Qingfan Harbor Introduction
Qingfan Port, located on the southern coast of Xiju Island, is an important gateway for entering and exiting Xiju and serves as the administrative center of Juguang Township. Originally named "Qingfan," it is said to have been named due to the presence of foreign residents. Qingfan Village, situated on the hillside, offers great views overlooking the vast sea, with white buildings against the backdrop of a blue sky, exuding a Mediterranean charm. Covering an area of approximately 134 hectares, Qingfan Village is a commercial district, settlement, and port, making it the liveliest village on Xiju Island. During the late Qing Dynasty, it was the only place in Matsu to be designated as a "town." Ships had to wait for the tide and resupply at Qingfan Harbor before entering the Min River, leading to a bustling trade known as "Little Hong Kong." At its peak, it included Qingdongli and Qingxili, and it remains the most lively market in Juguang, with vendors, markets, dining, and government institutions concentrated here. Walking through the village amidst the houses, stone walls, and slogans on the steps gives a feeling of returning to the past. The old houses seem to shrink amidst new constructions, while the fishing huts are tightly locked away, and the once-prosperous memories of fishing slowly fade. The national emblem over the door of the old houses sighs of changing times. The Chaotian Temple of Qingfan is located above the old street, and the majestic Admiral Chen Temple near the port serves as a center of faith for both the village and the entire island, bustling with incense offerings. In the late 1920s, the pro-Japanese puppet "Second Army of the Peaceful Salvation of the Nation" was based here. By the late 1930s, the East China Army moved in, with their command located at "Shanhai Yijia." In the early 1940s, during the Korean War, the U.S. CIA operated under the name "Western Company" to gather intelligence at Qingfan Mountain, and thus the American flag—Stars and Stripes—flew in Qingfan Village for a time, contributing to the rich cultural history of Qingfan Port, which tells local stories. The Majestic Admiral Chen Temple, the center of faith in Qingfan Village, is dedicated to Admiral Chen, whose real name is Chen Tangming. Known for his sense of justice, he is referred to as "Brother Chen." After passing away, his body was said to drift to Qingfan Port, and it remained for three days and nights without departing. The ancestors made a vow that if they returned from the sea filled with fish, they would properly bury him. Miraculously, this promise was fulfilled, leading to even more curiosity among the people. They vowed again that if they caught a headless yellow croaker, they would establish a temple in his honor, and the next day, this too came true, leading to the temple's establishment and continued reverence to this day.
