Where's a, what's a Kinmen?

Jinma Yutang Home Stay

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Hotel | "Old Home Style"

Jinma Yutang Home Stay, Taiwan Photo - Jinma Yutang Home Stay, Kinmen, Taiwan

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I had gotten a book that listed home stays all over Taiwan with four listed on Kinmen Island. Since I could not fathom where they were, my process of ranking as if I had a choice included price and check-in/check-out time. Three included breakfast which meant little to me.Why these home stays, considered guesthouses and bed and breakfast to some, appealed to me was the buildings. Structures from the 19th century constructed in traditional Southern Fujian design ranged from being previous government buildings to teach houses. Not unlike plantations and ranches, they are located in rural areas.The one I wound up at, as per my entry about finding a place, was in a small villag...Read More

I had gotten a book that listed home stays all over Taiwan with four listed on Kinmen Island. Since I could not fathom where they were, my process of ranking as if I had a choice included price and check-in/check-out time. Three included breakfast which meant little to me.

Why these home stays, considered guesthouses and bed and breakfast to some, appealed to me was the buildings. Structures from the 19th century constructed in traditional Southern Fujian design ranged from being previous government buildings to teach houses. Not unlike plantations and ranches, they are located in rural areas.

The one I wound up at, as per my entry about finding a place, was in a small village fifteen minutes walk to the beach and near the airport. The streets were actually more like alleys constructed of perfectly flat, identically sized cinder blocks. Not a sign of trash or dirt anywhere. Signs indicated no smoking or spitting.

My specific building was shaped like a square U. I was on one end, the proprietor on the other end and a Buddhist Temple in between. I realized the door in my room, that wouldn’t open, would have led to the altar.

Inside my room, brick walls with small dark wood slatted windows greeted me. At the end of the room across from the door were stairs. I wondered if I was sharing my accommodations with someone upstairs. I walked up to find two full size mattresses on the floor, a slatted window on one wall and two walls with large sliding wooden doors. Sliding one open, I realized it must have been the baby’s room. The other appeared to be for storage or a clothes closet.

Somehow, I found my particular accommodations, the building saddleback roof and restaurant-less, store-less, village all so fascinating. What a great experience. I was truly staying in a village without any businesses where people simply ate and slept.

Oddly enough, returning home and looking over my prize find and maps, I reread my home stay book. I did a double take at a photo and realized the place I had been staying was the very one I had rank last in the book simply due to price. Aside from that, it was the best as it was near a beach. I paid half the amount listed, checked in earlier than permitted and checked out later than posted. Moreover, I was given a ride back to the port.

Does it get any better than that? Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 24, 2012

Jinma Yutang Home Stay
Houhu Village
Kinmen Island, Taiwan

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Civil Defense Tunnel

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Attraction

Civil Defense Tunnel Photo - Civil Defense Tunnel, Kinmen, Taiwan

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Three flights below central area of Jincheng, the Civil Defense Tunnel runs underground stretching more that 1250 meters. The free tour offered every couple of hours is nearly a more of a race as the guide moves non stop and times the group at 20 minutes to reach the other end.Although the ceiling is low, about 6 feet in height, and not wide enough for walking two abreast, it is straight forward. Only a few less-than-90 degree turns from the center of town to the high school evacuation point.At the exits was a museum with a scaled model of the city. Current locations of schools and hospitals were overlaid to give a good idea of where the tunnels ran underground in relation t...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 25, 2012

Civil Defense Tunnel
Jincheng Town
Kinmen Island, Taiwan

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Jhaishan Tunnel

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Attraction | "Jainshan Tunnel"

Jainshan Tunnel Photo - Jhaishan Tunnel, Kinmen, Taiwan

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Jainshan Tunnel, located on the tip of the southwest corner of Kinmen Island is really pleasurable. The path leading to the tunnel displays a variety of transport and troop ships along with other military equipment.Upon first entering the tunnel, there is a large display of photographs and articles tell the story of military preparations and usage. For those that understand Chinese, a short black and white video brings history to life.Beyond the displays continue walking along the tunnel to set of stairs where a descent just two flights is worthy of Pirates of the Caribbean comes into view. Large enough for ships, this incredible watery passage branches off into two directio...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 26, 2012

Jhaishan Tunnel

Kinmen Island, Taiwan

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Jinchen Walking Tour

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Jincheng offers a very nice self-guided walking tour that begins at the information center, which is conveniently located next to the bus station and entrance to the Civil Defense Tunnel. Although the map isn't in English, photos with the names of buildings are in English and the walking streets are highlighted making it easy to follow. Also next to the information center is one of many free bicycle rental facilities providing other options for sightseeing.In addition to three beautiful old Buddhist temples still in use, complete with bright lanterns and elaborate dragons climbing the lengths of the eaves, there are several old structures with historic significance.One such e...Read More

Jincheng offers a very nice self-guided walking tour that begins at the information center, which is conveniently located next to the bus station and entrance to the Civil Defense Tunnel. Although the map isn't in English, photos with the names of buildings are in English and the walking streets are highlighted making it easy to follow. Also next to the information center is one of many free bicycle rental facilities providing other options for sightseeing.

