Come on, let’s travel to Taiwan’s island, Matsu

The Taiwanese are no strangers to the island of Matsu, but not many have actually set foot there. What’s interesting is that when you go to see for yourself, you find a place unlike anywhere in Taiwan proper. It’s like being in another country, but one that is comfortably familiar, where impressions of the present merge with memories of the past. Visiting Matsu, you seem to step into a realm already half known through your dreams, on a journey of learning and experience.

“Matsu’s only a small place, but it has a complex web of natural, historical and cultural characteristics, and shows a variety of distinct faces.” So we were informed by national legislator Tsao Erh-chung before setting out on our trip. By the end, we knew how right Tsao was: Matsu is mesmerisingly lovely.

The five principle islands that make up Matsu are spread well apart, but their scenery is very similar. The coastal terrain is rugged and rocky, with spurs of eroded granite jutting into the sea. It takes only around an hour to drive around the main island, passing a succession of inlets, each of which looks different in the light according to the angle of sun. One moment you’re following the curve of the hills, amid the glow reflected from the sea, and the next you’re in a misty, secluded cove. The scenery along the coast is a feast for the eyes.

Peihai Tunnel in Nankan Rural Township

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