4-Day Ecology Exploration Tour

Matsu is surrounded by converging ocean currents and is abundant in fishery resources. The variety of coastal and marine animals is extremely rich. Black Porgy, Groupers, and Sea Bass in the sea are the challenges anglers look forward to most. The rich biological communities, such as the Ghost Crabs and Venus Clams commonly found on sandy beaches, Short-necked Clams and *Anomalocardia squamosa* on gravel beaches, and Japanese Goose Barnacles and Barnacles in rock crevices, are simply dazzling.

Day1｜Dongyin Tour: Zhongzhu Port (Dongyin) → Lienyu Yikeng → Taibai Tiansheng → Dongyong Lighthouse → Dongyin Winery → Zhongzhu Island
When the weather is clear at Zhongzhu Port, many swallowtail butterflies and pierid butterflies can be seen gliding quickly on the air currents. Taking a car to the Dongyong Lighthouse and walking along the trail to the lighthouse, one can often find a considerable number of lycaenid butterflies. On the grass, you can see species such as the *Acytolepis puspa* (Common Hedge Blue), as well as some pierid and nymphalid butterflies like the *Polygonia c-aureum* (Asian Comma) and *Vanessa indica* (Indian Red Admiral) foraging. The area from Lienyu Yikeng to Taibai Tiansheng is the only place in Matsu where a population of *Tongeia filicaudis* can be found, appearing here from spring to autumn. It is truly a unique feature of Dongyin.

Transportation Information

1. Take the Taima Star ferry from Keelung West Pier 2 (sailing time about 10 hours) to Dongyin Township, Matsu.
2. Take the first UNI Air flight to Matsu Nangan Airport, then take a taxi to Fu'ao Harbor to catch the Taima Star ferry to Dongyin.
3. There are taxis available at Zhongzhu Port pier, making it very convenient to hail a ride. You can also inquire about scooter rentals at your hotel.

Cost Information

1. Taima Star one-way fare: Full fare from Keelung to Matsu Dongyin is approximately NT$1,050.
2. Taima Star one-way fare: Full fare from Nangan to Dongyin is approximately NT$350.

Travel Tips

1. Visitor Tip: Taima Star ferry services may be canceled or change schedules due to seasonal or weather conditions. Please confirm before boarding.
2. Dongyin Laoye Hotel Contact Number: 0836-77168
3. Xinhua Shipping:
   Keelung 02-2424-6868
   Nangan 0836-26655
   Dongyin 0836-77555
4. It is recommended to check whether the day's route is "Matsu first, Dongyin second" or "Dongyin first, Matsu second" when planning your itinerary.

Day2｜Juguang Tour: Meng'ao Port (Dongju) → Fuzheng Beach → Dongju Island Lighthouse (Dongju) → Dapu Settlement → Qingfan Port (Xiju) → Xiqiu → Ledao'ao → Sheshan (Xiju) → Caipu'ao
The waters near Juguang Island have uninhabited reefs such as Sheshan and Yongliuyu. These uninhabited islands were used as target islands for shooting by the ROC military in the past. With the lifting of battlefield administration, they have slowly returned to nature. Undisturbed by humans, and located in the Min River estuary waters which produce abundant Japanese anchovy and *Setipinna taty* (Scaly hairfin anchovy), they have become the best places for seabirds to forage and breed. Among them, Sheshan in Xiju has been announced as a Matsu Tern Protection Area. In the Dapu and Fuzheng settlements of the Juguang area, traces of resident birds are also often found. Even in residential houses in downtown areas, swallows can be seen nesting everywhere under the eaves. Juguang people proudly say that their refrigerator is by the sea, referring to the intertidal zone of Yongliuyu after the tide recedes, where Matsu's limpets, venus clams, Japanese goose barnacles, turban snails, laver, oysters, and other seafood can be found. It is known as Juguang's ocean pasture.

Turtle Claws in Rock Crevices - Japanese Goose Barnacle
True to its name, the Japanese Goose Barnacle (locally called "Turtle Claw"), although related to barnacles, is flat and has a long fleshy stalk. They always hide in rock crevices, peeking their heads out. Besides looking like a turtle's claw, its appearance also resembles hands clasped in prayer, so Matsu residents call it "Buddha's Hand" (Fo Shou).

