Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(Qónglín Cūn)
Qionglin Village in Kinhu is famous for having more shrines than any other
village on Kinmen. Head off the main road for the best atmosphere and buildings.
Chenggong Village (Cheng Kung)
ANCIENT VILLAGE
(Chénggōng Cūn)
The major attraction in Chenggong Village is the splendid Western-style
Chen Ching Lan's Mansion
(
Chénjǐnglán Yánglóu
). It was built in 1921 by the eponymous
businessman with the fortunes he made in Southeast Asia. The awe-inspiring architecture
was later turned into a hospital and then a recreation centre for military officers during
wartimes. It's now a museum with dull displays of the building's history.
Guningtou War Museum
MUSEUM
(Gǔníngtóu Zhànshǐ Guǎn; 8.30am-5pm)
Guningtou was the site of a ferocious
battle between the communists and the Kuomintang (KMT) in 1949. The museum, on
the actual battlefield site, provides a glimpse into a conflict that saw 5000 soldiers from
both sides lose their lives over a 56-hour period. Beishan and Nanshan, two villages
nearby, still bear the scars of the battle on some old buildings. It's to the right before the
turn-off for the Shuangli Wetlands Area Centre (marked 'Nature Centre' on the road
sign).
Beishan Broadcasting Station
MILITARY SITE
(Běishān Guǎngbò Zhàn)
About 1km north of the Guningtou War Museum, the now defunct
Beishan Broadcasting Station stands on a cliff right by the sea. The concrete wall boasts
48 speakers, each with a reported range of 25km, that used to crank out propaganda like
'Our steamed buns are bigger than your pillows!' to the communists. These days, the
speakers prefer the more mellow numbers of the late Teresa Teng, Taiwan's best-loved
songbird.
Jhaishan Tunnels
HISTORIC SITE
(Zhaíshān Kēngdào; 8.30am-5pm)
Blasted out of solid granite by soldiers in the
early 1960s, these tunnels stretch 357m to the ocean and were designed to protect boats
from bombs during wars. You can walk through the spooky interior or follow a bridge
over the entrance that leads to the piers.
August 23 Artillery War Museum
MUSEUM
(Bā Èr Sān Zhànshǐ Guǎn; 8.30am-5pm)
This museum documents the horrific
battle that occurred on 23 August 1958, when the communists launched an artillery at-
