Tour guidance
Tour guidance
Each island of Matsu Geopark has its own attractions. In this part, we are going to provide the relative location and features of all attractions.
1 ▎ Attractions of Dongyin
Dongyin township consists of Dongyin and Xiyin Islands, located at 90 nautical miles, which is about 167 kilometers, northwest of Keelung, Taiwan. The two islets, connected by an embankment constructed by the R.O.C. Armed Forces, are home to a large number of military outposts. Dongyin's strategic military role of protecting the northern frontier of Matsu gives it a strong battlefield character that remains to this day. Dongyin was formerly known as Dongyong, literally “Eastern surge,” for the deep, turbulent waters that surround it. According to local legend, a small island thrust up from the sea off the northwestern coast of Fujian, and was consequently named for its surging from the northwestern sea, “Dong (east) Yong (surge).” But the actual origin of this name should be credited to sailors. Because the waters around Dongyin are the deepest among the Matsu Islets, as ships sailing east from Nangan towards Dongyin, would encounter large waves after passing Liang Islet, thus “eastern surge” was coined. The name of Dongyong was changed to Dongyin in 1956, when a township was formally established.
1.1 Nature Landscape
a. A Thread of Sky ( 一線天)
Highlight: special landforms
“A thread of sky” presents a landscape of sea groove, of which two vertical sea cliffs are adjacent to each other with only a narrow gap in between, resembling a thin thread that shows the sky above and the sea below. The sound of waves pounds against the rocks, reverberating like a herd of stampeding horses. This explains the four words carved on the rock face of one cliff, “Tian Feng Ling Tao,” listening to the sound of waves from the narrow cliff that looks like a line of sky.
b. Stronghold No.33 (三山據點)
Highlight: sea-eroded landscapes
Stronghold No.33 is located at the westernmost corner of Xiyin Island. In early times, as a stronghold that controls the sea area of the south of Dongyin, it was quite essential for military purposes. From this spot, magnificent landscapes, such as wide bays, headlands, sea grooves and sea caves densely distributed along the coastline can all be seen. At the south side of the stronghold, there is a line of outcrops at the tip of headlands. Affected by exogenetic processes, such as maritime erosion, weathering, etc., the outcrops gradually become parallel with the joints and lined in order.
c. Suicide Cliff(烈女義坑)
Highlight: special landforms
Suicide Cliff is a sea-eroded cliff almost 100 meters high, behind Tianwang’ao. Legend had it that a woman jumped off the cliff to keep her chastity. Suicide Cliff was thus named in memory of her virtue. On the west side of Suicide Cliff, there is a huge rock, which is also a unique landscape named “Chastity Rock.” Similar to the legend of Suicide Cliff, the name came from a story of a woman that sat on the rock and waited for her husband.
d. Yanxiu Tidal Echo (燕秀潮音)
Highlight: sea cave
Yanxiu Tidal Echo is a natural sea-eroded landform called “wind cave”. “Yanxiu,” meaning “swallow’s (Yan) nest (Xiu),” was named to indicate that swallows used to build their nests in this area of narrow coastal strip to safe guard their nests. There is a footpath around the valley, from the top of which a panorama of coastal landscapes can be seen, including sea cliff, gulf, headland, sea caves, etc. Among these landscapes, a group of rocks on the sea, called“Laoshusha rock forest (老鼠沙石林)”is particularly beautiful and gains a poetic name, “Golden flowers and silver candles.”
How to get there: go across the farm on the opposite side of Dongyin Distillery and pass through the military camp.
e. Three-color Rock (三色石) and Bei-gu Reef (北固礁)
Highlight: natural scene
In the western end of Dongyin, i.e. Xiyin, lie Three-color Rock, Elephant Rock and Bei-gu Reef. They are located very close to the “Northernmost Frontier” sign. The three-color Rock is a rock mass with three different types of igneous rocks intersecting each other. It forms a splendid look for both amateurs and geologists. The Bei-gu Reef is a small isolated reef about 600 meters to the north of the “Northernmost Frontier” sign. It is not only the northernmost reef of Taiwan’s territory, but also a reef that caused a ship wreck in the 1901 shipping history. Sobaron was a British twin-screw steamer. She left Shanghai bound for London via Hong Kong with crew, passengers, mails, and cargo. The ship wreck made Dongyin and Dongyung lighthouse even more attractive for storytelling. The path leading to the sites from Hou’ao village are full of various plants. The colors of the plants and flowers fill the place with seasonal beauty. In August and September, red spider lily, hardy spider lily and Rosa bracteates wendel are the most magnificent of the area.