Transportation Information

1. Take the Taima Star from Dongyin Zhongzhu Port (approx. 2 hours) to Nangan. Upon arriving at Nangan Pier, you can choose to go to Juguang Township.
2. Ferry times from Nangan to Juguang are 07:00, 11:00, and 14:30.
3. Ferry departure times from Juguang back to Nangan vary depending on whether Xiju or Dongju is served first in odd or even months. Please refer to on-site port announcements or check official routes and the latest ferry schedules in advance.
4. Odd-numbered months: West (Xiju) first, then East (Dongju): Fu'ao Port (approx. 50 mins) to Xiju; Xiju (approx. 10 mins) to Dongju; Dongju (approx. 50 mins) to Fu'ao Port.
5. Even-numbered months: East (Dongju) first, then West (Xiju): Fu'ao Port (approx. 50 mins) to Dongju; Dongju (approx. 10 mins) to Xiju; Xiju (approx. 50 mins) to Fu'ao Port.

Cost Information

1. Nangan - Juguang one-way ferry fare is approximately NT$250.
2. Dongju to Xiju one-way ferry fare: Full fare NT$80, Half fare NT$40.
3. Scooter rental for one day is approximately NT$500.

Travel Tips

1. Accommodation and dining on the islands are available in Qingfan Village and Tian'ao Village in Xiju, and Daping Village, Dapu Settlement, and Fuzheng Village in Dongju.

Day3｜Nangan Tour: Fu'ao Port (Nangan) → Ren'ai Village Bay → Iron Fort → Stronghold 53 → Xiwei Fisheries Research Institute → Night Viewing of Blue Tears at Beihai Tunnel (Seasonal)
Matsu's Nangan and Beigan are the main islands for dolphin watching in winter. The most common place to find finless porpoises is in the calm waters southwest of the islands in winter. The dolphin watching route in Nangan is along the Jinren Trail between Jinsha Settlement and Ren'ai Village, with Iron Fort being the best observation point in Matsu. A 10-minute drive leads to the Fisheries Research Institute in Siwei Village at the far end of Nangan Island, where you can view fish specimens. Matsu is a marine paradise famous for shrimp skin, yellow croaker, grouper, etc., as well as what Matsu people call "Dan Cai" (Mediterranean mussel) and wakame. In the evening, you can go to Beihai Tunnel to watch the Blue Tears. By taking a traditional Matsu fishing boat, "Yao Lu" (sculling boat), you have the opportunity to watch the Blue Tears up close and experience a dreamlike scene straight out of a movie.

Transportation Information

1. For Nangan Island, Matsu's largest island by area, you can choose to take a taxi or rent a car or scooter.

Cost Information

1. Taxi charter is available for about NT$500 per hour.
2. Car rental is about NT$2,000 per day.
3. Scooter rental is about NT$500 per day.

Travel Tips

1. Accommodation and dining on the island are available in Jieshou Village, Qingshui Village, Matsu Village, Fuxing Village, etc.

Day4｜Beigan Tour: Fu'ao Port → Depart from Baisha Port (Beigan) → Daqiu Island
Visitors who want to watch Sika Deer can hire legal recreational fishing boats in Beigan, such as "Long Fu" or "Meihua Princess," to sail from Qiaozai to Daqiu. Citizens can board the boat with just their ID card. The voyage takes only five minutes. Go to Daqiu Island to watch Sika Deer, follow the trail around the island along the Daqiu Branch School, and slowly observe the ecology of the Sika Deer here.

Transportation Information

1. Taxi.
2. Rent a scooter.
3. Recreational fishing boats to the reef: Meihua Princess, Long Fu.

Cost Information

1. Taxi charter is about NT$500 per hour or by trip.
2. Scooter rental is about NT$500 per day.

Travel Tips

1. It is recommended that visitors bring binoculars to the above attractions for a better chance to capture traces of finless porpoises and Sika Deer.
2. Long Fu Recreational Fishing Boat
   Contact Number: (0836)55077

※The above ticket prices and ferry/flight times are for reference only. Please refer to actual announcements.