All About Kinmen Island & Kaoliang Liquor
On this page, you will find the most important information about Kinmen, the island that turned me into a travel vlogger. After moving to Kinmen in Taiwan with his wife at the beginning of 2023, I started documenting this unique group of islands in ‘Kinmen Travel Tales‘ on YouTube.
TL;DR
- Kinmen is a group of islands located just off the coast of China.
- Once a battleground, it has since transformed into a tourist destination.
- Today, visitors know Kinmen for its Gaoliang Liquor and Kinmen Knives.
- Many former military tunnels are now popular tourist attractions.
- For more in-depth information, listen to the Kinmen Podcast.
where is Kinmen in Taiwan?
Kinmen is a group of islands that belongs to Taiwan. However, the distance to China is only 10 km; Kinmen is east of the city of Xiamen in Fujian, China. That means it is pretty far away (almost 200 km) of the closest shoreline of the island of Taiwan. In Taiwan and China, Kinmen is known for Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor and for Kinmen Knives.
When speaking about ‘Kinmen’ (or Quemoy in Hokkien), most people think about the main island, ‘Da Kinmen’, but Kinmen County also consists of the smaller Kinmen Island (Xiao Kinmen or Little Kinmen), several surrounding islets, and Wuqiu Township, which is remotely located 133 km northeast of the rest of the county.
Looking at the Map of Kinmen Island in Taiwan
Most attractions, such as the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Distillery or the Kinmen knife maker Maestro Wu, are in Da Kinmen, but there are also many things to do on Xiao Kinmen. Technically, Kinmen is an archipelago that also includes smaller islets such as Jiangong Islet and Dadan Island. Additionally, the fairly remote Wuqiu Township is also part of Kinmen. More details in this article about Kinmen County.
The most important places are the two main islands, as you can see on the map of Kinmen here. You may ask, “How do I get around in Kinmen?” Short answer: A scooter is the most convenient and cost-effective option, and there are electric scooters available that you can ride without a driver’s license. For more travel information, I suggest watching (or listening to) my Kinmen tourist guide episode.
I personally summarize Kinmen as the most Chinese place in Taiwan. Because there is so much to tell about this place, I started producing a travel vlog about this beautiful island. I also started this website and since then I am documenting Kinmen Island in my free time.
In 2026, I put together a Kinmen Podcast. Here, I share my knowledge about the island. However, I also have to warn you, I did all of that alone and in my free time. Do not expect miracles.
And now you are probably asking yourself: Why is Kinmen Part of Taiwan? I linked a blog to answer your question in detail. Or read along here for a summary.
What are Great Kinmen Island and Little Kinmen Island?
I was initially very confused by the terms “Great Kinmen Island” and “Little Kinmen Island,” as well as “Greater Kinmen” and “Lesser Kinmen.” These are actually direct translations of the names of the two main islands, but locals do not commonly use them.
Already in the very first lines of this page, I mentioned Da Kinmen (大金門). The character 大 means “big,” indicating the larger main island. In everyday conversation, however, people usually just call it Kinmen.
Then there is Xiao Kinmen (小金門). The character 小 means “small,” referring to the smaller island. Locals often call it Lieyu, after the township’s name.
Are there US Troops on Kinmen Island?
Apparently, yes! In 2024, American special forces trainers were reportedly sent to Kinmen. As tensions with China continue to rise, Taiwan’s defense minister has hinted that U.S. troops have been training the Taiwanese military on outlying islands that would likely be on the front lines in the event of a conflict.
While the Taiwanese army still maintains a strong presence on Kinmen and it is common to see (Taiwanese) soldiers around, I have personally never seen any U.S. troops. However, Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng did confirm that American soldiers are stationed on Kinmen Island, though he did not provide any details about the scope or nature of their deployment.
For more details, check my article “Are There US Troops on Kinmen Island in Taiwan?.
Kinmen Island Belongs to Which Country?
Kinmen belongs to Taiwan, even though the distance to China is just 10 km (6 mi), the island is east of the city of Xiamen in Fujian, People’s Republic of China. Different to the rest of Taiwan, Kinmen was never colonized by Japan, even it was briefly occupied during WW2.
Before coming under the rule of the KMT, Kinmen was part of the Chinese Empire until its collapse in 1912. The Empire of Japan captured Kinmen in 1937, and in 1945 the island came back under the control fo the Republic of China. In 1949, Kinmen was the last battleground of the Chinese Civil War, and it has remained part of Taiwan ever since. The Battle of Kinmen, also known as the Battle of Guningtou, ended the war.
The history of Kinmen before WW2 is also really interesting. In my podcast episode about the historic Kinmen, I speak about the role of the island during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
How Do I Get to Kinmen in Taiwan?
