[2025 Matsu Attraction] Travel Guide for Matsu Islands (Updated Jul)

The Iron Fort, also known as the 51st Stronghold, is a former military fortress built for strategic defense. It is tucked away on the rocky shore on the west side of Ren'ai Village. To reach it, you walk along a long boardwalk, entering what feels like a secret base surrounded by seawater—both mysterious and spectacular. Inside the fort, you'll find a network of tunnels carved into solid granite, with clear chisel marks still visible. The space includes gun ports, artillery platforms, toilets, kitchens, bedrooms, and more. Though compact, it is fully equipped. Walking through the narrow corridors feels like navigating an underground maze, offering a mix of historical gravity and childhood nostalgia, like playing hide-and-seek. Taking photos from the tunnel openings frames the scenery like a picture-perfect moment. From inside the fortress, you can gaze out at the endless ocean. Due to its remote location and minimal light pollution, the Iron Fort is an excellent spot for viewing the "Blue Tears" phenomenon. If you visit at night, you might even catch a glimpse of this dreamy spectacle. 📍Address: West side of Ren'ai Village, Nangan Township, Lienchiang County 🕰️Recommended visit duration: 40 minutes to 1 hour

The Matsu Islands are located in the north of the Taiwan Strait, facing the mouth of the Minjiang River, the mouth of the Lianjiang River and the Luoyuan Bay. It mainly consists of Nangan Island, Beigan Island, Gaodeng Island, Liang Island, Dongju Island, Xiju Island, Dongyin Island, Xiyin Island and some nearby small islands, totaling 36 islands! Most tourists go to Nangan and Beigan for travel. Matsu has unique battlefield landscapes, geological landscapes, and eastern Fujian characteristics. There is also a special wonder, blue tears, on the island. Each island has different characteristics and scenery!

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From Nanxun to Twilight, I will turn to the ferry and jump to the island to play Mazu. Yuanshan saw the road that he had walked under his feet, and he became familiar and lovely all around. Perfect sea sunrise and sunset is not extravagant here, obsessed with the scenery at this moment, forget the time is good Mazu is located in the north of the Taiwan Strait, facing the Minjiang Estuary, Lianjiangkou and Luoyuan Bay is only one water away from mainland China. It is less than ten kilometers recently. After the small three links, Mazubei went to Fujians Huangqi, and the boat trip took only 25 minutes.

Among the four townships and five islands of Matsu, I've visited them all, but my favorite is still Juguang. If time permits, you can plan a two-day trip to Juguang (which includes Dongju and Xiju, connected by ferry). I love the pace of life in Juguang—it's slow and relaxed. The sea is vast, and the island has very few residents. The waves shape their lives, coexisting with the ocean. I've heard that many Juguang locals spend their entire lives without ever leaving the island. I recommend travelers to come and experience the lifestyle in Juguang—you'll fall in love with it.

🌿 "I thought I was capturing village scenery, but unexpectedly, I photographed a true 'local resident.'" Visiting Qinbi Village, I initially aimed to capture its most enchanting aspects: the old stone houses, the azure coastline, and the tranquil charm of time. Yet, my lens caught an unexpected guest—a little frog 🐸 squatting calmly in a crack in the wall, looking utterly composed. It seemed to say, "I was here first." At that moment, I suddenly realized that some sights are small miracles you can only discover by slowing down. When visiting the Qinbi settlement in Beigan, Matsu, make sure to climb up to the halfway point of the mountain to reach the 🔖 Qinbi Jing Tianhou Temple. There, you might spot the adorable little frog 🐸 (It is also worshipped as the Iron-armored General in the temple!).

