileothersareabandoned,ahandfularesmallmuseums,andmanymorehavebeenconvertedintotouristaccomodations(民宿). 24.503841118.44040215Kinmenculturalvillage(金門民俗文化村),☏+88682355347.08:00-17:00.AlsoreferredtoasShanhouCultureVillage(山后民俗文化村),it'sagreatlittleplacetopokearound,withKinmens2bestantiquestoresbeinglocatedwithinthewalls.ItisonlyNT$50togetinandabeautifulandwellmaintainedexampleofSouthFujianstyletraditionalChinesehouseswithswallowtailroofsandwasbuilttowardstheendofthe1800s.(updatedJan2018) 24.409332118.29795516JinshuiPrimarySchool(金水國小).InShuitou,withasmallemigrationandoverseasChinesemuseum.LineAtouristbusandbus7/7A/7B.(updatedOct2021) 24.409727118.2984917ShuitouDeyueTower(水頭得月樓).Withthesurroundingbuildings,inShuitou,previouslythehighestbuildinginKinmen,oldbuildingsbuiltbyrichoverseasChinesemerchants,includingaPeranakanfamily,resultinginacomplexofbuildingswithamixoflocalandWesternarchitecture.LineAtouristbusandbus7/7A/7B(updatedJan2018) 24.4784118.31218GulongtouZhenweiResidence(古龍頭振威第).Ahistoricalbuildingandagoodexampleofthearchitectureofthetime.(updatedJun2019) 24.5266118.4119MashanBroadcastingandObservationStation(馬山觀測站),☏+88682330086.08:30-17:00.AhistoricalbroadcastingstationandobservationtowerinJinshaTownship.ThestationusedtosendoutpropagandamessagetothePeople'sLiberationArmysoldiersonMainlandChinatosurrenderandjointheRepublicofChinaArmedForces.(updatedJun2019) 24.431636118.31907920MofanStreet(模範街).ThestreetgetsitsnamefromtheuniformhybridarchitectureofChineseandWesternstyleswhichmeansModelStreet.The75-m-longstreetfeaturesbuildingswithbrickexteriorsandarcheddoorfrontsmodeledaftertheJapanese,FujianandWesternarchitecture.Thereare16buildingsateachsideconnectedbyacommonarcade.(updatedJun2019) 24.398418118.30567521XuJiangXiaoWoStoneInscription(虛江嘯臥碣群),☏+88682325643.24hr.AlargestoneinscriptionwhichdatesbacktotheMingDynasty.(updatedJun2019) 24.431385118.31853722ChiouLianggong'sMotherChastityArch(邱良功母節孝坊),☏+88682318823.24hr.Astonearcherectedin1812byQiuLiang-gongtohonourhismother,whohadraisedhimafterhisfather'searlydeath.(updatedJun2019) 24.437278118.39011123ChenJing-lanWesternHouse(陳景蘭洋樓).08:30-17:30.Itwasbuiltin1917byalocalbusinesspersonwhobuiltuphissuccessinSingapore.DuringWorldWarII,thehousewasusedasamilitaryhospital.Itisthelargest'Western-style'houseinKinmen.(updatedJun2019) Temples[edit] DaiTianFu,atempleneartheeasterngateofKincheng AtempleinJincheg TemplescanbefoundeverywhereonKinmenandLittleKinmen,manyofwhichareverytinyandquaint.TheytendtobesimilartotheonesfoundinTaiwan,butoftenwithevenmorespectacularswallowtailroofdecorations.BesidestheconventionaltemplesdedicatedtovariousDaoist/Buddhist/Chinesefolkdeities,manyofthelargerhistoric"houses"intheoutervillagesareactuallyfamilyancestralshrines. 24.408642118.2883524MaoshanPagoda(茅山塔).JusttothewestofShuitou,itisnotparticularlyimpressivestructurecomparedtomanypagodasinChina/Taiwan,buttheviewsofthesurroundingareaarequiteimpressiveandit'saveryquietplacewithveryfewtourists.(updatedJan2018) 24.4167118.31725WentaiPagoda(文臺寶塔).Erectedfortheobservationofthestarstomakefengshuipredictionsin1387.Thecurrenttowerisarestoration.(updatedJan2018) 24.434489118.31739426ZhuZiCi(朱子祠).09:00-17:00.AnancestraltempleoftheZhufamily.(updatedJun2019) 24.424486118.30477327KoxingaShrine(延平郡王祠),☏+88682325057.AshrineonthewesternportionoftheislanddedicatedtothemilitaryfigureKoxinga.(updatedJun2019) 24.430965118.31960928DaiTianFu(代天府),☏+88682325842.