Chihli Village Introduction
The most beautiful stone house settlement comparable to Mediterranean charm. If you want to see Mediterranean beauty, you don’t have to travel thousands of miles abroad; you can come to Matsu’s Beigan and experience the romantic charm of European stone hill towns! Qinbi is one of the best-preserved and most representative places of traditional Minnan architecture in the Matsu archipelago, favored by the architecture, culture, and art communities both domestically and internationally. In the past, villagers made a living by shrimp-catching; however, with the decline of the fishing industry in the 1970s, most residents moved away for livelihoods. The empty houses left behind due to population migration have been transformed into homestays and cultural spaces under government-led renovations, restoring the diverse appearance of the stone houses. As you wander through the winding hill town, it’s easy to notice the various mottled and faded slogans on the houses, as if stepping into a time corridor, prompting smiles from visitors. The Qinbi settlement is built against a hillside, facing the sea, and arranged in a terraced manner along the mountain’s slope. It is primarily divided into northern, southern, and central areas. During the late Qing dynasty, it was developed by the Chen family from Changle, Fujian. Most houses are built of local granite, with the most elaborately constructed residence being the "Pirate House," built by Chen Chongping, the director of the "Peace Army" at Beigan during the war. In addition to the high-quality blue and white stone used for the front wall, it is also the only house in Qinbi with a roof carved with stone lions, making it quite impressive given its elevated position. Strolling through the alleys of stone houses, you can see the azure ocean everywhere. Every turn brings a refreshing sense of discovery, so consider choosing a café to gaze at the sea and islands, enjoying the delightful beauty accompanied by the sound of waves. Frog God Belief - The Armored Marshal Protecting Qinbi. As you walk along the hillside, besides appreciating the breathtaking scenery of the sea and sky, you can also experience the unique local religious belief—traces of the Frog God can be seen everywhere. The Frog God is actually the guardian deity of Qinbi village, revered by residents as the Armored Marshal. When moving from Eastern Fujian to Matsu years ago, they also brought their animal worship practices with them, and even today, residents still occasionally visit the Tianhou Temple to seek guidance or blessings from the Frog God. Memorable flavors that leave you slightly tipsy - try a bowl of hot old wine noodles. In the autumn and winter, you cannot miss old wine noodles when visiting Matsu! The broth combines the refreshing noodles with red yeast pork, fried eggs, and sesame oil-cooked ingredients. The simple yet delicate broth makes this aromatic noodle dish unforgettable, and it’s a must-try when in Qinbi.
