Guningtou Settlement Introduction
Guningtou, formerly known as "Gulongtou," is located at the northwest tip of Kinmen and consists of three villages: Beishan, Nanshan, and Lincuo. It was the main battlefield of the Guningtou Campaign in 1949. The predominant surname among residents is Li, so the doors of local houses often bear the "Longxi Yanpai" family name. The "Shuangli Lake Wetland Center" showcases the unique ecology of Kinmen, the "Shuiping Tower" highlights a century-old water-related history, and the "Three-Eyed Well" has a unique shape and serves as a place for residents to bond. There are also the "Kinmen Peace Memorial Park," "Guningtou Archway," and more. In addition to traditional houses, the 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 House, recognized as a county-designated historic site, is the former residence of Li Guangxian, a governor during the Qing Jiaqing period. It features a three-compartment layout and includes 14 themed halls such as the "Governor's Hall," "Jiao Jia Hall," "Water Source Hall," "Local History Hall," and "Fisheries Hall." Behind the house are three Stone Gan-Dang, among which the "Taishan Stone Gan-Dang," carved in the form of a stone lion, is a rare and the largest of its kind in Kinmen, intended to ward off evil spirits. The Beishan Shuiping Tower, located next to Shuangli Lake Wetland, was built in the 32nd year of the Qianlong reign (1767) and is a county-designated historic site. It is constructed with square granite and has the words "Buddha," "Dharma," "Sangha," and "Treasure" carved on its four sides. Legend has it that if seawater overflows the Shuiping Tower, other areas in Kinmen will suffer from floods. Although this saying cannot be verified, the tower's role in flood control remains a well-known story among the residents of Guningtou. The "Three-Eyed Well" in Nanshan settlement, shaped like the character "品," is an important water resource for the area. According to legend, this well was built during the Kangxi period of the Qing dynasty, and despite the passage of years, the well continues to provide ample spring water for residents to fetch, wash, and irrigate, serving also as a place for community bonding. In Kinmen's customs, water drawn from the well should not be returned to it, as doing so would anger the well deity! So when visiting the Three-Eyed Well, make sure to pay special attention to this tradition. During springtime, a vast golden "wheat field" can be seen around the settlement, with "stone oyster fields" in nearby waters. The sight of oyster farmers "holding oysters" is a unique cultural aspect of the area. The annual "Stone Oyster Cultural Festival" held in April invites visitors to participate in activities such as oyster opening and ecological tours of the oyster fields, making it a great outing for families with children! *There are many popular attractions around the Guningtou settlement, including the Guningtou War Museum, Beishan Ancient Western Building, Beishan Broadcasting Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, and Shuangli Lake Wetland, among others.
