Niu Jiao Settlement Introduction
A Simple and Beautiful Fishing Village by the Mountains and Sea Nangan Island in Matsu has a shape resembling a rhinoceros, with the Niugao Settlement located at the northeastern tip of the island, shaped like a rhinoceros horn, which is how it got its name. The Niugao Settlement, built against the mountain wall, was once the largest fishing village in Matsu before the 1960s due to its location at the confluence of the north and south ocean currents, leading to a prosperous fishing industry. The adjacent seas were teeming with fish, and the harbor was often filled with over 200 fishing boats. During its peak, many bungalows for Yaogang Stone seals were established, making it the most populated settlement on the island. However, as fishing resources depleted and administrative units relocated, it gradually declined and was renamed "Fuxing Village" in the 1970s. Since 1998, a group of local visionaries initiated the "Long Stay Niugao" community movement to preserve the settlement and rejuvenate old houses, commencing with the initial vision of "Art, Culture, and New Life." They renovated the old houses, repurposed unused spaces, and organized various cultural activities to revitalize traditional spaces and buildings, reshaping community values. Many of the now-transformed old houses, which became cafés, guesthouses, and restaurants, have turned into pleasant spots for leisure and nostalgia. The Niugao Trail in Niugao Settlement The stone-paved Niugao Trail is located to the left of Niugao Harbor and is an excellent spot to enjoy the stunning views of the harbor and the sea. The trail winds along the coastline and is about 300 meters long, with its entrance located behind the Wuling Temple. There’s a two-story barrack with a camouflage exterior that features an observation platform where, from a height, you might catch a glimpse of Beigan Island!