If you want to travel to Kinmen, you have two main options: you can reach the island by plane or by ferry. You can travel there either from Taiwan or from China. Kinmen is part of Taiwan, even though it is geographically much closer to China than to Taiwan’s main island. If you are coming from China, make sure to check the visa regulations that apply to your nationality for Taiwan. I also have a dedicated page about traveling in Taiwan. Feel free to check it out if you are planning a trip to Taiwan.
Traveling to Kinmen by Air (only from Taiwan)
From Taiwan, you have frequent domestic flight connections from all major airports. Flights go from Taipei Songshan, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Chiayi, and Tainan Airport to Da Kinmen. There is an airport located in the Jinhu township. I have personally flown to Kaohsiung and Taipei, and in both cities, the flight takes around an hour.
The airport on Kinmen is small and efficient. Since there are no international flights, there are also no border controls, which makes the whole experience very relaxed. You can even park your scooter right in front of the entrance.
However, if you are arriving as a traveler, I would not recommend relying on the public bus. Instead, it is better to take a taxi or arrange a pickup in advance. You can find more details in my Kinmen Travel Guide podcast.
Traveling to Kinmen by Ferry (From China or Taiwan)
The other option is by ferry. There are ferry connections from Kinmen to mainland Taiwan and China, as well. The ferry to Taiwan is not recommended as it takes several hours. However, the ferry to China takes just around 30 minutes. I had a great time on this ferry, but I was nervous. China does not recognize Kinmen as part of Taiwan, and there have been several incidents. In my video, you can see how I made it through customs.
Technically, you can take the ferry from Kinmen to Taichung. But this is a cargo ferry. I will tell you why you should not use this option in my blog about how to get from Taiwan to China by ferry.
There used to be a ferry between the two main Kinmen islands, but it stopped operating in 2024 as it became obsolete. You can now reach Xiao Kinmen from Da Kinmen by crossing the Kinmen Bridge, which is 5.4 km long and was opened a few years ago.
What are the attractions of Kinmen in Taiwan?
Kinmen in Taiwan has many attractions, too many to list them all here. I have already mentioned the famous Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor and the Kinmen Knives. There are also the Wind Lions of Kinmen. These are more than just a tourist attraction; the locals do, in fact, worship them. You can also visit the closest point between Taiwan and China, located on Kinmen. Check out my video about the Mashan Observation Station for more information.
The tunnels are another must-see attraction on Kinmen Island: Be sure to visit the Shishan Howitzer Front, a former artillery fort that has been turned into a museum. Almost daily, you can watch a live demonstration and see how fierce the 23rd Artillery Battle really was. In the capital, Jincheng, you will find the Jincheng underground tunnel system that connects much of the city, though it is only accessible through guided tours. And of course, the most famous tunnels are Zhaishan and Jiugong, both of which I have also covered in dedicated videos with more details.
Can I Visit the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Distillery in Kinmen?
Yes, of course. Gaoliang (also pronounced Kaoliang) is the Chinese word for sorghum, a grain that you find at every corner of the island. Because the liquor company was originally established to keep the soldiers in Kinmen happy, you can expect some strong stuff. More details are in my prodast about the most important local products of Kinmen. We visit the Kaoliang Liquor Distillery, but also a few other important places.
And in case you are wondering what Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor is, it is one of the most famous alcoholic spirits in Taiwan. You can buy Gaoliang Liquor in almost any convenience store, but of course, there is a lot more variety of this ‘fire water’ if you visit the distillery in Kinmen. I
What Is So Special about the Kinmen Knives?
In the same video, I also visit Maestro Wu, a knife maker from Kinmen who turns old Chinese artillery shells into all kinds of cutting tools. Maestro Wu is probably the most famous blacksmith in Kinmen, but other knife makers on the island also turn bombshells into knives. Of course, there is a story behind that.
While Kinmen County is a tourist destination today, it was the last battleground of the Chinese Civil War in 1949 and saw several years of conflict before martial law ended in Kinmen in 1995, several years after the rest of Taiwan. Especially in the 1960s and 1970s, there were heavy bombardments, and the leftover artillery shells are now used to make the Kinmen Knives.
Why is Kinmen part of Taiwan?
While the Red Army was able to win the Chinese Civil War, they lost the its final battle on Kinmen Island. The Kuomintang (KMT) was forced to flee to Taiwan but managed to retain control of several smaller islands close to the Chinese mainland, including Kinmen.
In 1949, the KMT successfully repelled attacks from the Communists, establishing Kinmen as a key military stronghold. This was not the last battle fought on Kinmen. In 1950, Chiang Kai-shek became the head of state of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Several more battles took place on Kinmen’s grounds in the years that followed. But Kinmen has remained part of Taiwan ever since.
What is the Battle of Guningtou?
