Qinbi Village Introduction
A Beautiful Stone House Settlement Comparable to Mediterranean Scenery If you want to see Mediterranean beauty without traveling thousands of miles abroad, you can visit Beigan in Matsu, where you can experience the romantic charm of European stone mountain towns! Qinbi is one of the best-preserved and most representative places showcasing traditional Eastern Fujian architecture in the Matsu archipelago, highly favored by the domestic and international architectural, cultural, and artistic communities. In the past, villagers relied on shrimp catching for their livelihood, but by the 1970s, with the decline of the fishing industry, most residents moved away for work. The vacant houses left behind due to population outmigration have been transformed into homestays and cultural spaces under government renovation programs. This revival has restored the diverse character of the stone houses, and while wandering through the winding mountain town, one cannot help but notice the weathered and faded slogans adorning the houses, as if stepping into a time corridor, prompting smiles from visiting tourists. The Qinbi settlement is built against the mountain, facing the sea, with houses arranged in a terraced manner that follows the mountain contours, creating a harmonious layered effect. It is primarily divided into three areas: the northern mountain, the southern mountain, and the central road. Developed by the Chen family from Changle, Fujian during the late Qing Dynasty, the houses are mainly constructed from local granite. The most intricately built house is the "Pirate House," constructed by Chen Zhongping, the head of the Beigan unit of the "Peaceful Rescue Army" during wartime. In addition to the facade walls made of high-quality blue and white stone, it is the only house in Qinbi with a rooftop carved with stone lions, further enhanced by its commanding elevation that adds to its grandeur. Strolling through the alleys of the stone houses, stunning views of the azure ocean can be seen everywhere. Every turn brings a sense of discovery, and it's worth stopping by a café to gaze at the ocean and islands, accompanied by the soothing sound of waves, enjoying the delightful beauty in front of you. Frog God Belief: The Armored Marshal Protecting Qinbi As you walk along the mountain paths, in addition to enjoying the seamless 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 the residents as the Armored Marshal. When the people from Eastern Fujian migrated to Matsu long ago, they brought this animal worship with them, and even today, residents occasionally visit the Tianhou Temple to seek guidance or blessings from the Frog God. Unforgettable Tastes of Slight Intoxication: A Bowl of Hot Rice Noodles with Old Wine In autumn and winter, when visiting Matsu, you cannot miss the old wine rice noodles! The broth combines the refreshing noodles with red yeast pork, fried eggs, and ingredients sautéed in sesame oil. Despite the simple ingredients, the delicately flavored broth creates an intoxicatingly delicious rice noodle dish that must not be missed in Qinbi.