1.2 Cultural Landscape
a. Northernmost Frontier ( 國之北疆)
Highlight: man-made relic
One of the representative sites in Dongyin is a sign of the “Nation’s Northernmost Frontier” (“Guo-zi-beijian” 國之北疆). It is important for its symbolic meaning to show case when the nationalist and the communist between the two sides of Taiwan Strait had a very intense rivalry relationship in the cold war era, claiming territorial ownership was critical. That was one such legacy that Taiwan government established the sign in Hou’ao of Xiyin during the cold war era.
The exact site the sign of “Nation’s Northernmost Frontier” refers to is not where the sign is. It refers to a very small reef, named “Bei-gu Reef” ( 北固礁), 600 meters to its north. “Bei-gu” literally means “fortifying the north” to convey a national determination. The reef is located at 26°22'58.8" N and 120°28'34.0" E, to be geodtic.
The reef submerges under the sea water when the tide is high. So it takes a good timing if you are determined to see the reef. Reefs are natural in their own right, but the aspiration and desire of human society make them full of socio-cultural and even military connotation.
b. Andong Tunnel ( 安東坑道)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
Andong Tunnel was dug by the Nationalist Army, and is located beside Dongyin Visitor Center. It was built during the cold war, in the 1970s. After the military released it in 2002, it was renovated and opened to the public in 2004. The restored scenic outlook, arsenal, military barracks, meeting hall, and pigsty in the tunnel are worthy of visiting. The sea-facing artillery point of the tunnel is a site where black-tailed gulls nest in the summer. At the time of breeding season, black-tailed gulls gather here, and make it a great spot of birdwatching. They can be seen year round. Black-tailed gulls thus become the symbol of Dongyin.
c. Dongyong Lighthouse (東湧燈塔)
Highlight: historical relic
Dongyong Lighthouse, standing on the flank of Shiwei Hill, is the most representative lighthouse of Taiwan, located at the northernmost of ROC territory. The lighthouse was built in 1877 of English architectural style (by an English engineer), and was designated as a class three national historic site in 1988. Since its location on the headland is obvious, it was helpful for navigation. There is a “Shiwei Hill Footpath,” between Suicide Cliff and Dongyong Lighthouse. Every August and September, along the footpath towards the lighthouse, Red Spider Lily and Hardy Spider Lily bloom to form a beautiful sea of flowers.
2 ▎Attractions of Beigan
Beigan Township is approximately 30 kilometers northeast of Nangan, and has the second largest population and land area of Matsu Archipelago. Beigan islet is long and narrow in shape. With a rough terrain, Beigan has the highest peak of Matsu, Bi-shan (298m, also Bi Mt.). Beigan is characterized by its sandy beaches and outlying islets. The most unmissable site is the well preserved traditional Matsu architecture of Qinbi, on a hill facing the sea. The colors of the stone houses appeared to change with the rising and setting of the sun. Tourists come to stay in Qinbi village for its architectural beauties and wartimes relics.
2-1 Natural Landscapes
a. Banli Beach (坂里沙灘)
Highlight:beaches
The soft white sands and straightly flat shore of Banli beach stand out all the more among the many rocky beaches of Matsu. The beach is nestled between the slopes of Qinshan, Banshan, and Linshan, and it is linked to Wusha Beach by an unbroken shoreline. The sand is composed partly of quartz, making the entire expanse shining off a brilliant white gleam in the sunlight. Whether visited at sunrise or sunset, Banli Beach provides an experience of the intertwining beauty of shifting light, shadow, mist clouds, and colors. Looking in the direction of Baisha Beach, not far away can be seen a small, colorful Tianhou Temple built on the beach. The temple sculptures are worth visiting while you're there.
b. Daqiu (大坵)
Highlight: Formosan sika deer
Daqiu is located 200 meters north of Beigan Island and adjacent to Gaodeng (高登島). Composed of Dachiu and Xiaochiu Islets, the total area of Daqiu is only 0.69 km2. In the past, Daqiu was both home to civilians and a post for the military. With the out-migration of the residents and the pullout of the armed forces, Daqiu has become the largest uninhabited island in Matsu. In recent years, with the restoration of the wooden footpath around the islet and the successful breeding of Formosan sika deer, the islet is turned into a deer-watching paradise. The county government operates a regular ferry service to Daqiu during the summer. Boat chartering is available as well to reach Daqiu for the rest of the year.