The Battle of Guningtou is often referred to as the Battle of Kinmen. However, that definition can be confusing. For more details, read my blog post about “What Is the Battle of Kinmen?“. The Battle of Guningtou, the last battle of the Chinese Civil War, took place in Kinmen. The failure of the Communists to take the island left it under Kuomintang control. This defeat ended China’s opportunity to take Taiwan and eliminate the Nationalists. I go into these details in my episode about the history of Kinmen, but in a nutshell, Kinmen is part of Taiwan because the Red Army underestimated the resistance in 1949.
What is the Battle of Kinmen?
The Battle of Kuningtou is also referred to as the Battle of Guningtou. However, this name is not very precise because more battles took place on Kinmen Island after 1949, especially during the First and Second Taiwan Strait Crises. In 1979, the shelling of Kinmen finally stopped.
During the years of conflict, more and more soldiers were stationed in Kinmen. When Taiwanese people asked, “Where is Kinmen?” it was considered a place with many soldiers, and somewhere you would not want to be. But no worries – today, Kinmen is a safe tourist island. The former tanks and fortresses have mostly been turned into tourist attractions.
What to do in Kinmen Island?
Kinmen was not open to the public until 1995 and has a lot of beautiful nature to offer. Kinmen is a tourist hotspot. However, compared to other Taiwanese islands such as Penghu, it is not the most well-known tourist destination for traveling in Taiwan. I discussed this in my interview with Radio Taiwan International.
There are several historical battlegrounds, and Kinmen has amazing beaches. Managed by the National Park Authority, they are super clean. You can even collect your seafood and see the so-called ‘blue diamonds’ in the water at night, if you visit the island during the right season. But for your day-to-day routine, you will also find everything you need: Football teams, gyms, cinemas, and more. I have to confess, since I have been living here for a while, I may have lost a bit of the traveler’s perspective ;).
Because Kinmen was a conflict area for so long, nature has had space to grow and flourish. Many Taiwanese come to Kinmen to watch birds, and there are also several hiking areas. In my Kinmen outdoor episode, I could cover a few locations, but there is a lot more to see. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions or want to share your feedback.
How is the Hotel Situation in Kinmen?
The tourist infrastructure is great! There are large hotels in the main cities, but I highly recommend staying in one of the so-called Western-style buildings. Over a hundred years ago, some people from Kinmen made fortunes abroad and invested that money in large mansions.
I have a video that explains the reasons why the Kinmenese people moved abroad and the stories behind those buildings. If you are a tourist coming to Kinmen, you should know that today, some of these Western-style buildings are used as hotels or guesthouses, and they are actually fairly affordable.
Are there vacation packages on kinmen island?
Probably yes, because there are many tourists and hotels. I see tourist groups and buses every day, and there is even a 5-star hotel in Jinhu. However, I am not really the type of person who goes for vacation packages. It is very easy to get to Kinmen, and there are many things to do and explore. Just answering the question, “Why is Kinmen part of Taiwan?” kept me busy exploring the island for days, without the need for a tour guide or vacation package.
There are also special tours for places such as the Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Factory, where you can learn how to drink Kaoliang Liquor. I had an amazing time chasing the wind lions in Kinmen; you can learn more about that in my video about the Gods of Kinmen.
How Big is Kinmen?
The total area of Kinmen Island covers 150.456 km². It is a fairly small place, and it takes me around an hour to cross the island on my bike. The total population is around 130,000 people, so there is plenty of space. The best way to get around is by renting a scooter, car, or bicycle. There are also public buses, or you can hire a driver. There are English-speaking guides, and the staff in hotels and restaurants also speaks English.
Because Kinmen is a tourist island, it has great nightlife, and there is always something going on. I am still surprised that there are so many options in such a small place. Check out my Kinmen nightlife video for more information. I also mentioned already that Kinmen is a safe tourist island today, so do not worry about attacks from China, after all the Chinese are the biggest tourist group. However, make sure to check the weather. I have experienced my first typhoon in Kinmen, and it can also happen (rarely) that flights and ferries are canceled due to weather conditions.
Why doesn’t China take Kinmen?
China attempted to invade Kinmen several times. The island witnessed several major battles and was subjected to artillery bombardment for decades, with shelling continuing until 1979. Despite this, Taiwan successfully held onto the island.
How did Taiwan manage to keep Kinmen?
After the last major battle of the Chinese Civil War, the 1949 Battle of Guningtou, the Taiwanese military built extensive fortifications, bunkers, and underground tunnels to defend the island against future attacks. Today, many of these Kinmen military tunnels have been preserved and are popular tourist attractions.
Fortunately, the island is peaceful today. Kinmen and Xiamen have good cross-strait ties. Under the “Three Mini Links” policy, tourists from China can visit Kinmen, and a fair portion of Kinmen’s drinking water is supplied from mainland China through the Kinmen–Jinjiang Pipeline.
