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 Battle in 1949. The residents primarily have the surname Li, so it is common to see the "Longxi Yanpai" family name on the doorframes of the local houses. The "Shuangli Lake Wetland Center" showcases Kinmen's unique ecology, the "Shuiai Tower" highlights a century-old water conservation history, and the "Three-Eye Well," with its unique shape, serves as a place for residents to connect emotionally. Other attractions include the "Kinmen Peace Memorial Park," the "Guningtou Archway," and more. In addition to the traditional houses, Guningtou village holds many exciting elements waiting for travelers to explore, and the genuine local hospitality can only be fully appreciated through personal visit. The Beishan Zhenwei Hall is designated as a county historic site and is the former residence of the governor Li Guangxuan from the Qing dynasty’s Jiaqing era. It features a three-section layout and houses fourteen themed halls including the "Governor Hall," "Jiao Jia Hall," "Water Source Hall," "Local History Hall," and "Fishery Science Hall." There are also three stone guardians behind the hall, with the "Taishan Stone Guardian" being the largest and the only one with a stone lion appearance, making it a rare and significant site in Kinmen. The Shuiai Tower, located next to the Shuangli Lake Wetland, was built in the 32nd year of the Qianlong era (1767) and is a designated county historic site. It is constructed from square granite and features inscriptions on its four sides that read "Buddha," "Dharma," "Sangha," and "Treasure." According to legend, whenever the sea water rose above the Shuiai Tower, other areas of Kinmen would experience flooding, although this could not be verified today. Nevertheless, the story of Shuiai Tower's water management remains popular among the residents of Guningtou. The "Three-Eye Well," which resembles the Chinese character "品," is an important water resource in the Nanshan village. It is said to have been built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty, and despite the years, the spring water remains plentiful, providing water for residents to draw, wash clothes, and irrigate, as well as to foster community bonds. According to local customs, water drawn from the well should not be poured back, as it may anger the well spirit. Visitors are reminded to be mindful of this when visiting the Three-Eye Well. During spring, the village is adorned with vast fields of golden "wheat," and the nearby sea has "stone oyster fields," where the scene of oyster farmers "lifting oysters" is a unique cultural aspect of the area. The "Stone Oyster Cultural Festival," held every April, invites visitors to experience activities like mass oyster opening and oyster field ecological tours, making it an ideal event for families with children. *There are many popular attractions near Guningtou Village: Guningtou Battle Museum, Beishan Guyang Building, Beishan Broadcasting Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, Shuangli Lake Wetland, etc.