Houau Village Introduction
Hou'ao Village, a typical seaside fishing village, has a traditional atmosphere that has soaked in for a hundred years. Located at the easternmost part of Beigan Island, it is named "Hou'ao," meaning "after the bay," as it lies at the far end of Beigan, past Baisha Village. Strolling through Hou'ao Village, one can see the rustic charm of traditional settlements without much modern development. To the northwest of the village, the local residents refer to the bay as "Aoli." The bay, facing the northeast, serves as a common shelter for fishing boats, with the tide receding far enough to expose a large beach area of about 4 to 5 hectares. In the past, traveling from Hou'ao to Tangqi required crossing a long stretch of beach, but today a road connects the two villages, making it more convenient for local residents. However, it remains isolated from the bustling Tangqi Village, separated by the airport runway and Tanghou Beach. The Yang Gong Eight Envoys Temple serves as the local guardian deity. The temple is popular among residents of Hou'ao Village, who hold grand rituals during festivals. Legend has it that the deity Yang Gong Eight Envoys lost their life while trying to eliminate the harmful sea dragon that brought heavy rain. After giving them a proper resting place, they frequently manifest to bless the villagers. To honor them, the temple was built, establishing it as the community's guardian. A must-try specialty of Matsu is "fish noodles," which is one of the best souvenir options. As the name suggests, it is primarily made from fish, ground into fish paste and mixed with tapioca starch and salt before being rolled out. After undergoing baking, refrigeration, and shredding, the natural sunlight enhances the texture, making the fish noodles chewy and filled with local flavor, making it worth a personal tasting.
