Jinsha Settlement Introduction
The Shining Golden Garden of Nangan, Matsu When it comes to classic stone house groups, Nankan has Jinsha and Beikang has Qinshi. The Jinsha settlement is located at the foot of Yuntai Mountain, on the protruding bay of the southwest part of Nangan Island, making it the closest settlement to the largest fishing village in mainland China. Named Jinsha because the bay was originally filled with fine sand resembling gold dust, it was later written as Jinsha. It is a great place for watching sunsets and walking on the beach, renowned for its well-preserved ancient stone houses. After a century of glory, today’s Jinsha, although its buildings have weathered the years, still retains a rustic beauty. The settlement is divided into four areas: Aozhong, East Mountain, West Mountain, and Creek Bottom. Starting from the late Qing Dynasty, residents from places like Lienchiang, Changle, and Lángqí Island gradually migrated here, making it the village with the most immigrants from Lienchiang County in Matsu. In its early years, the fishing industry was thriving, and residents engaged not only in fishing but also in brewing, medicine, commerce, and tobacco shops, making it the second-largest village in Nangan. During that time, there was a private school in the village, leading to a flourishing cultural atmosphere. During the war, the Japanese army stationed forces at "Yanlu" in West Mountain to control the shipping routes of the Min River, and following the destruction of nearby fishing grounds, many residents migrated away. In recent years, with the efforts of the county government and the community development association, the dilapidated old houses have regained vitality, transforming into old taverns and guesthouses, breathing new life into the ancient buildings. Walking through the quaint alleys, every corner reveals a new scene, and the century-old banyan trees within the settlement are also sights not to be missed. The magnificent cluster of ancient houses on the stone steps of West Mountain, built against the mountain walls, forms a picturesque settlement that, when viewed from afar, resembles a mountain city. The regeneration and revitalization of idle spaces in the village have made Jinsha a charming little town in Matsu. Seaside Camouflage Scenery - Bunker Convenience Store Beside the Aokou seawall stands a building with a camouflage appearance, which has been transformed from an old air raid shelter into a restroom, newly named "Bunker Convenience Store," providing a cleaning facility for tourists playing in the sand and water. Jinsha Good Wine - The Aroma of Wine in Every Alley Jinsha Village is famous for producing traditional liquor, with a row of wine jars neatly arranged on the stone wall at the entrance of the village. The good wine brewed from the village's well water, along with various dishes made with red yeast rice, is a must-try for foodies. The Only Black-Faced Mazu in All of Matsu The Tianhou Temple of Jinsha is the faith center for the residents of Jinsha Village and is one of the three major Tianhou temples in Nangan. Unlike the youthful Mazu statue at Jintan Jingtian Temple and the pink-faced Mazu statue at Mazu Jingtian Temple, Jinsha enshrines the only "Black-Faced Mazu" in all of Matsu. Legend has it that the Tianhou Temple of Jinsha was originally a pink-faced Mazu statue; during the temple's reconstruction, the sculptor received a dream from the Mazu depicting herself as black-faced, leading to the village elders commissioning the creation of the Black-Faced Mazu.