2-2 Cultural Landscapes
a. Beigan Beihai Tunnel (北竿北海坑道)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
Beihai Tunnel was dug from 1968, the same time with the other two Beihai Tunnel in Nangan and Dongyin. The tunnel is 550 meters long and ten meters wide. Though not as magnificent as the one in Nangan, it was dug by soldiers using only simple tools such as pickaxes, shovels, iron rakes, baskets, etc., from the hard granitic rock wall. It took 3 years and cost more than a hundred lives to complete the tunnel. Tourists can walk along the access road, from Banli or Wusha Village to the tunnel to experience the tunnel atmosphere. Inside the tunnel, lights are turned on from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Tourists are advised to watch for tidal change. The tunnel only opens during low tide period. Be advised as well that It is usual for tunnels to be closed for safety reasons.
b. War and Peace Memorial Park Exhibit Center (戰爭和平紀念公園主題館)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
War and Peace Memorial Park Exhibiti Center officially opened on March 29, 2010. It is located on Stronghold 12 of Dawo Hill in Beigan’s War and Peace Memorial Park.
On a good day, the coast of China could be visible from the platform of the Center. Considering the tense cross-strait military standoff that lasted for decade, the hall’s “war and peace” theme is particularly meaningful. The main theme of the hall is “emotions and memories”, divided into origins, chronicle of military events, military items and military-citizen social culture display areas. The center represents the 50 years of military rule that the ROC military and Matsu residents spent living side by side through text, pictures and exhibits. Visitors will understand the hardship of life on the frontline of earlier times.
c. Qinbi Village ( 芹壁聚落)
Highlight: Mindong architecture
The village of Qinbi is also known as “the Mediterranean town on Taiwan Strait.” Yet another name for the village is Jingao, or “mirrorring harbor,” derived from the crystal-clear waters of its bordering sea. Qinbi has the best-preserved Mindong (eastern Fujianstyle) buildings in all of Matsu. It is much favored by the locals and architectural, cultural, and artistic circles. It was originally developed in the late Qing Dynasty by family named Chen from Fujian of China. In 1997 the idea of preserving the village took hold, and the closely packed houses were restored one after another. Today the old hillside village, together with the neighboring sea and Turtle islet, exudes a pleasant classic beauty that makes it Matsu’s foremost tourist attraction.
d. Qiaozai Village ( 橋仔村)
Highlight: traditional village and temples
Qiaozai Vi l l age i s located at the northwestern corner of Beigan, a great spot for watching sunset. In Qiaozai, there are many small temples of various Gods, which manifest the many beliefs of local residents and their wishes for fishing safely with good catch. Due to population outmigration, it is said that the village is now “having more resident Gods than people.” Qiaozai was once among the most prosperous fishing village in Matsu. Near the Qiaozai village office, there is an exhibit center for fishing, demonstrating fishing techniques and tools of early times. From April to October, activities of experiencing ”Chian Gu ( 牽罟)” are held for tourists. As a method of fishing, “Chian Gu” is done by setting/spreading the net on the coastal sea first, and then people on the shore will hold each other hand in hand to pull the fishnet back to the shore. The activity demonstrates a harmonic social relation of the fishing villages in the old time. Catches from“Chian Gu” are mostly anchovies, sardines, etc.
3 ▎ Attractions of Nangan
Nangan is the biggest islet of Matsu and its land area is 10.43 km2. The population of Nangan is about 7500. Lianjiang county government is located in this township. With Nangan airport built and well equipped, Nangan has become Matsu’s major transportation, political, economic, education and cultural center. As Nangan is the most populated islet of Matsu, most of its natural attractions have been turned into cultural or artificial sites, although attentive visitors can still enjoy the natural beauty of various sites.
