Hugging the north-west coast of Kinmen Island, Jinning Township lies just a stone’s throw across the water from mainland China. It provided the setting for the Battle of Guningtou, which is commemorated at a local military museum, and the township is dotted with tanks and remnants from its tumultuous past.
Things to do in Jinning Township
One of Jinning Township’s most fascinating landmarks is the Beishan Broadcasting Wall, which was built in 1967 to direct Taiwanese songs and speeches towards mainland China. Rising to the height of a three-storey building, it comprises 48 speakers that face the strait separating Kinmen Island from Fujian. Also nearby is the Beishan Old Western-style House, a 1920s residence that was occupied by the People’s Liberation Army during the Battle of Guningtou.
To learn more about this historic conflict, pay a visit to the Guningtou Battle Museum, which is fronted by three bronze statues of soldiers. Hear how Kinmen was fought over during the Chinese Civil War, which pitted the National Revolutionary Army against the People’s Liberation Army. In addition to exhibiting tanks and military weapons that were used in the battle, the museum houses original photos and paintings.
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the walking trail that hugs Ci Lake, which was established in 1969 and is now largely used for fish farming. From the Cihu Luo Ri Guan Hai Platform, you can see the remains of a defensive military installation (including several military tanks) and enjoy sweeping views towards the bridge linking Kinmen and Lieyu islands.
Getting around Jinning Township
Kinmen Airport is located in the south-east corner of Jinning Township and has flights to destinations across Taiwan. Buses travel throughout the township while renting a car gives you greater freedom to explore the region.