Qiaozai Settlement Introduction
Former commercial port with eight temples renowned throughout Matsu. Qiaozi Fishing Village, located in a small settlement on the northwest side of Beigan, lies within a valley sloping north under the shade of Bieshan Mountain. The valley has been shaped by rainwater erosion, creating a network of gullies, with small bridges found throughout the village. In the Matsu dialect, "zi" means "small," thus it is named "Qiaozi." Historically, Qiaozi thrived on fishing and salt, serving as a transshipment port for trade with the mainland. During the peak of merchant activity, its population exceeded a thousand, making it the largest village in Beigan at the time. The houses in Qiaozi also retain traditional Minnan architectural features, and it is known as the settlement with the most temples in all of Matsu, earning it the nickname "Temple Village." However, following a significant outmigration, the village has lost its former glory. Today, the resident population is minimal, leading to the interesting phenomenon of "more gods than people." Visitors can appreciate the beautiful characteristics of traditional Matsu temples, with red walls and green tiles, as well as the fiery-looking fenghuoshan walls. At the center of the village, one can witness the unique "three temples in one" scenery. Strolling by boat to explore deer-boarding. There is a small pier on the left side of Qiaozi Aokou that allows boats to dock for trips to Daqiu Island. Qiaozi Port used to be the supply port for the more "frontline" islands of Gaodeng and Liang, but today, during peak tourist seasons, there are regular boat services that take visitors to Daqiu Island to seek out the beautiful scenery and explore the Formosan sika deer, with a journey time of only 5 minutes. Fishing Industry Exhibition Hall carrying the glory of Qiaozi's fishing. Although the once-thriving Qiaozi Village in Beigan, where "gods outnumber people," has seen a decline, the Qiaozi Fishing Industry Exhibition Hall still provides a glimpse into its glory days. The hall exhibits traditional fishing methods, fishing boats, and fishing gear, as well as the processing methods for shrimp paste, with many traditional fishing tools made cooperatively by villagers. Historically, fish catches needed salt for preservation. In the eighth year of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty, officials set up two giant "salt monuments" in Beigan Tangqi and Qiaozi to prevent salt merchants from harming fishermen; one of these monuments is currently preserved in the Qiaozi Fishing Industry Exhibition Hall. Address: No. 109-1, Qiaozi Village, Beigan Township, Lienchiang County. Opening hours: 08:30-17:00. Chilled Golden Dumplings - Matsu's exclusive dessert. Golden dumplings are sweet potato dumplings commonly eaten by the people of Matsu. Small in size but rich in texture, they are served with green bean soup and ice in the summer, making them both chewy and refreshing. In the winter, they are paired with warm red bean soup to warm the heart of tourists. This delicious treat, suitable for both cold and hot seasons, is a delightful culinary experience to try.