3-1 Natural Landscapes
a. Mt. Yuntai ( 雲台山)
Highlight: overlooking site
Standing 248 meters high, Mt. Yuntai i s the highest mountain in Nangan. It is ranked the 98th among the “Hundred Small Mountain Peaks” of Taiwan. Reaching the top of the hill, one can have the best view of Matsu and Bei-Jiao Peninsula of China.
3-2 Cultural Landscapes
a. Beihai Tunnel (Nangan) ( 南竿北海坑道)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
Nangan’s Beihai (North Sea) Tunnel is a five-star tourist site. Beihai Tunnel runs from the Tieban coast deep into the heart of the hills in a lattice shape. The tunnel’s water-channel section is 18 meters high on average, 10 meters wide, and 640 meters long. The depth of the water is 8 meters at high tide and 4 meters at low tide. The tunnel path will take about 30 minutes for a leisure walk. The tunnel was designed to accommodate more than 100 small landing crafts. Two divisions, three infantry battalions, one combat engineer battalion, and one dump truck company were mobilized to work day and night until the tunnel was completed, which took 820 working days. Today, the tunnel could be a good site for leisurely boating or rowing.
b. Dahan Stronghold (大漢據點)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
The Dahan Stronghold is located on the Taebao coast of southern Nangan. Together with Juguang Islet and other strongholds, it helped to control the sea in the direction of Juguang. Construction of the stronghold began in 1975, when soldiers were dispatched to work day and night. In addition to small amount of explosive, it took the soldiers' sweat, tears, muscle and lives to accomplish. It was completed on Mar. 29, 1976. There are three levels: the top level was a company headquarter, the second level accommodated living space and reserve machine guns, and the lower level contained four 90 mm anti-aircraft guns, a briefing room, and storerooms. The tunnel is about 1.2 to 2 meters wide, two meters high, and 430 meters long.
c. Matsu Folklore and Artifact Exhibit Hall (馬祖民俗文物館)
Highlight: folklore and culture institue
The Matsu Folklore and Artifact Exhibit Hall, renovated in 2002, has one floor below ground and four floors above. Its typical eastern Fujian architecture characteristics, such as the wine jars, small windows and “beauties chair,” display the elegance of eastern Fujian architecture to the full. Various themes are covered in the exhibit hall. Matsu’s historical origin, settlement, traditional economy, social cultural artifacts, etc. demonstrate the rich development of human society on the archipelago. The introduction of the natural environment demonstrates how the human society has adapted to its environment with a link to Chinese history. The linkage is best shown through religious beliefs, languages, and architectures. A number of archaeological artifacts and discoveries have been found recently. In particular, the so-called “Lian-dao” man and woman are the archaeological artifacts that might point to some significant cultural and burial tradition. Some archeologists consider the discoveries might be evidence for human history of this part of Asia and even Austronesian anthropological development. The discoveries may place the history of Matsu in a global history and perspective.
d. Niujiao Village ( 牛角聚落)
Highlight: authentic architecture
Nangan Island is shaped like a rhinoceros. Viewing the village of Niujiao from off northeast shore, the village looks like a rhino horn. This is why the village was named. Immigrants, mainly of the Cao clan, began settling here in the late Qing Dynasty. The Cao’s and other late comers’ primary means of livelihood was fishing, with farming as sidelines. When the Nationalist army first came to the islet, Niujiao boated Nangan’s biggest village and was the site of county government’s predecessor agency as well as sites for many institutes. After they moved out, the population of Niujiao declined. In 1971 it was renamed Fuxing village out of the reason of supporting the military government. In 1998 a group of intellectuals launched a movement to preserve the village, putting idle lands to use and hosting a series of cultural activities to restore buildings and restore the cultural pride of the local people for its rich and long history. Today, the village is home to Matsu Distillery and Liajian County Councilmen’s Assembly. The architectures of the village scatter on the hill and the winding alleys between households and architectures contribute to the old charm of the hilly village.
