Kinmen is a tiny county that is well-known for its gorgeous beaches, exquisite shell knives, lovely towns, and rich cultural heritage. Kinmen is comprised of a number of smaller islands. Golden Gate is what the name of the island of Kinmen truly means. Kinmen County has a total land area of around 60 square miles. It is located only two km off the coast of Fujian province on the Chinese mainland. The islands of Kinmen and Liehyu are both considered to be among the biggest in the county. Kincheng, Kinhu, Kinning, and Kinsha, as well as Liehyu, are the names of the five districts that make up the county.
In terms of its history as a civilian community, Kinmen is a relatively young county. The political war between China and Taiwan has been going on for a significant amount of time and the county has been caught in the middle of it. The county was formerly home to a well-known military installation, and it wasn’t until the 1990s that it was turned over to civilian administration. During the decades of the 1950s and 1960s, the territory was subjected to intense bombardment by both the ROC and the PRC. In spite of this, the county of Kinmen is widely regarded as one of the most significant tourist sites in Taiwan.
Main Tourist Attractions of Kinmen County, Taiwan
Pata Building
The literal translation of the word “Pata” is “eight.” In the year 1966, the Pata structure was erected as a memorial to the eight warriors who had battled against the Japanese forces in 1933. Therefore, it is a war monument that has been constructed inside a structure that is two stories tall and resembles the architecture of a castle. The structure is home to seven sculptures of armed soldiers, all of which are stationed in such a way as to give the impression that they are still standing watch over the main access points to the island of Lia.
Lianee Temple
The Lianee Temple is a shrine devoted to an old fairy by the name of Wangshiencoo. It can be found on Lia Island and is located in Kuishan. “heroine” is the definition of the name “Lianee.” The temple is said to have been built as a shrine of virtue to commemorate the death of a woman who sought to resist the harassment of communist troops, according to some of the myths that have been told about its history. The name of the temple was once known as Chenlia, which translates to “virtuous.” After that, it was renamed as Shinekoo, which means “fairy,” and finally, it was renamed as Lianee.
General Temple (Chiangchin Mio)
The General Temple was constructed as a memorial to General Lee Kuan-Chian and may be found in the Zhinlin Village at its Shipootou location. During the Battle of Kunington, General Lee Kuan-Chian, who was just 32 years old at the time of his death, passed away as a youthful soldier. It was well known that he was a courageous combatant. The people of the hamlet honoured him by constructing a shrine in his honour and promoting him to the rank of General. This temple honours him as a legendary warrior and worships him there today.
The Battle of Kuningtou War Museum
In honour of the troops who gave their lives fighting the communists in October 1949, a war museum commemorating the Battle of Kuningtou was established in 1984. This museum is located in the city of Kuningtou. The architecture of the military museum is reminiscent of a castle. At the front gate, there are sculptures of three soldiers stationed on both sides, in addition to two tanks that are referred to the “Bears of Kinmen.” The inside of the building has been partitioned into a number of different exhibition rooms, each of which displays a different collection of items and papers relating to the battle.
Chung Cheng Park
1976 was the year when Chung Cheng Park was first made available to the general public and it has a total size of around 123 acres. This park is home to a lot of beautiful attractions, such as Banyan Park and Thai Lake, amongst others. It has been estimated that the Thai Lake takes up more than half of the park’s total size. The park was opened as a tribute to the late, great President Chiang Kai-Shek, whose likeness is depicted on a monumental bronze statue that stands at the park’s front entrance.
Banyan Garden
The Chung Cheng Park’s Banyan Garden is an integral and irreplaceable component of the park. The Banyan garden is the culmination of years of hard work and attention put in with the intention of bringing back the county’s lost greenery. This location was once known as Sheenungi, and it belonged to Hung Sou, a well-known educator who lived during the Ming dynasty. The garden has been landscaped to feature an abundance of verdant vegetation and is intended to serve as a destination for vacationers.
Tai Lake
The Chung Cheng Park’s Tai Lake is the most picturesque spot in the whole park. It has a total land area of around 88.9 acres (36 hectares) and is the most important source of potable water in the Kinmen County. At this location, one may choose to take peaceful strolls around the lake’s perimeter or just relax and take in the ambiance of the surrounding tranquilly by sitting on the shore.
Quemoy Crisis (Battle of 823) Memoria
On August 23, 1958, a war monument known as the Quemoy Crisis Memoria was reverently erected as a commemoration of the persons who had passed away as a result of their participation in the conflict against communist troops. In memory of those who perished, the memorial was erected as a mark of respect. The building has the form of a shell and contains inside its interior an inscription that discusses the periods of war.
Kinmen Folk Village
The Kinmen Folk Village may be found right in the middle of the town of Shanhou Tsun. In the year 1900, while the Ching dynasty was in control of China, construction on this hamlet began. It has a total size of 3,700 square metres, and is delightfully tucked away in the lap of nature, with mountains serving as its backdrop and the sea serving as its boundary. Several of the buildings found inside the town have been exquisitely crafted and embellished in the traditional manner of Chinese architecture. A large number of exhibition rooms have been thoughtfully designed and stocked with exhibits that provide abundant information about Taiwanese art, culture, and history.
Foochintou War Museum
Formerly regarded as a broadcasting hub for anti-communist propaganda, the Foochintou War Museum is now renowned as a museum dedicated to the war. It is supposed to have been the first place on Lia Island when Koxinga, a communist who belonged to the province of Xiamen, stepped foot on Chinese soil. Its location is on Lia Island. The museum first opened its doors in 1988 and since then has been the repository for a significant number of remembrances of the conflict in the form of historical documents, images, and artworks. Additionally, it is a location from where one has a good view of the mainland of China.
Arch of Filial Piety (Chiatshiu Fang)
The Arch of Filial Piety was built by Chiu Liang-Kung as a memorial to his cherished mother and is now recognised as a historical site in Taiwan. Chiu Liang-Kung registered the Arch of Filial Piety as a historical monument. During the Ching dynasty, which lasted from 1644 to 1911, the Arch was constructed in the year 1812. It is said that Chiu Liang-Kung built this arch as a memorial to his mother, who endured the hardships of being a widow for a total of 28 years in order to raise up Chiu Liang-Kung properly. Inscriptions of exquisite craftsmanship are etched into the structure’s arches.
