Blue Tears Museum

Matsu


Most of the information is in Chinese, but if you're visiting Matsu outside the summer season, this three-room interactive museum is the only place you'll see the blue tears phenomenon. The phytoplankton responsible are cultivated in situ and part of the visitor experience is stirring a bowlful of water containing the critters.

The museum is at Furong'ao, a sandy cove around 1km north of Magang (Matsu) village. Its little cafe, overlooking the oyster beds, serves blue-coloured drinks and great if pricey coffee. Scooter on another 400m to visit the partly preserved old village of Siwei.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Matsu attractions

1. Giant Matsu Statue

0.5 MILES

At a towering 28.8m, this serene 2009 statue is said to be the world's tallest image of the sea goddess Matsu (Mazu). As well as facilitating many a 'See…

2. Matsu Temple

0.6 MILES

This colourful temple is considered one of the most sacred spots in Taiwan, featuring as it does the purported grave of Lin Mo-niang (林默娘; b 960) who…

3. Jinsha Village

1.53 MILES

Jinsha is Nangan's most attractive old village. Its central core is a series of tile-roofed stone buildings – many now B&Bs – forming a tight-knit unit…

4. Matsu Folklore Culture Museum

1.57 MILES

This large, professional yet little-heralded museum uses many old photos, artefacts and films to introduce the culture and lifestyle of the Matsu islands.

5. Iron Fort

1.81 MILES

This dinky little fortified islet, linked by a footbridge to the main island, is a pretty strip of coral topped by a cactus-lined walkway, but cut into…

6. Beihai Tunnel

1.86 MILES

This 700m of sea tunnel took three laborious years to carve out with many soldiers losing their lives in the process. Completed in 1971, it was used as a…

7. Banli Mansion

4.74 MILES

Beside the 7-Eleven shop in Banli is a very short row of four restored Qing dynasty stone-and-timber mansions. One of them is open to visitors as an…

8. Qinbi Village

5.56 MILES

Qinbi is by far Beigan's most complete traditional village, with its array of interconnected stone homes built on a steep slope, facing the curved bay and…