Kinmen (aka Jinmen or Quemoy) is a group of islands off the coast of Xiamen, China, belonging to Taiwan. For years it was the front lines and closest territory to China during the Chinese Civil War, which has not officially ended. Now that the war with China has come to a close due to the establishment of the “status quo,” Kinmen has been open to tourism, especially from that of China. Kinmen has the highest concentration of museums and historical buildings in almost anywhere in Taiwan, as well as local cuisine, beaches, and scenery, making it an ideal vacation destination for Taiwanese, Chinese, and other foreign tourists.
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Background: Kinmen first began to be settled by Chinese people in the Tang Dynasty (around 700 AD). It got its name Jinmen “Golden Gate” from the Hongwu Emporer who set up military operations on the main Island during the Ming Dynasty in 1387. The name Quemoy comes from the Hokkien pronunciation of the name. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty (1644), Ming Loyalists continued to occupy Kinmen under the Prince of Lu and Kongxia, but Kinmen was eventually captured by the Qing in 1663. The Islands were never ceded to Japan. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Kinmen (along with the rest of China) was governed by the Republic of China (ROC). When the ROC lost the Chinese Civil War, they retreated to Taiwan under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, but still maintained some outlying islands off of the west coast of China. The ROC army dug into Kinmen and fortified almost every inch of the island, holding off the PRC invasion. Perhaps the most pivotal battle in holding off the communists was the battle of Guningtou in which 9,000 PRC troops were defeated and captured in an attempt to take back the island of Kinmen. The battle effectively stopped the PRC from advancing toward invasion of Taiwan, because in 1950 the Korean War started, demanding much of their manpower, buying time until the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in 1955, offering protection by the United States. against the PRC invasion of Taiwan. Because of this, the battle laid the groundwork for the status quo between China and Taiwan as we know it today. Kinmen was kept as a military reserve until it was made into a civilian government in the 1990s. Travel was reopened with China in 2001, which really opened the door for the tourism sector on the islands mainly driven by Chinese tourists. Many businessmen also moved to the island to gain easy entry into China from Taiwan. In 2015 the Taiwanese government made it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Kinmen by allowing them to apply for visa on arrival. Currently, the island’s main industry is tourism, but there is also a large Sorghum Wine production industry, as well as agriculture and fishing. Kinmen is a stronghold for the KMT party, mainly because the residents resent the fact that many in the pro-independence DPP would consider returning Kinmen to China in an independence treaty. When to go: Autumn is said to be the best time to visit when there are still warm temperatures and not too much rainfall. Spring also has great temperatures, but seasonal rains may dampen your travels. Summer can get really hot, which might be totally fine with you. The winter is cold and windy; don’t go in winter. How to get there: By Plane: The only way to get from Taiwan to Kinmen is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Penghu, and Kaohsiung. You can book cheap flights to Kinmen on KKday here or Trip.com here. By Boat: You can reach Kinmen from Xiamen at Wutong Port (五通碼頭) or Quanzhou at Shijing Port (石井碼頭), connecting at Shuitou Port (水頭碼頭). Getting Around the Island: Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours. Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance. Scooter Rental:Price: expect 400 NT per day. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. Car Rental:Price: expect 2000 NT per day. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Don’t rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers. Shuttle Bus:You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental:Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Where to Stay: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. Map: Please see below:
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Thinking of coming to Taiwan? In this blog, we will share insider tips for planning a great vacation here.
