Jinsha Settlement Introduction
The Shining Golden Flower Garden of Matsu Nangan When it comes to classic stone house architecture, Beigan has Qianbi and Nangan has Jinsha. The Jinsha settlement is located at the foot of Yuntai Mountain, protruding into Wanao on the southwestern side of Nangan Island. It is the closest settlement to the largest fishing village on the mainland, and because of its fine sandy beach that was once filled with golden sand, it was named Jinsha (translated as "Golden Sandy"), later written as Jinsha, making it a great spot for watching sunsets and strolling on the beach. It has gained attention for preserving complete ancient stone houses. After a century of changes, although the buildings that remain in Jinsha show signs of wear, they still retain their rustic beauty. The settlement is divided into four areas: Ao Zhong, East Mountain, West Mountain, and Xidi. Starting from the late Qing Dynasty, residents from Lienjiang, Changle, and Langqi Island gradually moved in, making it the village with the most immigrants from Lienjiang County in Matsu. In the early years, fishing was prosperous, and in addition to fishing, residents also operated businesses such as winemaking, pharmacies, trading houses, and smokehouses, making it the second-largest village in Nangan; at that time, the village even had private schools, leading to a thriving culture. During the war, Japanese troops occupied Yanlu at West Mountain to control the waterway at the mouth of the Min River, and later the nearby fishing grounds were damaged, causing residents to relocate. In recent years, thanks to efforts from the county government and the community development association, the dilapidated old houses have been revitalized and transformed into taverns and bed and breakfasts, injecting new vitality into the old houses. Walking through the quaint alleys, every corner offers a new view, and the hundred-year-old banyan tree in the settlement is also a sight not to be missed. The splendid cluster of ancient houses on the stone steps of West Mountain, built against the mountainside, forms an irregular settlement that resembles a mountain town from a distance. The regeneration and revitalization of the idle spaces in the village have made Jinsha a charming town in Matsu. Coastal Camouflage - The Bunker Convenience Store Beside the Aokou seawall stands a building with a camouflage appearance, transformed from an old air-raid shelter into a restroom, now renamed "Bunker Convenience Store," making it convenient for beachgoers to clean up after playing in the sand and water. Jinsha's Good Wine - The Scent of Wine in Every Alley Jinsha Village is famous for its old wine brewing. At the entrance of the settlement, a row of wine jars is neatly arranged on a stone wall, with fine wine brewed from well water in the village. Various dishes made with red yeast rice should not be missed by food enthusiasts. The Only Black-faced Mazu in Matsu The Jinsha Tianhou Temple is the center of faith for the residents of Jinsha Village and one of the three major Tianhou temples in Nangan. Unlike the young Mazu statue at Jinbanjing Tianhou Temple and the pink-faced Mazu statue at Mazu Tianhou Temple, Jinsha worships the only "Black-faced Mazu" in all of Matsu. According to legend, the Jinsha Tianhou Temple was originally home to the pink-faced Mazu statue, and during the reconstruction of the temple, the sculptor received a dream about the appearance of Mazu with a black face. After consulting with the elders of the village, the black-faced Mazu was sculpted.
