Kesatuan Pelancongan Kinmen

Shanhou Folk Cultural Village is located in Shanhou Village. The village was built in 1900. With an area of 1,230 pings, the village has eighteen buildings and houses of traditional Fujian style. The buildings were built by the Chinese Japanese Wang Kuo Chen and Wang Ching Hsiang for their relatives and materials were shipped from Changzhou, Chuanzhou and Jiangxi Province. It took 20 years to finish the construction. The eighteen buildings and houses were damaged after years of wind erosion. The Kinmen government redecorated the buildings and claimed it a cultural village.

The Zhaishan Tunnel are located to the southeast of Gugang Lake, in an area where the southern coastline juts out. Construction began on these tunnels in 1961 and was completed on March 22, 1966.

This five-story hexagonal stone “pagoda” was built in 1387, during the Ming Dynasty. The solid granite structure was designed to serve as a navigational marker for ships negotiating the treacherous waters near Kinmen. Though small, the pagoda exhibits an impressively simple and dignified style. Its peak features carvings and relief work, and stones near its base exhibit playful Chinese calligraphy written by the Ming Dynasty scholar Chen Hui as well as the contemporary artist Chang Ta-chien.

This is the symbol of Kinmen, and a popular tourist spot. The tower itself, built in imposing ancient Chinese style, contains a cultural gallery. Two cannon in front of the tower reflect the turbulent history of Kinmen.

The area around Guningtou is the famous site of the bloody Battle of Guningtou in which Republic of China (ROC) troops repelled an invasion by Communist forces. The invasion extended from Guningtou to Longkou. In the battle, the invading forces were annihilated by the ROC defenders. A large gate was constructed at in the area with the inscription “Guningtou.” Nearby is a bronze statue depicting a heroic defender, creating a solemn mood. Near the shore at Lincuo is the “Memorial to the Annihilation of the Enemy.” Visitors here can commemorate this historic victory by the ROC forces.

The Taihu Recreation area is a park centered on Taihu. The park covers an area of 45 hectares; the August 23 Artillery War Museum is located here, giving the park a special historical significance. With a surface area of 36 hectares, Taihu is Kinmen’s largest man-made freshwater lake; completed in 1965, it contains three islands topped by elegant pavilions. A Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644) residence in the park has been excavated from the sand and restored, giving an additional touch of interest to the area.

Mashan is the point where Kinmen is closest to mainland China. The distance of separation is only 2,100 meters; at low tide, when more land area is exposed, the distance shrinks to just 1,800 meters. The observation station is located in a long, narrow trench and is equipped with three pairs of high-powered binoculars through which the daily life of the fishing villages on the opposite shore can be seen clearly.

Kinmen National Park was established in 1995, 3,528.74 hectares in area. It is the sixth national park of Taiwan. The island of Kinmen was constantly harassed by Japanese pirates in the 16th century; thus, the government equipped the island with defense works and arms. During the war between KMT and the Chinese communists, there were several memorable battles in Kinmen. In addition, there are traditional southern Fujian buildings and shell mounds in Kinmen. The park is to preserve history and culture and to remember previous wars.

Located in Zhongzheng Park, this museum was built in 1988 as a memorial to the long weeks of the artillery war. Its displays are designed to give a sense of the valorous events of that period.

This memorial arch is outstanding among traditional stone monuments. It was erected in 1812 in honor of the mother of Chiu Liang-gong, a governor-general of Chiuliang province and resident of Kinmen; the lady’s virtuous contribution was to live 28 years in widowhood without remarrying. The monument is made of the finest stone and exhibits exquisite workmanship, making it a true piece of art.

Houpu has a history dating back six or seven hundred years. It is the political and economic center of Kinmen and home to numerous legends and historic sites. The cultural legacy of the town combines southern Fujianese and overseas Chinese influences, as well as traces of its battlefield history. To walk its streets is to take a journey back in time.

This mountain rises 253 meters, making it the tallest in Kinmen. Four huge Chinese characters at the peak, carved from the calligraphy of the late President Chiang Kai-shek in 1952, say “Wu Wang Zai Ju (Jyu)”-Don’t Forget Ju (Jyu)-reflecting the hope that the Nationalist forces would regroup here and grow strong again.

Zhenwei Residence was the home of a Ching dynasty naval commander named Li Guang-hsien, whose military contributions led to his posthumous promotion to admiral. His house is now over 200 years old.