Kincheng Civil Defence Tunnels
Kinmen
Claustrophobes beware: Kincheng has 2.6km of wartime tunnels and you can walk 1.2km of them, but they're not much wider or taller than a large man. What…
Must-see attractions in Taiwan Strait Islands
Matsu
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…
Kinmen
Divided by dykes, this array of channels and reed-fringed artificial lakes is a popular place for birdwatching, especially in winter when dozens of…
Penghu Islands
The 300-year-old Tongliang Banyan Tree covers a remarkable 600 sq metres, sending down roots that essentially form the pillars of a natural hallway that…
Penghu Islands
This attractively laid-out museum gives a good introduction to the volcanic and sedimentary rocks that make up the archipelago. It sits on the slope that…
Penghu Islands
Almost comically small, this cast-iron lighthouse was built in 1878 by Brits who initially staffed the place on 10-year shifts. The main attractions are…
Matsu
This large, professional yet little-heralded museum uses many old photos, artefacts and films to introduce the culture and lifestyle of the Matsu islands.
Kinmen
Along with equally antique Nanshan (南山; Nánshān), a few hundred metres across Shuangli Lake, Beishan (北山; Běishān) is a settlement that retains a high…
Kinmen
Walk through a wide, 200m rock-hewn tunnel to reach the emplacement of a howitzer canon surveying a wide view towards distant China. Nothing is in English…
Penghu Islands
The largest of Penghu's five fortress sites, this was one of a pair rebuilt in 1887 following the end of the Sino-French War. Four heavy Armstrong guns …
Kinmen
From the attractive old town area of Ou Cuo, a concrete road leads 800m south to a superb, yet little frequented, sandy beach with small rocky islands…
Kinmen
Backed by a couple of classic, if crumbling, western-style 1930s buildings, this 1836 pavilion-shrine to the god of literature is a dinky, hexagonal…
Kinmen
Originally raised in the Qing dynasty, this Taoist delight is all you'd hope for in a fanciful Chinese temple, complete with ornate roof embellishments,…
Penghu Islands
The 200-year-old Da-yi Temple is dedicated to Guandi, the god of war, with 4m bronze statues guarding the entry stairs.
Kinmen
This professional centre, across little Shuangli Lake from Beihai, has bilingual introductions to the region's flora and fauna, notably the cormorants,…
Green Turtle Tourism & Conservation Centre
Penghu Islands
Exhibits on Wang'an's ecology, flora and fauna are showcased in a large, striking building with modernist, undulating curves. The main focus is sea…
Kinmen
This handsomely restored walled complex was originally built as a centre of learning in 1780. The two main shrine-like study rooms honour Chu Hsi, a…
Penghu Islands
To learn about Penghu basalt in all its forms, don't miss this impressive new geological centre one short block south of the Living Museum.
Penghu Underwater Cultural Assets Exhibition
Penghu Islands
This immersive multimedia centre plunges visitors into a deep ocean trench as a way to introduce underwater exploration.
Penghu Islands
This attractive building from 1933 is fundamentally a Japanese house but with European art deco elements.
Kinmen
Qionglin (also written Cyonglin or Chiunglin) has 800 years of history, is famous for having more shrines than any other village on Kinmen and retains…
Matsu
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…
Penghu Islands
This self-contained 'village' was once the living quarters of military families. The partly derelict area is now being valiantly reworked into a small…
Kinmen
This small, hexagonal monolith was originally built in 1387 for the Ming emperor Hungwu as a place to honour the stars and celestial deities. It is…
Matsu
Worth a five-minute stop en route to the Peace Memorial Park, this village looks unpromising when you pass on the main street, but if you delve into the…
Penghu Islands
A quick walk west along Zhongshan Rd from central Magong takes you to Shuncheng Gate, the only restored portal in the largely overgrown old city wall.
Kinmen
This small coastal fort has display boards and a looping video that give a sense of how young men were toughened into soldiers to endure life here during…
Penghu Islands
For fine views and nice walks, follow signs to Snakehead Hill (蛇頭山; Shétóu Shān) and discover some grassy terraces on which once stood a Dutch fort.
Penghu Islands
This minor geological curiosity is a vertically contoured wall of basalt forming a small outcrop in the grass-and-scrub landscape. There's a glass-box…
