Guningtou Settlement Introduction
Guningtou, formerly known as "Gulongtou," is located at the northwest corner of Kinmen. It is composed of three villages: Beishan, Nanshan, and Lincuo, and was the main battlefield of the Guningtou Campaign in 1949. The predominant surname among residents is Li, so one can often see the plaque "Longxi Yanchuan" on the door frames of the houses in the settlement. The "Shuangli Lake Wetland Center" showcases Kinmen's unique ecology, "Shuibei Tower" exhibits a century-old water management history, and "Three-Eyed Well," with its unique shape, serves as a place for residents to connect emotionally. There are also the "Kinmen Peace Memorial Park," "Guningtou Archway," and more, which, aside from the ancient houses, hide many intriguing aspects waiting for travelers to explore. The local warmth and simplicity can only be truly appreciated by visiting in person! Beishan Zhenwei Mansion, a designated county-level historical site, is the former residence of General Li Guangxian from the Qing Jiaqing era. It features a three-part large house and includes fourteen themed exhibitions such as the "General's Pavilion," "Jiao Jia Pavilion," "Shuiyuan Pavilion," "Local History Museum," and "Fishery Museum." Behind the house are three Shi Gantang stone guardians, with "Taishan Shi Gantang" exhibiting the appearance of a stone lion, making it a rare and the largest type of stone guardian in Kinmen, serving as a road warding symbol. The Shuibei Tower, located next to Shuangli Lake Wetland, was built in the 32nd year of the Qianlong reign (1767) and is a designated county historical site. It is constructed from regular square granite, and each of its four sides is engraved with the words "Buddha," "Dharma," "Sangha," and "Treasure." It is said that if the sea water rises above the Shuibei Tower, the rest of Kinmen will suffer from floods. Although this saying is no longer verified, the tower's water management effectiveness is still a fond story among Guningtou residents. The Three-Eyed Well in Nanshan Settlement resembles the character "品" (pin), also known as "Pinzi Well," is an important water resource in Nanshan. Legend has it that this well was constructed during the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty. Despite the passage of time, the spring water remains abundant, providing residents with water for drinking, washing, and irrigation— also a place for emotional connections. In Kinmen, there is a local custom that water drawn from a well should not be poured back into it, as it would offend the Water Deity! So when visiting the Three-Eyed Well, please pay special attention to this. Every spring, a vast field of golden "wheat" can be seen within the settlement, and the nearby sea areas have "stone oyster fields." The sight of oyster farmers "lifting oysters" is a unique aspect of local culture. The "Stone Oyster Cultural Festival," held every April, invites travelers to experience activities such as a thousand-person oyster shucking and oyster field ecological tours, making it very suitable for families and children to enjoy together! *There are many popular attractions around Guningtou Settlement: Guningtou Battle Museum, Beishan Ancient Western-style House, Beishan Broadcasting Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, Shuangli Lake Wetland, etc.
