Jinsha Settlement Introduction
**Shimmering Golden Light in Matsu's Nangan Backyard Garden** When it comes to classic stone house architecture, Beigan has Qianbi, while Nangan features Jinshe. The Jinshe settlement is located at the foot of Yuntai Mountain, protruding into the bay on the southwest side of Nangan Island. It is the closest settlement to the largest fishing village in mainland China. The name "Jinshe" (meaning "Golden Sand") originates from the finely textured sandy beaches once abundant at the harbor, later adapted from "Jinsha" to "Jinshe." This area is a great place for enjoying sunsets and strolling on the beach, attracting attention due to its well-preserved ancient stone houses. Having undergone a century of change, the remaining buildings in Jinshe, though weathered and timeworn, still retain a rustic charm. The settlement is divided into four areas: Ao Zhong, East Mountain, West Mountain, and Xidong. Beginning in the late Qing Dynasty, residents from Lianjiang, Changle, and Langqi Island began to migrate here, making Jinshe the village with the highest number of immigrants from Lianjiang County on the mainland. In earlier years, when fishing was prosperous, residents not only engaged in fishing at sea but also operated businesses such as brewing, herbal medicine shops, and tobacco houses, which made it the second-largest village in Nangan; there had been a private school in the village, leading to a thriving intellectual atmosphere. During wartime, Japanese troops, aiming to control the river access of the Min River, stationed forces at "Yanlu" on West Mountain, and following damage to nearby fishing grounds, residents began to migrate elsewhere. In recent years, with the efforts of the county government and community development associations, the derelict old houses have been revitalized into taverns and guesthouses, infusing new life into these old buildings. Walking through the quaint alleys, every turn reveals a new scenery, and the century-old banyan tree within the village is a sight not to be missed. The stunning clusters of ancient houses on the stone steps of West Mountain, built against the mountain wall, create a beautifully arranged settlement; viewed from a distance, it resembles a mountain city. The regeneration and revitalization of the idle spaces in the village have turned Jinshe into an alluring small town in Matsu. **Seaside Camouflage View - Bunker Convenience Store** Next to the Aokou Coastal Embankment stands a building with a camouflage exterior, transformed from a former air raid shelter into a restroom, now dubbed the “Bunker Convenience Store,” providing a place for sandy and water-play visitors to clean up. **Jinshe's Distinctive Wine - The Aroma in the Alleys** Jinshe Village is famous for its brewed traditional wine, with an orderly row of wine jars displayed on the stone wall at the village entrance. The fine wine brewed from the village's well water and various dishes incorporating red yeast rice are culinary delights that no food lover should miss. **The Only Black-faced Matsu in All of Matsu** The Tianhou Temple in Jinshe is the center of faith for the residents of Jinshe Village and one of the three major Tianhou temples in Nangan. Unlike the young-faced Matsu of the Jinbanjing Tianhou Temple and the pink-faced Matsu of the Matsu Tianhou Temple, Jinshe enshrines the only "Black-faced Matsu" in all of Matsu. According to legend, the Tianhou Temple was originally dedicated to a pink-faced Matsu statue, which, during the temple's reconstruction, the sculptor was inspired by a dream where Matsu appeared with a black face; after consulting the village elders, the Black-faced Matsu was sculpted.