Taiwan is the most friendly country in the world for foreigners and one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Many have called it the best-kept secret in Asia. Taiwan is not usually known as a travel destination, mainly because of PRC China which tries to downplay its existence and the fact that the Taiwan Tourism Bureau does not do a very good job. We will try to make up for that with this blog. Table of Contents
When to go: The best time to go they say is anytime! There is always a part of Taiwan that is great to visit at any given time of year. However, most areas are most comfortable around May when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons. The typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The tourist busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be colder, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often. How to get there: By Plane: You can book cheap flights to Taiwan on Trip.com or CheapO Air. You can also search for cheap flights in Taiwan here and here. You can also book discount tickets for domestic flights within Taiwan on KKday here. By Boat: There is a ferry boat between Kinmen and Xiamen, China. That is the only commercial way I know of to travel to Taiwan by boat. Tours: There are many tours and activities available such as snorkeling, diving, SUPing, Surfing, Speed Boating, Glamping, River tracing, Paragliding, Kayaking, Canoeing, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Whale Watching, ATV / 4-wheeling, Paintballing, Water Biking, Glamping, Cycling, Ziplining, Horse Riding, and many others, which you can book through Klook here or KKday here. Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Booking.com, Expedia, and Hotels.com are also good choices. How to get around in Taiwan: By Train: You can take a train ride around the entire island in about 8 hours. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By HSR: Taiwan’s HSR runs from north to south along the west coast of Taiwan, and is perhaps the fastest mode of transport available. You can book discount tickets via high speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By Bus: Busses leave hourly from most major cities. You can book inter-city bus on Klook here. By Scooter: You can rent a scooter on Klook or KKday. Scooter rental is about 300 NT per day. You can check out our scooter rental guide here. By Car: You can also rent a car for about 1500 NT per day. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Map: Please see a map below of all the places we have blogged about in Taiwan:
Taiwan's outer islands are some of the most beautiful and scenic places in the whole country, and each of them can be considered a secret paradise. You can find the best beaches, snorkeling, and diving on these islands. You can also find rich and important historical sites here. Transportation may be difficult, but you will never regret visiting Taiwan's outer islands, and no trip to Taiwan should be complete without doing it.
In this blog, we will introduce the main outer islands in Taiwan that are open to tourists (there are 166 islands in Taiwan, this blog only covers a few), point out their unique traits, and compare them to each other. This way you can best prepare for your trip to the outer islands, and at the same time know what you are missing out on. All the outer Islands are great, and I highly recommend visiting them all if you can. When to visit:
How to get there:
Where to stay: Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Tours: There are many tours available on the islands, including scooter rentals, boat tickets, and other activities. For more information, book with Klook here or KKday here. Map: Please see a map of the islands covered in this blog below:
Kinmen (aka Jinmen or Quemoy) is a group of islands off the coast of Xiamen, China, belonging to Taiwan. For years it was the front lines and closest territory to China during the Chinese Civil War, which has not officially ended. Now that the war with China has come to a close due to the establishment of the "status quo," Kinmen has been open to tourism, especially from that of China. Kinmen has the highest concentration of museums and historical buildings in almost anywhere in Taiwan, as well as local cuisine, beaches, and scenery, making it an ideal vacation destination for both Taiwanese, Chinese, and other foreign tourists.
Background: Kinmen first began to be settled by Chinese people in the Tang Dynasty (around 700 AD). It got its name Jinmen "Golden Gate" from the Hongwu Emporer who set up military operations on the main Island during the Ming Dynasty in 1387. The name Quemoy comes from the Hokkien pronunciation of the name. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty (1644), Ming Loyalists continued to occupy Kinmen under the Prince of Lu and Kongxia, but Kinmen was eventually captured by the Qing in 1663. The Islands were never ceded to Japan. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Kinmen (along with the rest of China) was governed by the Republic of China (ROC). When the ROC lost the Chinese Civil War, they retreated to Taiwan under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, but still maintained some outlying islands off of the west coast of China. The ROC army dug into Kinmen and fortified almost every inch of the island, holding off PRC invasion. Perhaps the most pivotal battle in holding off the communists was the battle of Guningtou in which 9,000 PRC troops were defeated and captured in an attempt to take back the island of Kinmen. The battle effectively stopped the PRC from advancing toward invasion of Taiwan, because in 1950 the Korean War started, demanding much of their manpower, buying time until the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in 1955, offering protection by the United States. against PRC invasion of Taiwan. Because of this, the battle laid the groundwork for the status quo between China and Taiwan as we know it today. Kinmen was kept as a military reserve until it was made into a civilian government in the 1990s. Travel was reopened with China in 2001, which really opened the door for the tourism sector on the islands mainly driven by Chinese tourists. Many businessmen also moved to the island to gain easy entry into China from Taiwan. In 2015 the Taiwanese government made it easier for Chinese tourists to visit Kinmen by allowing them to apply for visa on arrival. Currently the island's main industry is tourism, but there is also large Sorghum Wine production industry, as well as agriculture and fishing. Kinmen is a stronghold for the KMT party, mainly because the residents resent the fact that many in the pro-independence DPP would consider returning Kinmen to China in an independence treaty. When to go: Autumn is said to be the best time to visit when there are still warm temperatures and not too much rainfall. Spring also has great temperatures, but seasonal rains may dampen your travels. Summer can get really hot, which might be totally fine with you. The winter is cold and windy; don't go in winter. How to get there: By Plane: The only way to get to from Taiwan to Kinmen is via airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Penghu, and Kaohsiung. You can book cheap flights to Kinmen on KKday here, Trip.com here, CheapO Air here, or Kiwi here. By Boat: You can reach Kinmen from Xiamen at Wutong port (五通碼頭) or Quanzhou at Shijing Port (石井碼頭), connecting at Shuitou Port (水頭碼頭). Getting around the island: Rent a scooter! The island is small so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours. Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance. Scooter Rental: Price: expect 400 NT per day. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed. Car Rental: Price: expect 2000 NT per day. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Don't rent a car unless you absolutely need to. Renting scooters should be sufficient for most travelers. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. Map: Please see below: Taiwan’s outer islands are some of the most beautiful and scenic places in the whole country, and each of them can be considered a secret paradise. You can find the best beaches, snorkeling, and diving on these islands. You can also find rich and important historical sites here. Transportation may be difficult, but you will never regret visiting Taiwan’s outer islands, and no trip to Taiwan should be complete without doing it. In this blog, we will introduce the main outer islands in Taiwan that are open to tourists (there are 166 islands in Taiwan, this blog only covers a few), point out their unique traits, and compare them to each other. This way you can best prepare for your trip to the outer islands, and at the same time know what you are missing out on. All the outer Islands are great, and I highly recommend visiting them all if you can.
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Green Island 綠島: The month of May is the best time to go to Green Island and Orchid Island when it is not too hot and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons. Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼: The month of May, same as Green Island above. Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島: March-November. Boat tours are generally closed from December to February due to rough seas and cold weather. Keelung Islet 基隆嶼: Boats to Keelung Islet are only available from April to October due to northeasterly winds in the winter. The Matsu Islands 馬祖列島: We recommend going to Matsu between April and June when you can see the “blue tear” phosphorescent microbes in the water. Kinmen 金門: Autumn is said to be the best time to visit Kinmen, when there are still warm temperatures and not too much rainfall. Penghu 澎湖群島: Spring to Autumn. Winters are rather miserable. How to get there:Xiaoliuqiu Island 小琉球 By Boat: The only way to get there is via ferry from Donggang or Kaohsiung. You can purchase a tickets at Donggang Fishing Harbor (東港漁港), or through a tour agency such as Klook here or here, or KKday. You can also check out our Xiaoliuqiu Ferry Guide here. Green Island 綠島 By Plane: The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island. You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or a similar website. By Boat: Ferry prices are about 1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip. You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or a similar website. Orchid Island (Lanyu) 蘭嶼 By Plane: The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung. Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu. You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website. By Boat: There are two places that offer ferry rides to Lanyu: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港) (2300 NT per person round trip/1150 NT per single trip). You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website. Turtle Island (Guishan Island) 龜山島 By Boat: The only way to get to Turtle Island is by boat from Wushih Harbor in Yilan. You can purchase a ticket at the harbor or book online in advance via Klook or KKday. Keelung Islet 基隆嶼 By Boat: In order to get to Keelung Islet, you first need to make your way to Badouzi Harbor (see map below). Next, you have to take a boat to the island. There are multiple ferry boats running to Keelung daily from April to October. You can book tickets on Klook here or KKday here. The Matsu Islands 馬祖列島 By Plane: The easiest way to get around the islands is to take a plane/boat to Nangan and then go island hopping from there. Nangan is the main transportation hub for all the islands. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Keelung Harbor that usually take an overnight trip to Nangan, passing through Dongyin Island. Kinmen 金門 By Plane: The only way to get from Taiwan to Kinmen is via an airplane. Planes leave daily from Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, Tainan, Penghu, and Kaohsiung. By Boat: You can reach Kinmen from Xiamen at Wutong Port (五通碼頭) or Quanzhou at Shijing Port (石井碼頭), connecting at Shuitou Port (水頭碼頭). Penghu 澎湖群島 By Plane: There are daily flights from Taipei Songshan, Rates can range from around 2200-6000 NT for a round trip. There are also flights to and from Chiayi, Tainan, Kinmen, and Chimei. By Boat: There are daily ferries from Chiayi and Kaohsiung. A one-way trip takes about 4 hours from both locations. A one-way ferry from Kaohsiung costs about 900 NT for just a reclining seat, and a one-way ferry from Chiayi costs about 1000 NT. You can book ferry boat tickets on Klook here. Where to stay:Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Tours:There are many tours available on the islands, including scooter rentals, boat tickets, and other activities. For more information, book with Klook here or KKday here. Map:
Beishan Broadcasting Tower (aka Beishan Broadcasting Wall) is a tower on the north central coast of Kinmen used by the military to broadcast messages, propaganda, and music across Xiamen harbor to communists on the other side. The tower still sends broadcasts daily, and is a unique wartime relic that is definitely worth visiting.
Background: The tower has 48 speaker holes and can broadcast up to 25 kilometers away. The tower was built as part of "physiological warfare" to the other side. Every day the broadcasting tower still plays messages to China, including Teresa Teng's music (鄧麗君), a Taiwanese singer who was one of the most influential and famous Mandarin speaking singers of her time. Broadcasting times: 09:00-09:45 10:30-11:00 13:00-13:30 14:00-14:30 15:00-15:45 16:00-16:30 Hours: 24/7 Price: Free: Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to Get There: By Scooter or Car: You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below.
Zhaishan Tunnels (aka Jhaishan Tunnels) are winding military tunnels running underground in Kinmen connecting to the ocean. During the Chinese Civil War, they were used to protect ships from bombing raids. The tunnels are open for tours, and besides having great acoustics the tunnels are also strikingly beautiful.
Background: The tunnels were completed in 1966, but due to budget constraints the tunnels had to close in 1986. I assume this is because the tunnels required constant dredging. The tunnels were made into a national heritage park and opened for tourists in 1998. The tunnels are over 350 meters long, 6 meters wide, and 3.5 meters high. Hours: Every day 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Price: Free Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter or Car: Take Zhuhai West Road Sec. 3 out of Kincheng south to Guguang lake. Follow the brown signs to the tunnels; there is a large parking lot and park in front of the entrance. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
The battle of Guningtou was of the largest and perhaps the important fight that fended off PRC invasion in Kinmen and Taiwan. It began with thousands of communist troops boarding ships and invading Kinmen, gaining ground quickly. However, the PRC troops were pushed back and captured, proving to be an important victory for the ROC army and preventing the PRC from advancing to Taiwan.
Now you can learn more about this important battle by passing through the town of Guningtou and visiting the Guningtou Battle Museum. Background: During the Chinese Civil War, Chiang Kai-shek's nationalist ROC forces started to withdraw to Taiwan. According to PRC strategy, Kinmen and Matsu had to be taken before an attack on Taiwan. The PRC originally thought that there were only 2,000 troops on Kinmen, but in reality there had 40,000 troops, as well as air and sea support. The PLA sent 19,000 troops to Kinmen that were supposed to take the island in a number of days. On October 26th, 1949, the initial wave of PRC troops were shot up by the ROC and many of their wooden boats destroyed, but were able to push there way into Guningtou with help from a second wave of reinforcements. In total, only 9,000 of the original 19,000 troops landed on Kinmen. The next day a bloody battle was fought in the village of Guningtou, and with the help of air support, the PRC forces were pushed back to the beach. By the third day, all of the PRC troops had surrendered, proving ultimate victory for the ROC army for the battle. In total, 1,267 ROC troops were killed, 3,873 PRC soldiers were killed and 5,175 were captured. For more information regarding the battle, see the Wikipedia article here. The outcome of the battle proved to be a morale boost for ROC troops that had been losing over and over to PRC forces on the mainland. It effectively stopped the PRC from advancing toward invasion of Taiwan, because in 1950 the Korean War started, demanding much of their manpower, buying time until the Sino-American Mutual Defense Treaty was signed in 1955, offering protection by the United States. against PRC invasion of Taiwan. Because of this, the battle laid the groundwork for the status quo between China and Taiwan as we know it today. Hours: Every day, 8:30 AM -5 PM Price: Free Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: Take Huandao West Road North out of Kincheng and continue to Guningtou Village. Follow the signs and turn right after you come to Beishan Old House to reach the museum. Map: Please see below:
The area around Hujingtou in the island of Little Kinmen (aka Lieyu 烈嶼) is full of historical significance. It was the closest front line in Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War, only 5 KM from Xiamen. Now the museum and displays in the area are open to tourists who can experience what it was like to be on the front lines during the standoff between the PRC and KMT forces.
Background: The Hujingtou Battle Museum was built in 1988 , and features a castle like building, including moats and cannons on display. The museum details battles that occured on little Kinmen such as the Da Eer Battle and the August 23 Artillery Battle (aka Second Taiwan Strait Crisis) in which the PRC and KMT forces battered each other with artillery fire for 4 weeks, killing roughly 800 soldiers in total. The battle resulted in a stalemate, with neither side gaining any ground and the Chinese using up all their ammunition. The Battle Museum also conspicuously leaves out history of the 1987 Lieyu Massacre in which ROC forces shot and killed 19 Vietnamese shipwrecked fisherman and tried to cover it up. Price: Free Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM every day Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: From Kinmen, drive across the giant bridge over to Liyeyu (Little Kinmen) Island, or take the ferry from Shuitou Harbor. The fort is on the northeast corner of the island. By Scooter or Car: You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Maoshan Tower is an ancient pagoda dating to the 14th century AD that sits on top of a hill on the southwest side of Kinmen Island. From the top of the hill, one can see pristine views of the Xiamen Harbor, the Taiwan strait, and Kinmen Island. The hike takes about 10 minutes and is definitely worth a stop on your trip to Kinmen.
Brief Historic Background: There are three ancient towers in Kinmen: Wentaibao Tower, Daoying Tower, and Maoshan Tower. The towers were originally built in the Ming Dynasty by Jiang Xiahou 江夏侯 under the Hongwu Emperor (1368-1398 AD) for military purposes to ward off pirates, and to act as landmarks for ships (kind of like lighthouses). Maoshan Tower was built in 1387 AD. The tower also served as target for the PRC during the 823 Artillery War in 1958, killing many soldiers stationed around the tower. To make it less of a target for the communists, it was taken down for a few years. During deconstruction, a few people were crushed by the stones (the local people said this was due to the wrath of the ancestors). However, sometime around the end of martial law in Taiwan, the tower was rebuilt to its current form. The tower was struck by lightning in 1997 causing some damage, so the Kinmen City Government installed a lightning rod on top of the tower. Hours: 24/7 Price: Free Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get There: By Scooter or Car: On Kinmen Island, take Xihai Raod Section 1 西海路一段 south past Shuitou Village and you will see it on top of a prominent hill. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Shuitou Village is perhaps the most visited historical village in Kinmen. It features mansions from some of the wealthiest merchants in Kinmen at the time, preserving western style mixed with traditional Southern Min style architecture. Walking through this village gives you a unique time-period view of Kinmen's history.
Background: Shuitou Village has been inhabited for over 700 years. In it's prime, it was the richest village in Kinmen. The western style mansions (Yanglou 洋樓) in the village built by rich merchants are among the best preserved and extravagant on the island. These mansions are available for tours daily. Among the most famous buildings are Deyue Gun Tower, Jinshui Elementary School, and the Huang Family Ancestral House. Most of the people in the town were either fisherman or farmers, being close to the major wharf on the island (Shuitou Wharf). Hours: 24/7 Deyue Tower and Mansion Tour Times: 09:00、10:00、11:00、14:00、15:00、16:00, and open for visits 8:30 AM -5:00 PM every day. Other Tours and Activities in Kinmen: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter or Car: From Kincheng, take Xinhai Raod Sec. 1 south to Shuitou village. The tower will be hard to miss. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Jiugong Tunnels (aka Siwei Tunnels 思維坑道) are the most impressive tunnels on Little Kinmen, and extremely similar to the Zhaishan Tunnels on Kinmen Island. Originally built to protect ROC ships from bombing raids, the tunnels actually go through the island, connecting the ocean from each side.
Background: Jiugong Tunnels were completed in 1965 to protect ships, connecting Jiugong Pier to Luocu Fishing Harbor. The tunnel connects these by going under a hill on the south side of Little Kinmen. The tunnels are 790 meters long and 11.5 meters high, feature 5 underground piers, 4 exits to the sea, and in its prime it could fit up to 52 ships in the tunnels. Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM every day Price: Free Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to Get There: By Scooter or Car: From Jiugong Pier turn left, and go south on Binhai Boulevard to the end of the road. The tunnels will be on the right. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
The Kinmen land mine museum lies on the island of little Kinmen (Lieyu), and uses space from the disused bunkers of "Tiehan Fort and “Yongshi Fort." The exhibition provides a full explanation of the history of landmines not only in Taiwan but in the entire world. It also provides a real life, and rather frightening, experience for its visitors.
Background: The Land Mine museum was finished in 2014, using tunnel space in the old "Tiehan Fort" (鐵漢堡) and “Yongshi Fort" (勇士堡). These two forts were fitted with anti-aircraft cannons, artillery storage, and tank storage. They both survived bombing raids from the mainland. The exhibit takes you through underground tunnels that connect these two forts. After the Chinese Civil War, there were many land mines left over in and around Kinmen. Most all of these land mines have been carefully removed. However land mines still cause casualties to innocent people worldwide; this museum goes on to explore these problems as well as land mine cleanup efforts throughout the world. Hours: 8:00 - 5:00 very day Price: Free Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: From Kinmen, drive across the giant bridge over to Liyeyu (Little Kinmen) Island, or take the ferry from Shuitou Harbor. The fort is on the northeast corner of the island. By Scooter or Car: You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
The Qing Military Headquarters in Kinmen is the oldest and one of the best preserved buildings from the Qing dynasty in Taiwan. The complex is completely renovated into a museum, and is full of exhibits, showing visitors exactly what life was like during the Qing dynasty, as well as providing historical background to Kinmen and the surrounding area.
Background: The building itself was built in the 1600s during the Ming Dynasty for the scholar Xuxie (許獬) as a library. During the reign of the Kangxi Emporer starting in1662 (during the Qing Dynasty), the building was transformed into the military headquarters for Kinmen. After the ROC lost the Chinese Civil War, they used the building for government purposes until it was made into the police headquarters in 1958. In 1991 the building was made into a historical monument. In 1995 it was abandoned by the police, and by 2004 renovations had stared on the building. In 2012 the renovations were completed, and the Kinmen Military Headquarters during the Qing Dynasty reopened as a museum. Hours: 9 AM to 10 PM every day. Price: Free Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to Get There: By Scooter or Car: The building is in the center of Kincheng near Kincheng Old Street, on Wujiang Street No. 53 (浯江街53號). You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Deyue Gun Tower in Shuitou Village was once the highest building in Kinmen, originally built by a wealthy merchant to defend against pirates and thieves. The intricately decorated tower and surrounding buildings were also a sign of wealth and power to the rest of the island. It is one of the most visited attractions on the island, and guided tours are offered daily.
Background Information: Deyue Tower was built in 1931 by a wealthy trader in Shuitou Village, Huang Hui-huang, by architect Chen Nan-An at a price of 13,000 Silver Yuan. Chen Nan-an also built a mansion for Huang Huihang which sits behind the tower. Mr. Huang was a wealthy trader throughout Indonesia and Southeast Asia, and so he was a target for theft. The island had a problem with constant pirate raids, so protective measures needed to be put in place. The tower was meant to be able to have a good view of Shuitou Pier, where most of the pirate attacks originated. During Taiwan's martial law period, Deyue Tower and the surrounding mansions wereoccupied by KMT troops and used as a defensive outpost in case of invasion. From what I can tell, the tower appears to have never seen any real action, but it certainly worked as a deterrent to pirates and thieves in the area. Hours: 8:30 AM -5:00 PM every day. Free Guided Tour Times: daily at 09:00、10:00、11:00、14:00、15:00、16:00 Other Tours and Activities in Kinmen: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By Scooter or Car: From Kincheng, take Xinhai Raod Sec. 1 south to Shuitou village. The tower will be hard to miss. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Kinmen's Juguang Tower is like an introduction for the rest of the island. Much of the island's history and culture can be understood just by a quick walk through these halls. The tower also provides a nice view of Kinmen and Xiamen Harbor.
Background: Juguang Tower was completed in 1953, originally built to commemorate the battles of Guningtou and the 823 Artillery War (aka Second Taiwan Strait Crisis), two battles in which the KMT forces held back the Communists from invasion. It was built in Nanjing style, the original capital of the ROC. The tower is three stories high with galleries and historic exhibits throughout its halls. Now the tower also has many exhibitions featuring the local art and culture of the Kinmen people. Often it is the first stop for tourists visiting Kinmen. Price: Free! Hours: 8 AM - 10 PM every day. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to Get There: By Scooter or Car: Take Xihai Road Sec. 3 south out of Kincheng, then turn left onto Xianheng Road. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below:
Oucuo Beach is perhaps the nicest beach in Kinmen. It features a long flat white sand beach and beautiful views of the Taiwan Strait. Also, there is also an abandoned army tank stuck in the sand there that is popular for visitors if you can find it.
Background: Oucuo Beach is named after the nearby Oucuo Village, the traditional settlement of the Ouyang (歐陽) family, who started the settlement during the Ming Dynasty around 400 years ago. The area around the village has been a coastal defense station since the Ming dynasty all the way into the Chinese Civil War. One main attraction on the beach is the abandoned M18 army tank sitting in the sand on the south side. The US based M18 Hellcat tank was sold to the ROC after production stopped in 1944, and served a crucial role in holding back the communists during the Chinese Civil War. I'm not sure why this tank was abandoned on the beach; maybe this is a military secret. But it has soon become an Instagrammer's paradise and a top attraction in Kinmen. Hours: 24/7 Showers: Only foot wash (free), no showers. There are bathrooms next to the foot wash. See below for photos. Tours: There are many tours and activities available on the islands, such as fishing, clamming, traditional Chinese Costume Experience, Water Gun Shooting, Night Otter Spotting, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, Intertidal Eco Tour, Handmade Metalworking DIY, and many others. For more information, look at other tour/ferry sites or book a personalized tour with Klook here or KKday here. Hotels: We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. You can also find out more about where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide here. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase. How to get there: By scooter/car: Take Jinshan Road south of Kincheng until you reach Oucuo Village. The beach can be reached via a narrow concrete road going south behind the village. You can book a scooter rental for Kinmen Island on Klook here or on KKday here. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. You can rent a car for Kinmen on KKday here or charter a car on Klook here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Shuttle Bus: You can book a discount tourist shuttle bus pass on KKday here. Bicycle Rental: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Map: Please see below: |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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□ Planning your trip to Taiwan? □
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn when it is not too hot or cold and less rainy
- How to get there: Plane tickets via Trip.com
- Best places to stay can be found on Agoda
- Book tours and activities in Taiwan on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights