Lienchiang

Lienchiang County, better known as the Matsu Islands, is a compact archipelago administered by Taiwan in the Taiwan Strait, near the coast of Fujian in mainland China. Spread across Nangan, Beigan, Dongyin and Juguang, the islands combine a rugged granite coastline, traditional stone-house villages and a distinctive military heritage shaped by decades as a frontline outpost.

The islands' recent history is written in tunnels, fortifications and former military sites. Cold War-era structures such as the Beihai Tunnel on Nangan and the Andong Tunnel on Dongyin were carved into rock by the military and are now open to visitors, while watchtowers and coastal batteries recall the Kinmen-Matsu defence period.

Nangan is the administrative and commercial centre, home to the county government, the Matsu Folklore Culture Museum and the main ferry and air links. Beigan is known for Qinbi Village, a hillside settlement of traditional Min Dong stone houses with distinctive red-tiled roofs, while Dongyin features the white Dongyong Lighthouse on its northern headland and Juguang preserves quieter fishing-village scenery.

Tourism focuses on slow travel, coastal landscapes and seasonal natural spectacles, especially the blue tears: bioluminescent sea sparkle that lights up shorelines on spring and summer nights. Local cuisine draws on the sea and traditional fermentation, with dishes such as fish noodles, red vinasse cooking, old-wine noodle soup and Buddha's hand clams.

For leisure travellers, Matsu offers a low-key, scenic alternative to Taiwan's larger cities, while business and group visitors can use the islands' small meeting venues, ports and connections through Taipei and Taichung. The combination of heritage, island ferries, village stays and rare coastal nature makes Lienchiang County a distinctive destination in the Taiwan Strait.