Private Day Tour to Explore Kinmen Island

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. Zhaishan Tunnel

   Pick you up at your hotel at around 7 o'clock and head to Xiamen Wutong Wharf. Then take a luxury ferry to Kinmen Shuitou Commercial Port. Upon arrival, you will visit Zhaishan Tunnel first. Walking into Zhaishan Tunnel, you can't help but feel great awe for this huge tunnel. Witness remnants of Taiwan's military history at Zhaishan Tunnel. Built to escape bombing from mainland China during the 1958-shelling of the island, the two-part 101 m (331 ft) long tunnel was the only way supplies could be transported to the defending island. Construction commenced in 1958 and was conducted 24 hours a day without skipping a day until its completion three years later. The fact that the tunnel is completely made of granite adds to the engineering masterpiece's impressive features. The water channel comfortably houses 42 small boats, thanks to its 357 m (1,171 ft) length and sits attached to the tunnel. It was abandoned in 1986 due to sediment deposition.

   45 minutes here

2. Chen Shih-Yin Western-Style House

   Then you will take a stroll in the Chen Jing-lan Western-style House. This impressive mansion is the result of one Kinmen businessman's success in Singapore in the early 1900s. Its all-white exterior, fine carvings and symmetric archways are all features that give it a western rather than Chinese look. Wander inside to find out its interesting history and varied occupants. On the 2nd floor, you can read stories about and see photos of various Kinmen people who left to seek a better life.

   45 minutes here

3. Kinmen National Park

   After that, you will head to Kinmen National Park which is the first national park in Taiwan aims for protecting the historic and cultural relics such as battlefield monuments due to its historic background. In 16th century, the Japanese pirates constantly harassed Kinmen, so the government geared up the island with fortresses and arms. Since 1949, Kinmen once again became a battlefield between Chinese Communist and Kuomintang. Battlefield relics include the Guningtou Battle Museum and the August 23rd Artillery Battle Museum.

   60 minutes here

4. Kinmen

   In the afternoon, transfer to Kinmen Guesthouse which is a tunnel hotel that penetrates through granite. It was the most famous guesthouse during the civil war. It was completed in 1980 and has been called "underground Hilton.” The guesthouse has 31 rooms in a tunnel that is 320-meter long. The original two rooms have been preserved: one once accommodated former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, whereas the other accommodated Teresa Teng several times when she was performing for the soldiers in Kinmen, Room No. 018.

   60 minutes here

5. Juguanglou

   A trip to Kinmen wouldn't be complete without a visit to Juguang Tower, the landmark from the Chinese civil war period. Built in 1953 as a memorial for Kinmen's fallen soldiers in the Battle of Guningtou 4 years earlier, it's also a token of Kinmen's spirit. The tower's distinctive architecture combines a traditional Chinese tower on top of a contemporary base. Two small cannons at the front date from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Then head to the wharf and return to Xiamen.

   60 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

ko, cmn, ja, en, fr

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 10 travelers per booking

Operated by

China Memory Trip

Know before you go

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos