The 10 Best Attractions to Visit on Kinmen Island
I have finally found the time to write about the 10 best tourist attractions on Kinmen, IMHO of course. It was no easy decision, and as you can see, this is a long article.
This blog post is aimed at first-time visitors to Kinmen. I try to keep things short, but for each attraction, I will link to further information. Of course, there is so much more to say about Kinmen. You can find a deep dive on my page about Kinmen Island. Or check out my free Kinmen ebook.
And if you are traveling in Taiwan. I do have an overview about that as well. But let us talk about the best attractions on Kinmen Island first.
Kinmen in Taiwan is full of tourist attractions
These are my suggestions for visitors who come to Kinmen for only a couple of days. Ideally, I recommend staying at least a weekend. However, many travelers, especially those taking the ferry to China, often have less time.
It will be difficult to see much in just one day, but I recommend checking out the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Distillery. You should also visit at least one of the tunnels, such as the Jincheng Civil Defense Tunnel. This attraction is located in Kinmen’s capital, but you can only visit it as part of a guided tour.
I do not have any experience with Kinmen Island vacation packages. But if time is short, it can make sense to book a guided day trip with a tour bus.
No matter how much time you have, I recommend renting a scooter to get around on Kinmen. You can also hire a private driver or join a bus tour, but a scooter is by far the easiest way to get around. For more details, check out the Kinmen tourist guide episode of my podcast.
Taiwu Mountain is a top Attraction in Kinmen
One of the best ways to start your vacation on Kinmen is by visiting Mount Taiwu, located right in the center of the island. The mountain offers several attractions and an amazing view over Kinmen: You can even see Xiamen in China on a clear day.
Do not worry about the height. Taiwu Mountain is only 253 meters high and features a concrete path. The easiest route starts at the Pingtung Wenkang Center. The Doumen and Caicuo Historic Trails are steeper and more challenging. Besides the views, you will also find the Haiyin Temple. This Buddhist temple is one of the most famous temples on Kinmen. For more details, listen to my Nature & Wildlife in Kinmen episode
Taiwu Mountain is a free tourist attraction and also ideal for families. There is a concrete path leading up the mountain, so you can even push a stroller along it. Of course, take your time and go at your own pace!
The list of Kinmen tourist attractions is not complete without the Zhaishan Tunnel
The Zhaishan Tunnel should be at the top of your list. Kinmen has many old military fortifications, but this tourist attraction stands out. Every year, the waterway inside the Zhaishan Tunnel becomes a concert stage for an ensemble of classical musicians. The tunnel provides a space for concerts. The acoustics are often compared to those of European cathedrals.
Of course, the Taiwanese army did not build this place for a music festival. Originally, soldiers used the underground harbor to supply Kinmen during Chinese artillery shelling. Today, Kinmen is a tourist island, and there are no active soldiers stationed here. I have a dedicated video about this attraction. Watch my video on the Zhaishan Tunnel for more details.
Shuitou Village: A Main Attraction on Kinmen Island in Taiwan
If you want to dive into the history of Kinmen, Shuitou Village is the place to do it. This tourist attraction was once a wealthy settlement. You can see well-preserved Fujian-style and Western-style buildings. Some of these have been converted into guesthouses where you can even stay overnight.
This place is huge, for example, you can visit the Jinshui Elementary School that just has been renovated. And for more information on how money sent from abroad has lead to this tourist attraction, check out the Overseas Chinese Culture Museum. For more details, check out my podcast episode about the Western-style Buildings on Kinmen Island.
See the Closest Point Between Taiwan and China on Kinmen Island
The closest point to the Chinese mainland under Taiwanese control is located on Kinmen. From the Mashan Observation Station, it is less than two kilometers to the Chinese coast. The army originally used this site to keep an eye on China, and there are still some soldiers stationed nearby. However, today the fort is open to visitors. This tourist attraction is a safe place to visit, just like the rest of Kinmen.
Besides the view, you can also learn about soldiers who fled to China, something that did happen in the past. For the background story, check out my video about the closest point between Taiwan and China.