(updatedJun2019) Nature[edit] Thoughlessfamousfornature,Kinmenstillhasafairbitofit.Thetwomostproudfeaturesareitscountybird,thefan-headedEurasianHoopoe(rareinTaiwan),whichmostbirdwatcherswillbeabletofindwhilethere,andtheEurasianRiverOtter,whichisalsoabsentfromTaiwanproper.You'llhavetogetreallyluckytoseeawildotter,buttheyandthehoopoesarealloverthecounty'stouristsouvenirs. TheForestRecreationArea,locatedalongSection3,HuandaoEastRoad,isamulti-purposeareaforbarbecues,achildplayground,botanicalgardens,andmore. Duringthewinter,flocksofmigratorybirdscometoKinmenandLittleKinmentonest.Theycanbeseenandheardatthemanylakesandpondsontheislands.TheShuangliWetlandsAreaisagoodplaceforinformationandbirdwatching.It'sinNanshanvillage,veryclosetoBeishanandGuningtouBattleMuseumandnottoofarfromZiLake(CiLake).Buses9,10and11gothere. Strollingalonganyofthebeachesisquitepeacefulandtherearetwobonusattractionstobeseen:crumblingmilitaryfortificationsandviewsofXiamen,especiallyfromthewesternshoreofLittleKinmenorthenorthwesternshoreofKinmen. 24.394281118.31560829GugangLake(古崗湖),☏+88682313100.ThelakefeaturestheGugangPavilionwhichwasbuiltin1964byZhuangWu-nanfromTamsui,Taipei.Thepavilionis16metersinheight.(updatedJun2019) 24.427445118.30007530JiangongIslet(建功嶼).TheislandhasastatueofKoxingawhichwasbuiltin1968tocommemoratetheMingDynastyherowholedtheresistanceagainstManchurianinvaders.Theisletalsohasaviewingplatformoffersaviewofthesurroundingarea.(updatedJun2019) 24.430194118.3102531JinchengSeasidePark(金城海濱休閒公園).(updatedJun2019) Do[edit] Beachesandwatersports.Inthehotsummermonths,touristsandlocalsflocktotheKinmen'sbeaches,eithertoplayortodigforclams.OneofthemajordestinationsisOucuoBeach(歐厝沙灘)inthesouthwest,ahuge,wide-openbeachofsoft,warm-brownsand.Therearelotsofareasforkidstoplayinthesandorshallowpoolsofwater,atleastduringlowtide.Atlowtideyoucanalsoseetherusted-outremainsofascrappedbattletankhalfburiedinthesandawaystothewestofthemainbeachaccess.Swimatyourownrisk.MuchofKinmen'scoastlineisrestricted,withnowateractivitiesallowed,socheckbeforegettinginthewateratothersites.Somewatersportsmaybeavailablefromtourismoperators,suchasstanduppaddleboard(SUP)orwindsurfing.Therearealsoswimmingcompetitionsintheoceanduringthesummer. Birdwatching:BirdersfromTaiwancometoKinmentoseebirdspeciesthatarerareinTaiwanproperbutcommoninMainlandChina.BesidesthecountymascotEurasianHoopoe,otherspecialtiesincludeBlue-tailedBee-eatersinthesummer,GreatCormorantsinthewinter,andPiedandWhite-throatedKingfishersyear-round.Forbeginners,afunthingtonoteisthatKinmen'smynabirds(visibleeverywhere)areallindigenousCrestedMynas,whileinTaiwanthisspecieshasbeenalmostentirelyreplacedwithintroducedJavanMyna'sandCommonMynas. Ifyoucanfindall63"official"windliongodstatues,theonesthatarerepresentedinthepark,andpresentprooftotheparkoffice,theywillgiveyouaspecialgift(asofJuly2022,therearenowover100ofthenontheofficialmap,andwedidn'tcheckwhetherthere'sstillaprize. Buy[edit] Chinesestylecleaver CleaversareKinmen'sbest-knowntouristproduct.Theyarefamousformakingexcellentqualitycleavers;thesteelissaidtobeobtainedfromthehundredsofthousandsofshellsthattheCommunistforcesfiredatKinmen,inafailedattempttotaketheislandawayfromtheNationalisttroops.ThemostauthenticknivesandthebestplaceforafactorytourisMaestroWu'sKnives. Itisclaimedthatasingleshellcasingcanmakeapproximately60blades;thisisdoubtful.Alsodoubtfulistheclaimthatcurrentbladesaremadefromshellcasings,sinceshellingstoppedinthelate1970s. Finishingqualityforcleavershasdroppedalotsincethemid-1990s.EvenforMaestroWu'sKnife'stopsellingspecial-designedcleavers,thewords"MadeinKinmen"arebarelyvisibleand/orbadlyengraved.Salespersonsweretaughttotoethelinethat"itsbecausethesteel'squalityissogoodthattheengravingmachinecannotcarvethewordsproperly".Thisisabadsalestacticandasorryexcuseforaoncefamousknifebrandthatwasbuiltonquality. Eat[edit] WhileKinmenlacksthehighpricefancyfareofmorepopulatedlocales,cheapdelicioussnackshopsareeverywhereinthedowntownareaofKincheng.Taiwanesefavoritessuchasfriedchickencutlets,friedoysterballsandchowmeincanbefoundwithoutmuchtrouble.PricesaveragearoundNT$50peritemwhichisquitereasonableconsideringthequality. Drink[edit] Kaoliangliquor KinmenisthehomeofTaiwan'sdistinctive"Kaoliang"liquor,atequila-likehardliquorpopularalloverTaiwan.Thefactoryislocatedrightinthemiddleoftheisland,notfarfromtheairportandishardtomisswithitsdistinctivesmellandtwotwo-storyliquorbottlesguardingthefrontgates.ThisisoneoftheupmarketbrandsofthewidespreadChineseliquorbaijiu;seeChinesecuisine#Alcoholicforbackground. WhiteLion,jincheng.18:00-24:00.AniceCanadian/Taiwaneseownedpubbesidetemple.  Sleep[edit] PricesforstaysinKinmenstartfromabout$600perpersonpernightinthesummerhighseason.Mostoftheaccomodationsareminsu(民宿),somethinginbetweenaB&Bandasmall,independenthotel(oftenmisleadinglylabeled"homestays").Manyofthemid-rangeandupper-rangeonesarelocatedinsidebeautifully-restoredhistorichousesinKinmen'soutervillages. DaJhaiMenHomestay,☏+88682-320008.Actuallyarathertumbledownhotel,notahomestay,themanagementisneverthelessveryfriendlyandthelocationconvenient.DoubleroomNT$1200regulardaysandNT$1500weekendsandholidays.LocationNo.84JhushanVillage,JinchengTownship,Kinmen.  VisitKinmenGuestHouseisatraditionalKinmenoldhouserestoredbyKinmenNationalParkinShanhouVillage,thenortheastside.VisitKinmenGuestHouseprovidesaplacewheretravelerscanstaywitharelaxedatmosphereafterexploringthebeautifulsceneryofKinmen.Theguesthousehasthreedoubleroomsfortwopeopleandonefamilyroomwithtwinbedthatisgoodforgroupoffourpeople,ratesfromNT$1400–2400.Pleasefindusonwebforfurtherinformation. IN99(nearJinchengbusstation,newbuilding),☏+88682324851.Check-in:14:00,check-out:12:00.nicenewbusinesshotelinJinchengNT$1800.  Staysafe[edit] ThoughformalhostilitieswiththePRCendedbytheearly1980s,Kinmenisstillverymuchafrontlinearea.Visitorsarestronglyadvisednottowanderoffpavedroadswhenexploringtheislandduetothepossibilityofrunningacrossoldunmarkedminefields.Itisalsoadvisabletoavoidtravelingtocertainsensitiveareasafterdark,suchascoastalareasorareasnearmilitaryinstallations.Visitorsshouldalsoobeyallordersgivenbymilitarypersonnelandavoidenteringorphotographingsensitiveareas. Respect[edit] SomeKinmeneseareproudoftheir"Chinese"identityratherthan"Taiwanese".Assuch,inKinmen,labellingthelocals"Taiwanese"couldsometimescauseoffense(thoughasalways,therearealsomanylocalswhodon'tmindorwhocallthemselvesthat).Likewise,whileyouareinKinmen,don'tassumethatyoushouldrefertotheRepublicofChinaasawholeas"Taiwan".Tobesafe,callthecountry"RepublicofChina",anduse"Taiwan"onlytorefertotheislandofTaiwan.Likewise,callthelocaldialect"Kinmenese","MinNan",or"Quemoy"ratherthan"Taiwanese". Politicalissues,especiallyTaiwanindependence,arebestavoided.AlthoughmostresidentsoftheislandarestronglyopposedtoTaiwaneseindependence,thatdoesnotmeantheysupportthePeople'sRepublicofChinagovernmentinBeijing;theyareproudcitizensoftheTaiwan-basedRepublicofChina. Gonext[edit] Therearetwochoices;Taiwaniseasilyreachedbyplane,andXiameninmainlandChinaisaccessiblebyferry(asofJuly2022,stillsuspendedduetheCOVIDpandemic).TogotoXiamen,holdersofmostpassportsneedtoalreadyhaveaChinesevisa;thereisnoofficetoissuethemonKinmen. ThiscitytravelguidetoKinmenisanoutlineandneedsmorecontent.Ithasatemplate,butthereisnotenoughinformationpresent.Pleaseplungeforwardandhelpitgrow! 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