Fushan Zhaobi - Waiting for Dawn Introduction
As the Taiwan-Matsu ferry arrives at Fu'ao Harbor in Matsu, the four prominent red characters - "Rest on Arms, Await Dawn" - immediately catch the eye, standing majestically on Fuzhqing Ridge in Nangan. This site is currently one of the most renowned symbolic landmarks of entering and exiting Matsu, sharing the honor with the "Do Not Forget the Past" monument on Mount Taiwu in Kinmen. Below "Rest on Arms, Await Dawn" is the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Park, where the white steps resemble a white dragon winding around a giant rock, making it very eye-catching. The Fushan Zhaobi is located in the "Rest on Arms, Await Dawn Memorial Park" on the hillside southwest of Fu'ao Village. It is a rectangular building with two underground levels and five above ground, with the four characters "Rest on Arms, Await Dawn" written on top. These characters were personally inscribed by former President Chiang Kai-shek during his inspection of defense in Matsu in July 1958, to encourage the people and military of Matsu not to forget their aspirations for national restoration. It was then enlarged from the original inscriptions and constructed. However, it is said that back then, it took considerable effort to hang the four characters on the towering archway, as they had to project the characters from the mountain bottom at night before starting the actual work. In its early years, the Rest on Arms, Await Dawn Memorial Park served as an exhibition hall displaying the daily life of the military and civilians in Matsu. After being unused for a while, local artist Cao Kaizhi redesigned it into a cultural and artistic performance space. The park features an observation deck for visitors to climb up and enjoy the panoramic view of Fu'ao Harbor, with an ocean and sky blending beautifully, offering a unique charm.