The Landmine Museum: A Kinmen Attraction No Tourist Should Not Miss
One of the most important places on Kinmen Island is the Landmine Museum on Xiao Kinmen. This is an absolute must-visit attraction that often gets overlooked, probably due to its location.
At the peak of the conflict, the army placed more than 100,000 landmines along Kinmen’s coastlines. Today, the island is completely mine-free, there are no more minefields on Kinmen. At the museum, you can learn how the Taiwanese soldiers managed to remove all landmines. Much of the museum is located underground in a former military fortification. For a better impression, check out my videos about the landmines of Kinmen.
The Guningtou Battle Museum Shows Why Kinmen Is Part of Taiwan
To understand how tough life on Kinmen once was, you have to visit the Guningtou Battle Museum. This is the place to learn about the key historical events that shaped the island. The Chinese Civil War ended with the Battle of Guningtou on Kinmen in 1949. However, for Kinmen, the conflict was only just beginning.
There are many museums on the island, and two of them made it onto my list of the best tourist attractions. Besides the Landmine Museum, I strongly recommend visiting the Guningtou Battle Museum. I also featured it in my video about “Why Kinmen Is Part of Taiwan.”
Battlegrounds of Kinmen are Now a Tourist Attraction
If you want to experience what Kinmen felt like during the peak of the conflict, visit the Shishan (Mt. Lion) Howitzer Front. Due to the ongoing artillery shelling during the First and Second Taiwan Strait Crises, the Taiwanese army built this fort deep into solid rock. The howitzer was powerful enough to reach the Chinese coast and target boats attempting to attack Kinmen.
Today, there is no more shooting. However, actors perform military drills to give visitors an idea of what it was like back in the day. You can also see the tunnels and see the howitzer up close. I find it incredible that such a place exists. Drilling so deep into a solid mountain really shows how serious the threat once was. You can find more impressions in my video about the Shishan Howitzer Front in Kinmen.
My Favorite Tourist Attraction in Kinmen: The Jincheng Defense Tunnel
I know this list already includes many military landmarks, but I had to add the Jincheng Defense Tunnel in the island’s capital. Because of the constant artillery shelling, the Taiwanese army needed a way to protect the residents of Jincheng. As a result, they built an underground tunnel network beneath the city.
Today, you can visit the tunnel as part of a guided tour. Only certain sections are accessible, and the tour is actually free. What makes this tourist attraction so special is that it gives you a real sense of what it must have felt like to be an ordinary citizen during an artillery attack.
The Most Beautiful House on Kinmen: Chen Jing-lan Western House is also a Tourist Attraction
I already mentioned the Western-style buildings of Kinmen. There are more than 160 of them on the island. The Chen Jing-lan Western House, however, is the largest Western-style house in Kinmen. For that reason alone, it deserves a place on this list.
The house was originally built in 1917 by Chen Jing-lan. The Kinmenese businessman who made his fortune in Singapore. During World War II, the building was used as a military hospital. Eventually, it was renovated and opened to the public as a tourist attraction. Today, it serves as a museum and tourist attraction.
Last but Not Least: Visit the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Factory
In Taiwan, Kinmen is best known as the place of Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor. So, of course, I had to include the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Factory on this list. In my episode about Kinmen’s most important local products, I confessed that I am not much of a drinker. Still, visiting the distillery and learning about the history of this sorghum-based spirit is absolutely worth it.
There is a large showroom. But I think the real Kinmen tourist attraction is the old cellars. However, you do need to book a tour to see those.
The story behind this baijiu is fascinating. So visit this tourist attraction. I also wrote a blog post about Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor, in case you feel like reading more.
A Personal Summary of Kinmen’s Tourist Attractions
Speaking of reading more, I think it is time to wrap it up. These are my ten favorite tourist attractions on Kinmen Island. Thanks for making it all the way to the end. Of course, I had to leave out some great places, such as the Beishan Broadcasting Wall, the Deng Lijun Museum, and the Kinmen knife blacksmiths. I had to save those for another day.
If you like to keep reading, check out my other Kinmen blog posts, such as “10 Facts About Kinmen Island in Taiwan.”
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