Qinbi Village Introduction
The most beautiful stone house settlement comparable to Mediterranean charm. If you want to see Mediterranean views, you don't need to travel thousands of miles abroad; you can experience the romantic beauty comparable to European stone mountain towns in Beigan, Matsu! Qibi is one of the most complete and representative places for traditional Min Dong architecture in the Matsu archipelago, highly favored by the architecture, culture, and art communities both domestically and internationally. In earlier years, villagers made a living by catching shrimp, but with the decline of the fishing industry in the 1970s, most residents moved away for work. The empty houses left behind due to population migration have been transformed into guesthouses and cultural spaces through planned government renovations, allowing the stone houses to regain their former diverse appearances. As you wander through the winding mountain town, it is not difficult to notice the weathered and faded various characteristic slogans on the houses, as if falling into a time corridor; now, visitors cannot help but smile. The Qibi settlement, built against the mountain wall, faces the sea and is arranged in a terraced manner according to the terrain, with layers that overlap aesthetically. It is mainly divided into the Northern Mountain, Southern Mountain, and Central Road areas. In the late Qing dynasty, it was developed by the Chen family from Changle, Fujian. Most of the houses are made of local granite. One of the most exquisitely crafted residences is the “Pirate House,” built by Chen Zhongping, director of the "Peace Army" Beigan unit during the war. Apart from having high-quality blue and white stone on its façade and walls, it is the only house in Qibi village with a rooftop engraved with stone lions, and its elevated position is quite impressive. Strolling through the alleys of the stone houses, you can see the azure ocean everywhere. Each turn reveals a unique charm, reminiscent of the saying "every turn brings a fresh perspective." It’s worth stopping by a café to gaze at the ocean and islands, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the waves, enjoying the delightful beauty before you. Frog God worship: the armored general protecting Qibi. As you walk along the mountain, besides enjoying the seamless view of sea and sky, you can also experience the unique local religious belief—the traces of the Frog God can be seen everywhere. The Frog God is actually the guardian deity of Qibi village, revered by residents as the armored general. When they immigrated from Min Dong to Matsu, they brought the belief in animal gods with them, and even today, residents still occasionally visit the Tianhou Temple to seek guidance or blessings from the Frog God. Unforgettable flavors while slightly tipsy: have a bowl of hot old wine noodles. In autumn and winter, you cannot miss consuming old wine noodles when visiting Matsu! The old wine broth combined with refreshing noodles, paired with red yeast pork, fried eggs, and ingredients sautéed with sesame oil, offers a simple yet delicate soup base. The enchanting aroma of wine-infused noodles is something you absolutely cannot miss in Qibi.