e. Iron Fort ( 鐵堡)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
The coastline to the west of Ren’ai Village (used to be called Tieban), was garrisoned for many years by some elite amphibious frogman units. A granite stone cape jutting into the sea to the southwest made it a perfect stronghold for the frogmen. The granite stone was hollowed out and covered with cement, painted with camouflage colors, and topped with grass-green camouflage net. Inside the tunnels there are stone rooms, gun ports, cannon batteries, a toilet, and a kitchen, among other facilities, all packed into this small seadefense fortification. To discourage a sneak attacks by communist frogmen, glass fragments were embedded into the surface of the sea-facing rocks. Iron Fort was the only fortification to have a dog with a military rank. The clouds of war no longer hang over Matsu, but the refurbished Iron Fort continues to exude a battleground aura.
f. Jinsha Village (津沙聚落)
Highlight: traditional buildings
Jinsha, located on foothill of Yuntai Hill on a bay to the southwest tip of Nangan, is the islet’s closest village to China. It was originally named for its fine golden sands (‘jinsha”) that covered its beach. People from Lianjiang, Changle, Langqi, and other mainland locations migrated to Jinsha in the late Qing Dynasty. In early years, Jinsha’s people lived by fishing, fermenting liquor, operating medicine shops, opium dens, or other establishments. Today, Jinsha has a few youth hostels that are converted from traditional houses in the hope of preserving its precious traditional architecture.
g. Queen of Heaven Temple ( Matsu Temple) (馬祖天后宮)
Highlight: traditional Daoism temple
The Queen of Heaven (Matsu) Temple, located on the western shore of Nangan, is devoted to worshiping “Matsu”, Goddess of the Sea.
People of Matsu believe that when Lady Mo-Niang Lin (Goddess Matsu) of Sung Dynasty tried to save her father from a shipwreck, she was drowned in the violent waves and her body was washed up in the bay here. The local people, out of respect for her filial behavior, buried her in a coffin carved with phoenix patterns. Because of her virtue and deed, Matsu was ascended to Heaven on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month. She is thus named Queen of the Heaven. In the Ming dynasty, she was deified as Heavenly Consort. As time proceeded, she was promoted to Queen of Heaven during the Qing Dynasty, the name by which her temples are known today. The temple was subsequently renovated and enlarged several times. Today is a palace-style structure with elaborately carved columns and painted walls. As the temple is the center of worship for fishing society, a new Matsu status is established near the temple, with Matsu standing on the top of a replica ship of the Sung dynasty.
h. Tunnel 88 ( 八八坑道)
Highlight: battlefield heritage
Opening the gate of Tunnel 88 is like opening the door to a secret treasure trove. Legend had it that the original granite hollow was for the local people to take refuge from pirates. When the Nationalist army came, defense soldiers enlarged it to accommodate tanks. Now, it is turned into a cellar for liquors and wines that were made in Matsu for aging. The tunnel was enlarged and finished in 1974, after 10 years of work, and named Tunnel 88 to commemorate the then ROC Taiwan President Chiang Kai-shek's 88th birthday. It was subsequently used as an apparatus room by Chunghwa Telecom. In 1992, it was turned over to Matsu Distillery which uses it as cellar for liquors and wines to age. Today the main tunnel is used to store jugs of old wine and the secondary tunnel holds Kaoliang spirits. The tunnel maintains a stable temperature of 15-20 degrees Celsius by nature, which makes it perfect for the storage of alcoholic beverages. It is permeated by aroma, making the place pleasurably fragrant and the visitor feeling blissful.
4 ▎ Attractions of Juguang
Juguang Township, consisting of the two islets of Dongju and Xiju, is southernmost of the Matsu archipelago. As the two islands resemble dogs paddling in the ocean off the mouth of China’s Min River, they were once known as Dongquan and Xiquan “Eastern dog” and “Western dog”and collectively as the Baiquan “white dog” islets. They were later renamed for a quote from Chiang Kai-Shek, “Do not forget that you are on Ju”(「毋」忘在莒)a classic allusion in Chines history, referring to the intent of eventually recovering mainland China. Xiju islet is home to the township government. During the Korean War (1950-1953), the American company Western Enterprises Inc. came to Xiju, bringing considerable economic prosperity; Qingfan Village even earned the nickname of “Little Hong Kong”. Dongju is home to the Dongquan Lighthouse and the Dapu Stone Inscription, enlisted as class two and class three National Historical Sites, respectively.
