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. The main battlefield of the Guningtou Campaign in 1949 took place here, and the major surname of the residents is Li, which is why you can see the "Longxi Yanpai" family name on many doorframes of the houses. The "Shuangli Lake Wetland Center" showcases Kinmen's unique ecology, the "Shuiwei Tower" exhibits over a century of water management history, and the "Three Eye Well," which has a unique shape, serves as a place for residents to connect with one another. There is also the "Kinmen Peace Memorial Park," the "Guningtou Archway," and more. Beyond the ancient houses, the Guningtou settlement is rich in stories and local charm, which can only be appreciated by visiting in person. Beishan Zhenwei Residence, designated as a county monument, is the former residence of Li Guangxian, a governor during the Qing Jiaqing period. Its exterior features three sections, and the interior is planned with fourteen themed halls including the "Governor Hall," "Jiao Jia Hall," "Water Source Hall," "Local History Museum," and "Fishery Science Hall." Behind the house, there are three stone gods, of which the "Taishan Stone God" has the appearance of a stone lion and is a rare sight in Kinmen, being the largest one. Its purpose is to ward off evil and protect the road. The Shuiwei Tower, located beside the Shuangli Lake Wetland, was built in the 32nd year of Qianlong (1767) and is designated as a county monument. It is constructed of regular square-shaped granite, with the four sides of the tower engraved with the words "Buddha," "Dharma," "Sangha," and "Treasure." It was said in ancient times that if the sea water rose above the Shuiwei Tower, other areas of Kinmen would likely be inundated with floodwaters. Although this legend is no longer verifiable, the tower’s contribution to water management is still a well-discussed story among the residents of Guningtou. The Three Eye Well in the Nanshan settlement resembles the Chinese character "品" and is also known as the "Pinzi Well." It is an important water source within the Nanshan settlement, and it is said to have been built during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. Even after many years, the spring water from the well remains abundant, providing water for residents to fetch, wash clothes, and irrigate, as well as serving as a place for social connections. According to local customs in Kinmen, water taken from the well should not be poured back as it would anger the well spirit, so when visiting the Three Eye Well, be sure to pay attention to this. Every spring, a vast golden "wheat field" can be seen around the settlement, along with nearby "oyster fields," where the scene of oyster farmers "lifting oysters" represents a unique aspect of the local culture. The "Stone Oyster Cultural Season," held every April, invites travelers to experience activities like oyster shucking with a thousand participants and ecological tours of the oyster fields, making it a great outing for families! *There are many popular attractions around the Guningtou settlement, including the Guningtou Battle Museum, Beishan Ancient Western-style House, Beishan Broadcast Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, Shuangli Lake Wetland, and more.