More FAQ about Kinmen in Taiwan
There are so many details about the islands of Taiwan, especially Kinmen. I tried to summarize the most important points that people usually ask about here. Of course, feel free to reach out anytime if you think an important answer is missing.
how far is Kinmen from China?
I believe the closest point — the Mashan Outpost in Kinmen — is just about 2 kilometers from the Chinese mainland. Kinmen is extremely close to mainland China, specifically the city of Xiamen in Fujian Province. However, according to travel information from Kinmen’s official tourism website, the distance is about 3 kilometers (1.86 miles). So, I usually say it’s somewhere between 2 and 3 km. On clear nights, you can even see the lights of Xiamen from Kinmen.
Where to buy Kinmen kaoliang liquor?
Everywhere! You can find Kinmen Kaoliang at every 7-Eleven and supermarket, though only a limited selection, of course. On Kinmen Island itself, the Kinmen Kaoliang Distillery has factory sales and stores in all major towns. At the factory, you will find a much wider selection of firewater. However, you can also by Kinmen Kaoliang in Taipei and other cities.
What is Kinmen Kaoliang liquor?
Kinmen Kaoliang is a sorghum liquor produced on Kinmen Island. It is the flagship product of Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor Inc. (also known as Kinmen Distillery or KKL), a major distillery located in Kinmen County, Taiwan. The distillery is the island’s largest employer and produces Kinmen’s most famous product.
Where is Kinmen located?
Kinmen, also known as Quemoy, is a group of islands located off the coast of mainland China’s Fujian Province. Governed by the Republic of China (Taiwan), Kinmen lies in the Amoy (Xiamen) Bay — approximately 10 kilometers from Xiamen Harbor and about 277 kilometers from Taiwan proper.
How to pronounce Kinmen?
That’s a tricky question. Officially, Kinmen is written as 金門, which means “Golden Gate,” and the Mandarin pronunciation in pinyin is Jinmen — pronounced roughly “JEAN-men.” However, locals often say Kinmen in Taiwanese Hokkien, pronounced more like “KEEN-men.” It’s similar to how Kaohsiung isn’t pronounced Gaoxiong, even though that’s the Mandarin spelling. So yes — 金門 (Kinmen) can be pronounced in two ways, if you watch my videos, you probably realize that I also use both.
How to drink Kinmen kaoliang liquor?
I always see people drinking it straight, either sipped from small 0.1L glasses or in super tiny shots, more like 0.01L. Usually, someone brings a bottle or a small jar and everyone fills up each other’s glasses.
Who Owns Kinmen Island?
After living here for a while, it feels like Kinmen is mainly shared between farmers and the Taiwanese army. But honestly, Kinmen is part of Taiwan, with a few twists. On one hand, around 25 percent of the island is under the supervision of Kinmen National Park, which means these areas are protected. Most Kinmen beaches, for example, are managed by the National Park Authority.
On the other hand, the Taiwanese military still maintains a significant presence. Martial law only ended in 1995, and Kinmen experienced several battles and military tensions due to its close proximity to China. Originally a military reserve, the island gradually opened to the public as tensions eased and has since developed into a tourist destination. Also, there are indeed US troops on Kinmen Island.
Who Controls Kinmen Island?
Kinmen is part of Taiwan, and Taiwan is a democracy, so in a nutshell, the people of Kinmen choose who controls Kinmen Island in democratic elections. However, once again, Kinmen tends to differ a bit. The island’s population generally leans more conservative, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) struggles to gain traction here.
The Kinmen County Constituency is represented by a single seat in the Legislative Yuan. On the local level, you have three urban townships and three rural townships. In the capital city Jincheng, you have the county seat of the Kinmen County Government and Kinmen County Council. The township also houses the headquarters office of Kinmen-Matsu Joint Services Center.
It is also worth mentioning that Kinmen depends on fresh water imports from China. In my experience, Western media often portray Kinmen as a stronghold against the communist party of China.
However, the reality is more complex. There are not only strong family and business ties to the mainland, but also a physical water connection. The Jinjiang–Kinmen Pipeline officially opened in 2018 and began supplying water to the island.
Without this pipeline, meeting Kinmen’s daily water demand would once again become a heavy financial burden for the county government. Thus, Kinmen island with its close distance to China, is more dependent on its neighbor than people assume.
Final Words About Kinmen Island in Taiwan
Note that I am not a travel guide, but rather an average guy with a YouTube channel who happens to live in Kinmen. There are many more areas to explore that I am not aware of. If you have time, check out the short film ‘Island in Between,’ a 2023 documentary by Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien that was even nominated for an Oscar. And besides that, of course, feel free to reach out to me at any time.