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 predominant surname of the residents is Li, and thus, the entrance of many houses in the settlement displays the "Longxi Yanpai" family name. The "Shuangli Lake Wetland Center" showcases Kinmen's unique ecology, the "Shuiwei Tower" represents a century-old water history, the "Three-Eyed Well" has a special shape and serves as a place for residents to connect, in addition to the "Kinmen Peace Memorial Park" and the "Guningtou Archway," among other attractions. Apart from the ancient buildings, Guningtou settlement is rich in exciting experiences waiting for travelers to explore, and the genuine local hospitality can only be truly appreciated by visiting in person! The Beishan Zhenwei Mansion is a county-designated historic site, the former residence of Governor Li Guangxuan from the Qing Jiaqing period. It features a three-section large house with fourteen thematic halls, including the "Governor's Hall," "Jiaojia Hall," "Water Source Hall," "Local History Hall," and "Fisheries Hall." Behind the house are three Stone Guardians, among which the "Taishan Stone Guardian" is uniquely shaped like a stone lion and is the largest of its kind within Kinmen, serving to ward off evil. The Shuiwei Tower, located next to Shuangli Lake Wetland, was built in the 32nd year of the Qing Qianlong period (1767) and is a county-designated historic site. It is built from square-shaped granite and is inscribed on all four sides with the characters "Buddha," "Dharma," "Sangha," and "Treasure." According to ancient folklore, whenever the seawater submerged the Shuiwei Tower, other areas of Kinmen would also experience flooding. Even though this saying might no longer hold, the tower's historical significance in water management is still a well-discussed story among Guningtou residents. The Three-Eyed Well, which resembles the character "品," is an important water source for the Nanshan settlement. Legend has it that this well was built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. Despite the passing of many years, the spring water remains abundant, providing water for residents’ needs, such as drawing water, washing clothes, and irrigation, while also serving as a place for connection among people. In Kinmen's customs, water drawn from the well must not be returned, or it would offend the well spirit! So, when visiting the Three-Eyed Well, please be particularly mindful of this custom. Every spring, the settlement is filled with a vast expanse of golden "wheat fields," and the nearby ocean areas have "stone oyster fields," where oyster farmers can be seen "lifting oysters," highlighting a unique cultural aspect of the area. The "Stone Oyster Cultural Festival," held every April, invites travelers to experience activities like oyster shucking and ecological tours of the oyster fields, making it a great event for families! *There are many popular attractions around the Guningtou settlement: Guningtou Battle Museum, Beishan Ancient洋樓, Beishan Broadcasting Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, Shuangli Lake Wetland, among others.
