TW · Kinmen County · 24.44°N 118.33°E
kinmen
Former frontline island of war tunnels, Fujian-style villages and sorghum liquor.
- Best time
- Autumn, from October to December, is the most settled. Spring brings sea fog that often delays flights, and summer is hot.
- How long
- 2–3 days
- Getting there
- Fly from KL to Taipei (about 5 hours), then a domestic flight from Songshan to Kinmen (about an hour). There are also flights from other Taiwanese cities. Ferries link Kinmen with Xiamen, but check they're open to Malaysian passport holders before you plan around them.
kinmen
Dear group chat,— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKinmenTW, Kinmen County
Photo: User:Vmenkov · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: Kechinyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: User:Kleistan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.
A group of islands just off Xiamen in China, governed by Taiwan. For decades it was a military frontline, and the islands are full of tunnels, bunkers and old lookout posts alongside well-kept Fujian-style villages. Plenty of Malaysian Chinese families trace their roots here.
Makan
Things to do
- Zhaishan TunnelA tunnel blasted through granite so boats could shelter under the hill.Map ↗
- Mashan Observation PostA former military post where you can look across the water to China.Map ↗
- Shuitou VillageFujian-style homes and Western-style mansions built by families who made money in Southeast Asia.Map ↗
- Juguang TowerA Chinese-style tower that has become a symbol of the island.Map ↗
- Wind lion godsStone lion statues placed around the villages to guard against the wind. Spotting them is half the fun.Map ↗
Good to know
- Some areas are still military land. Respect no-entry and no-photography signs.
- Spring fog often delays flights, so leave a buffer before your connection home.
- The sights are spread out. Rent a car or scooter, or join a local tour.
Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.