🏠 Walking Among Stone Houses in Jinsha Village Exploring Jinsha (津沙聚落), I wandered through winding lanes lined with traditional Fujianese-style stone houses. Some have been restored, others stand in poetic decay. The golden hour light on the old stones gave everything a warm, timeless glow. 🪖 Echoes of History at Beihai Tunnel The Beihai Tunnel (北海坑道), carved by hand into the rock for military boats, was a haunting yet beautiful space. With dim lights reflecting off still waters and stone walls, it felt like walking through history itself — a reminder of how close this island once was to the frontlines. ⛩ Matsu Temple and Spirit of the Sea I paid a quiet visit to Matsu Tianhou Temple (馬祖天后宮), where incense swirled into the air and locals offered prayers. This island’s name comes from the goddess herself — the protector of sailors. The temple was both spiritual and grounding. 🚶♂️ Sunset at Iron Fort (Tiebao) I ended the day at Tiebao (鐵堡), an old military post now open to the public. From the lookout, I watched the sun melt into the ocean as waves crashed against the rocks below. The silhouettes of wind-swept trees and fading red sky made it a perfect closing scene. 🍜 Simple Food, Deep Flavor Dinner was a bowl of 老酒麵線 (fermented rice wine vermicelli) and a side of fried seaweed rolls. Humble, hearty, and full of the sea’s essence — just like Nangan itself.

We visited Lianjiang and were blown away by its stunning coastal scenery, historic villages, and peaceful nature spots. If you’re planning a trip, here’s our recommended itinerary with the best places to take pictures! 🌊 Huangqi Peninsula We started our day at Huangqi Peninsula, and the ocean views were absolutely breathtaking! The rugged coastline, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs made it feel like a hidden paradise. We found a few scenic hiking trails leading to stunning viewpoints—perfect for capturing the beauty of Lianjiang. The best time to visit is in the morning when the sunlight reflects off the sea, creating a dazzling view. 📍 Address: Huangqi Peninsula, Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, Fujian, China 🏯 Aojiao Ancient Village Exploring Aojiao Ancient Village felt like traveling back in time. The well-preserved stone houses, narrow alleys, and traditional fishing culture made this place truly special. We wandered through the village, chatted with friendly locals, and captured some incredible photos of the charming historic streets. The afternoon light made the village’s architecture even more stunning! 📍 Address: Aojiao Ancient Village, Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, Fujian, China 🌅 Matsu Islands Viewing Platform We ended our day at the Matsu Islands Viewing Platform, a hidden gem offering panoramic views of the sea and the distant Matsu Islands. Watching the sunset here was unforgettable—the sky turned shades of pink and orange, and the reflection on the water was magical. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peaceful coastal atmosphere. 📍 Address: Matsu Islands Viewing Platform, Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, Fujian, China #discoverchina #travel #Vacation

Super beautiful Matsu

Isn’t the sika deer so beautiful! ! There are hundreds of sika deer on Daqiu Island in Matsu. You can arrange a morning walk on the island. Remember to use sunscreen 🧴. You need to walk all the way on the island, but there are not many places with shade ~ #大丘岛 #马祖景点#美花鹿

#LocalTour This is the art season that began in 2022 and will be held in the four townships and five islands of Matsu from late September to mid-November. The concept is a bit like the entire island is a museum, and international artists will be invited to create in various spaces in Matsu. You can see the 26th point from Baimawang Park but you can't get there directly (Google's route is wrong). It is the only exhibition hall in Nangan that has a shuttle bus at the airport. You can make an online reservation for a guided tour now. The entire tour takes an hour. The 26 bases were originally renovated by architects and are full of design sense. During this Art Island event, the tour guide will introduce the characteristics of the tunnel space and the artists' creative concepts. The artists will incorporate sound and light to make the tunnel full of surprises. On the way out of the tunnel, you will see a platform. I heard that many people like to watch the sunset here. #TaiwanLocalTravel #GoodFamilyDestinations #familytravel

Compassionate Sea View

Mazu, who is not ready to eat and eat with Elly, has thousands of kinds of foods like Taiwan. Many of them are made by the fishermen. They are not gorgeous, but they all contain the sweetness of the sea. Names are too late to remember the snacks and seafood, the difference is that most of the delicious food here has a taste of distiller's grains. Fried rice, noodle, barbecue... even popsicles and fried chicken cant escape the gluten taste