In addition to three beautiful old Buddhist temples still in use, complete with bright lanterns and elaborate dragons climbing the lengths of the eaves, there are several old structures with historic significance.

One such example is the former command headquarters of Quemoy not serving as a museum. This single story, modest compound houses a variety of historic items as well as typical home furnishings. Buildings form a square with a huge foyer in the center. Here, large trees with hanging roots provided a peaceful respite in difficult times. Furnishing of bedrooms and living rooms filled some of the rooms while others displayed weapons, uniforms, maps and old photographs.

Completely opposite to this site on the tour is Qui Liang-gung’s Mother’s Chastity Arch, which serves as a memorial to the widow that lived for 28 years without remarrying while her husband served. The wonderful stone arch dates back to 1812.

Yet another highlight is even more unique. Mofan Street appears to be the model of a perfectly design street infusing Japanese style architecture on one side of the street and Fujian style on the others. All the structures are the same height as the one next to it and constructed of evenly colored red brick. Beautifully clean streets and walkways with well-preserved exteriors do appear to be an example of the ideal street.

More unusual features from octagon-shaped buildings to shutter doors and Romanesque columns can be seen along the route. The hour-long trek covers plenty of styles and periods. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 27, 2012

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Whew! A Place to Sleep.

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Kinmen Island, Taiwan Photo - Kinmen, Taiwan

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With map in hand pointing to Chinese characters meaning Wutong Pier to the taxi, I arrived at the ferry dock. Choosing a seat by a window, I realized all were too dirty to see out. A man sat down next to me and began talking in English, clearly knowing that was my native tongue. He was a businessman from Taipei who was taking the ferry from Xiamen to Kinmen in order to get a reasonable flight to Taipei.George was an affable gent I felt comfortable asking questions. I learned the Taiwanese felt as I did regarding Mao, which contradicts the sentiments in China. China is viewed as communist as well, whereas Taiwan is democratic.He told me his driver would take me to my hotel....Read More

With map in hand pointing to Chinese characters meaning Wutong Pier to the taxi, I arrived at the ferry dock. Choosing a seat by a window, I realized all were too dirty to see out. A man sat down next to me and began talking in English, clearly knowing that was my native tongue. He was a businessman from Taipei who was taking the ferry from Xiamen to Kinmen in order to get a reasonable flight to Taipei.

George was an affable gent I felt comfortable asking questions. I learned the Taiwanese felt as I did regarding Mao, which contradicts the sentiments in China. China is viewed as communist as well, whereas Taiwan is democratic.

He told me his driver would take me to my hotel. When I explained I needed to secure one, preferably a home stay, he said he would instruct his driver, who spoke no English. After dropping George off at the airport, I was taken to hotel where Judy informed me that it was a holiday weekend. Hence, banks were closed and exchanging money wouldn't be possible. The rates at the hotel were much higher than I was prepared for anyway. I had told her I had actually wanted a home stay and if the rates were decent I wanted to spend three nights. I also told her I had no local currency. She had me take a seat while she found a place and arranged for me to be picked up and stay three nights and rent a scooter where my Chinese currency was accepted.

She asked what I would eat and I told her I had brought some crackers and soda. She offered me to get a bite from what remained at the buffet breakfast. Although I declined, the offer was incredible thoughtful and I thanked her profusely.

I hopped into the care with a man who spoke no English but motioned with his hand directions each time we made a turn. Twenty minutes later I checked into a traditional Fujian room with no address or room number that I could see. He wrote down the figure for the room and scooter and gave me change in local currency. Holding two fat billfolds he somehow indicated he would exchange money for me if I wanted for which I was grateful.

He walked me over to five motorcycles, all of which were grey except for one red one. He showed me the key, how to turn it on, where the gas tank was, and that it was on empty. Within minutes, map of Kinmen in hand all in Chinese, I headed off trying to recall how to get back to Jincheng. This was the name of the main city, I later learned.

Somehow, the fact that I didn't know the name of the village I was in, the address, the phone number, or the proprietor didn't seem to weigh heavy on my mind. I managed to navigate my way around with the slogan, "thank heaven for 7-11" playing in my head. Not only is this where I bought water and a bowl of noodles for dinner that night, but also where I learned about fueling. As a man rode up on a scooter, I said hello in Chinese, pointed to my gas tank, shrugged my shoulders and motioned in a circle with my arm above my head. He seemed to understand, pointed up the street a block and to turn right. Success! I filled up the tank.

Despite burning daylight due partly to being distracted by an extremely low tide, and a mistake requiring retracing steps, I arrive at my room and sleep very well. The only sound around was my breathing. Read Less

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