4.1 Natural Landscapes
a. Fuzheng Beach (福正沙灘)
Highlight: coastal landscapes
Following a small path from the village towards the sea, you'll discover a stretch of gleaming white where land meets the ocean. This is Fuzheng Beach, surrounding Fuzheng Village. Fuzheng Beach is a sandy shore of the kind rarely seen in the Matsu Archipelago. These soft white sands are the best place to wade into the water to hunt for clams. This is also where Matsu steamer clams originate. The area’s intertidal zone is home to numerous creatures, earning it the nickname “the Dongju Refrigerator.” There are so many steamer clams in the summer that you can spot them just by digging into the sand. The satisfaction of enjoying such delicacies is hard to resist for locals and visitors alike.
b. Mysterious Little Bay (神秘小海灣)
Highlight: coastal landscapes
Viewed from a certain angle, the sea-eroded pillars, caves, and maine trenches of this mysterious little bay, lying south of Fuzheng Village, give plenty of range to the imagination. Imagination of a jade stone and the watching lion, a shark and even a rhinoceros are just part of the mental world. A tunnel above the east side of the mysterious little bay is named by the locals as “Swallows’ Nest” which is a perfect colony for migrant birds. The tunnel is connected to sea coast, and was once used by oystermen as an important path leading the way to harvest in the sea. It is also said to have been used by the local people to hide from the pirates who once ravaged Matsu islets. Today, the area is often full of wandering goats that add naturally rustic look to the place.
c. Caipuao ( 菜埔澳)
Highlight: Geology and Economic Culture
Caipuao, a little gulf, is located in the northeastern corner of Xiju islet, within the jurisdiction of Tianwo village. The area is still controlled by the military, therefore application on site for permission to enter is needed. The little gulf is strategically important due to its patterned landform that is good for controlling point. Tuff is the main geological composition of the area. Due to the fine volcanic ashes that settled around the area after volcanic eruption, the layering of sedimentation is clear and good for a geological and geomorphology field study. This is also the only place where you can spot tuff in the entire Matsu archipelago. Also due to the indistinct development of joint, the area manifests series of straight and parallel landform, resembling the sharp shaping force of the great nature. The many zigzagging promontories along the coast of Caipuao make waves coming in various directions and colliding other another. Turbulent currents and waves make the area perfect for all sorts of seaweeds, fish and shellfish. The harvesting rights of all these marine resources were challenging for the villagers who wanted to keep peace among themselves. Thus the locals attributed the harvest right of all these to Marshall Chen. So that the villagers could come to the social consent and arrangement for the resources to be harvested at the right time by all villagers fairly with proper rotation.
4-2 Cultural Landscapes
a. Dongquan Lighthouse ( 東犬燈塔)
Highlight: historic relic
Dongquan Lighthouse, also called Dongju Lighthouse, was built in 1872 to guide ships to Fuzhou when China was forced to open upon five treaty ports to western traders in the late Qing Dynasty. It was designated a Class II historic building in 1988. Its body is made of granite; it rises 19.5 meters and casts a beam of light, diffracted through a crystal lens, that can be seen 16.7 nautical miles (about 31 kilometers) away. A unique feature of the lighthouse is a low, 30-meter windbreak wall that connects it with its office structure so that workers going between the two can bend low behind the wall during times of high wind to keep their kerosene lanterns from blowing out.
b. Fuzheng Village (福正聚落)
Highlight: traditional buildings
There is a local saying in Dongju: “Fuzheng for the summer, Dapu for the winter.” Dapu Village is located on the southern end of the islet, sheltering it from the northeastern winds of winter. Fuzheng Village, on the other hand, located in the north of the islet, often experiences harsh wintery winds and is more comfortable in the summer, when the sea breeze blows from the southeast. Early residents of the islet lived by this saying, moving between the harbors of these two villages to live and to fish depending on the season. Fuzheng was once the most prosperous village of Dongju. However, due to gradual decrease in fish catches, the villagers moved elsewhere, and it is no longer the bustling place it once was. All that is left are the dilapidated stone houses, the Dongquan Lighthouse overlooking the village, and the Lord of the White Horse Temple that protects it.
c. Dapu Stone Inscription (大埔石刻)
Highlight: historic relic
The history of Dapu village could be best represented by Dapu Stone Inscription. The Dapu Stone Inscription, locating to the south of Dapu village, was discovered by the Army in 1953, and was later made into a class three national historical monument. The inscription records the capture of 69 Japanese pirates without a single casualty of the island in the 45th year of the reign of Wanli Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1617), as written by a Fujian official and author Dong Ying-Ju. The Dapu Stone Inscription is not merely a record of a glorious triumph by the famed general Shen You-Rong. The local legend had it that the inscription itself contains clues to the location of the treasure hidden somewhere on the islet of Dongju. For years, the local people have believed the story and talked the where about of the treasure. Maybe you will be the one to finally break the code! And become rich and famous!
d. Dapu Village ( 大埔聚落)
Highlight: traditional buildings and cultural life
In earlier days, when the sea around Dapu village yielded a rich catch of yellow croakers, pomfrets, and ribbon fish, the Dapu Village was the second-largest village of the islet. The story of Dapu Stone Inscription and legendary hidden treasure has contributed to the mythical nature of the village. Furthermore, due to emigration, the seemingly deserted traditional Min-tong buildings scattered around the mild slope of the village give the place a sense of tranquility. Recently, with the removal of army station, the military base area was, by contract, handed into the hand of a local son who is determined to utilize the base for establishing local social and economic relations. Refurbishing of old buildings and turning them into hostels is the first step that has been undertaken. Some tea trees are turned into production to be sold as the local organic produce. In visiting the old Min-tong architectures of the village, please be sure to pay him a visit. He will surely show you how the plan for community rebuilding is conducted. Dapu village is linked to a small inland village, Da-ping, to its north. The foot path between the two villages is called “Yu-lu-gu-dao”( 魚路古道Fish Trail ). It literally means a narrow alley linking the two villages for the delivery of fresh fish harvest from Dapu to the inland village. The path, not only of economic transportation means, is full of socio-historical meaning and colorful vegetation in different seasons.
e.Qingfan Village ( 青帆村)
Highlight: historical settlement
Qingfan Village, covering an area of only 134 hectares, was once the main and busiest economic center of Xiju. Before the Chinese Communist defeated the Nationalist, Xiju was once designated as the only town of Matsu area. It was even labelled the “Little Hong Kong” of Matsu, partly due to its significance in basing “Second Route of the Peace and National Salvation Army” (or Second Route of the National Revolutionary Amy) in the 1930s. The township attracted later the Western Enterprises, a front for the United States CIA, to set up for intelligence purposes. The American flag on Cingfan Mt. reinforced the image and name of little Hong Kong. Today, Qingfan is a small settlement with only a few population, mostly aged. It gives the village a façade of history as well. Located close to the harbor, “Marshal Chen Temple” is the major religious center of the village. As Daoism allows worship of various gods, pay the temple a visit you will get to know the local stories about protection and peace that was mostly needed by the islanders and fishermen. The old and meandering alleys on the hilly terrain of the village, along with traditional architectures, spell the rich and living culture of the area.
f. Post No. 14 Trail (14哨景觀步道)
Highlight: military post turned hiking trail
Post No. 14 Trail is one of the best site where one can overlook the entire Tianwo village, that is mainly built on granite rock. The geological foundation and landform of the village make it important for controlling the sea area. It is also great for overlooking the Dongju islet from afar to its east. The post No.14 hiking trail now is paved with granite pieces and decorated with bomb shells (or artillery shells) for lightings to turn the site into a tourist point. However, even important is its rich ecology that makes it perfect for nature lover and for field study. Many Matsu endemic plants could be found here in abundance, such as Callicarpa japonica var. luxurians and Eurya emarginata. Callicarpa here is almost evergreen. Its berries last well into the winter or dry season and are survival foods for birds and other animals. Eurya emagrinata is an evergreen shrub, tolerant of wind and salt. It is a slow grower thus is also named as Matsu purple sandalwood. It used to be a major resource in the military rule era for making sticks and wooden seals. Due to almost becoming extinct, the Matsu purple sandalwood is designated as a protected species.
Source: Booklet for Matsu Geopark: A guide for enjoying. Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau.