Military history tour

Caipu Bay, located in the northeastern Xiju Island, gets its name- literally "Vegetable Bay”- for the abundant seaweed produced at in bay. Before Qingfan’s deep water port was completed, Caipu Bay was the main harbor for arrivals and departures during the summer. The natural scenery along the shore is of typical conical granite formations, with steep inclines and precipitous drop-offs. Granite dikes radiate deep into the ocean, forming bays of different sizes. Mystery Cove, which lies on the south side of Fuzheng Village, is a new point of interest only named in the last few years. The path is rugged and not an easy walk, but the scenery is so outstanding that you may not want to leave.

In 1968, based on the guiding strategic principles of combined offensive and defense and the requirements of combat missions, the ROC Armed Forces excavated tunnel docks that could accommodate small boats at Nangan, Beigan, Xiju, and Dongju, designating the plan “Project Beihai” (North Sea). Nangan’s Beihai Tunnel, also called the “underground port,” has a layout like井, and can hold 120 small craft. Ten minutes’ walk from the tunnel is a model military stronghold; there are three levels of tunnels inside, with complete military facilities inside. In February 2007, it was opened up as a new attraction connected to the Beihai Tunnel. The Iron Fort (Tiebao) lies to the west of Renai Village, below Binhai Road towards Jinsha. This was originally a separate rocky shoal jutting up out of the sea, but for strategic purposes, the Armed Forces hollowed it out and covered the top with concrete to serve as a stronghold standing unyieldingly against the crashing waves around it. Shards of glass were inserted into the nearby rocks to protect against frogman infiltrators from the mainland. Although the Iron Fort has been abandoned, everything has been preserved- the underground stone rooms, tunnels, loopholes, gun batteries, and other defenses are all as they were. This was where the only dog (an alsatian) with military rank ever to serve on Matsu was based. Once an important strategic strongpoint, it is now open to visit for free all day, and is a great place to get a taste of the wartime atmosphere of years past.

Biyuan Park has easy foot paths and sightseeing facilities. The park contains a monument to soldiers who died in the line of duty or in battle, erected in 1960 for people to pay their respects. The area has also become a popular picnic destination for both soldiers and civilians. A 10 minute drive towards Mt. Dawo, to the rear of Houwo Village is the 38.8 hectare Matsu Peace Memorial Park. The planning and design of the park began in 2004, and so far, a Stronghold 08 theme museum, Mt. Luobeng Nature Path and Stronghold 06 scenic platform, underground tunnels and other points of interest have been completed. Walking to Mt. Dawo along the Dawo Village military road, you can see decommissioned military weapons and vehicles along either side of the road, including military trucks, howitzers, self-propelled artillery, tanks, and more, as well as placards introducing the items.