Jinsha Settlement Introduction
The Shining Golden Garden of Matsu Nangan When it comes to classic stone house architecture, Beigan has Qinbi, while Nangan has Jinsan. The Jinsan settlement is located at the foot of Yuntai Mountain, in the protruding area of Bayao on the southwestern tip of Nangan Island. It is the closest settlement to the largest fishing village in mainland China. Due to its beautiful beaches once covered with fine golden sand, it was named Jinsan, derived later to Jinsan, making it a great place for sunset viewing and beachcombing. Its complete preservation of ancient stone houses has attracted attention. After a century of history, the remaining buildings in Jinsan, although weathered and worn, still retain their rustic beauty. The settlement is divided into four areas: Aozhong, East Mountain, West Mountain, and Xidi. Since the late Qing Dynasty, residents from places like Lienjiang, Changle, and Langqi Island have gradually moved in, making it the village with the most immigrants from Lienjiang County in Matsu. In the past, the fishing industry thrived here, and residents engaged not only in fishing but also in brewing, medicine shops, businesses, and tea houses, once making it the second largest village in Nangan. The village even had a private school at that time, resulting in a flourishing cultural atmosphere. During the war period, the Japanese army stationed troops in the "Yanlu" at West Mountain to control the Min River's shipping lanes, and nearby fishing grounds suffered destruction, forcing residents to migrate elsewhere. In recent years, thanks to efforts by the county government and community development associations, dilapidated old houses have regained vitality, transforming into old taverns and B&Bs, injecting new life into these ancient structures. Walking through the quaint alleys, every turn reveals a new scenic spot, while the century-old banyan trees within the settlement are also a must-see. The splendid cluster of ancient houses on the stone steps of West Mountain, built against the mountainside, forms a picturesque settlement that looks like a hill town from afar. The regeneration and revitalization of idle spaces within the village have made Jinsan a charming town in Matsu. Coastal Camouflage Scenic Spot - Bunker Convenience Store Along the Aokou sea embankment, there is a building with a camouflage exterior, revamped from an old air raid shelter into a restroom, newly named "Bunker Convenience Store," providing a place for tourists playing in the sand and water to clean up. Jinsan's Fine Wine – The Aroma in Every Alley Jinsan Village is famous for its artisanal liquor production. At the entrance of the settlement, there is a row of wine jars neatly arranged on a stone wall, filled with fine liquor brewed from the village's well water. There are also various dishes made with red yeast rice that gourmets should not miss. The Only Black-Faced Matsu in All of Matsu The Tianhou Temple in Jinsan is the faith center for the residents of Jinsan Village and one of the three major Tianhou temples in Nangan. Unlike the maiden Matsu statue at Jinbanjing Tianhou Temple and the fair-faced Matsu statue at Matsu Tianhou Temple, Jinsan enshrines the only "Black-Faced Matsu" in all of Matsu. Legend has it that the Jinsan Tianhou Temple originally housed a fair-faced Matsu statue, but during the temple's reconstruction, the sculptor was visited in a dream by Black-Faced Matsu, prompting the village elders to request the statue of Black-Faced Matsu to be made.
