Matsu Beigan Airport

Remote island fortress where Taiwan's military history meets wild beauty.

Beigan is the administrative center of Matsu's Beigan Township, a rugged archipelago of islands in the Taiwan Strait closer to China's Fujian coast than to Taiwan proper. The island retains a strong Fujianese cultural identity, evidenced in its traditional stone villages, seafood cuisine, and folk religion centered on Mazu, the sea goddess.

Once a heavily fortified military outpost, Beigan is now a slow-travel destination prized for dramatic granite coastlines, clear turquoise waters, and remarkably preserved Cold War–era tunnels and bunkers. Tourism here is intimate and unhurried, with most attractions reachable on a single day of exploration.

• •Qinbi Village — a photogenic cluster of traditional Fujianese stone houses clinging to the hillside above a blue bay.
• •Beihai Tunnel — a dramatic hand-carved wartime tunnel large enough for military boats, illuminated and open to visitors.
• •Tangqi Beach — one of the island's most pristine sandy beaches with clear, shallow waters ideal for swimming.
• •Bi Mountain Scenic Area — coastal granite bluffs with sweeping views of surrounding islets and the strait.
• •Mazu Temple (Beigan) — a richly decorated temple central to the island's deep Mazu worship traditions.
• •Shengtian Tunnel — a lesser-visited military tunnel offering an atmospheric glimpse into Cold War island defense.

Getting around: Beigan has no rail system; the island is small enough to tour by scooter, which can be rented near the ferry pier or airport. Taxis are available in limited numbers and best arranged through guesthouses. There is a minimal local bus service, but renting a scooter or bicycle is the most practical and popular way to explore at your own pace.

Best time: Late spring through early summer (April to June) offers the mildest weather, clearest skies, and the best chance of witnessing the rare and spectacular blue-eye jellyfish phenomenon in surrounding waters.

Local food: Don't miss老酒麵線 (Lao Jiu Mian Xian), rice wine noodles considered the island's signature comfort dish, along with fresh oysters, fish roe, and locally brewed Kaoliang sorghum liquor.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.