Qiaozi Village Introduction
Bridge Village, known for its eight temples that dominate all of Matsu, is a small fishing village located in the valley northward sloping under the shadow of Bieshan Mountain in the northwest of Beigan. The valley, shaped by rainwater erosion, features numerous small bridges, and "仔" in Matsu dialect means "small," hence the name "Bridge Village." Historically, Bridge Village thrived on fishing and salt, serving as a transit port for commercial activities with mainland China, with a population exceeding one thousand at its peak, making it the largest village in Beigan at that time. The houses in Bridge Village retain traditional Min Dong architectural features, and it is recognized as the settlement with the most temples in all of Matsu, earning the nickname "Temple Village." However, after a significant outflow of the population, its glory has diminished, with the current residents being very few, leading to the interesting phenomenon of "more gods than people." Visitors can appreciate the beautiful characteristics of traditional Matsu temples, including red walls, green tiles, and the fiery-looking volcanic walls. In the center of the village, one can observe the unique sight of "the three temples in one." Boating and deer spotting fun can be enjoyed by taking a boat to the pier at Daqiu. To the left of the Bridge Harbor entrance is a simple pier. Bridge Harbor was once a logistics port for supplies to the frontline islands of Gaodeng and Liang during its heyday. Nowadays, during peak tourist season, regular boat services take visitors to Daqiu Island for exploration and to seek out Formosan sika deer, with a boat ride of just 5 minutes. The Fisheries Exhibition Hall embodies the glory of Bridge Village's fishing industry. Despite the decline of Bridge Village, known as "more gods than people," the Fisheries Exhibition Hall offers a glimpse into its prosperous past. The hall showcases traditional fishing methods, fishing boats, fishing gear, and the processing techniques for making dried shrimp, most of which were crafted collaboratively by villagers. Since ancient times, salty preservation was essential for fish catches. In the 8th year of the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, officials established massive "salt tablets" in Beigan Tangqi and Bridge Village to prevent the salt gang from harming fishermen, with one of the tablets currently preserved in the Fisheries Exhibition Hall. Address: No. 109-1, Qiaozi Village, Beigan Township, Lienchiang County Opening hours: 08:30-17:00 Chilled Golden Dumplings, a Matsu-exclusive dessert delicacy. Golden Dumplings are sweet potato dumplings commonly eaten in Matsu. Though small, they are rich in flavor. During summer, they are served with mung bean soup topped with ice, making them both chewy and refreshing. In winter, they are paired with hot red bean soup, providing warmth to visitors, a delicious taste that suits both cold and warm seasons! Trying them is also a great culinary experience.
