Taiwu Mountain Scenic Area Introduction
Taiwu Mountain is located in the central part of Kinmen Island. Although its elevation is only 253 meters, it is the highest mountain in Kinmen. Taiwu Mountain is an important memorial site of the 823 Artillery Battle. Besides providing a place for hiking and scenic views, the mountain is rich in cultural landmarks, such as the "Never Forget in Ju" and Haiyin Temple, both of which are characteristic attractions of Kinmen. There are four routes to ascend Taiwu Mountain: the Front Mountain, the Back Mountain, the Caicuo Old Trail, and the Doumen Old Trail. The Front Mountain refers to the intersection of Yuzhang Road north of the Taiwu Mountain Cemetery, while the Back Mountain is at the end of Yuzhang Road beside the Pingdong Wenkang Center. Most people hike up from the flat and easy-access Front Mountain Yuzhang intersection, while the Doumen and Caicuo Old Trails have steeper gradients, offering a more challenging experience. The round trip to Taiwu Mountain takes about 2 hours, but considering the historical sites and scenery along the way, it is recommended to plan for half a day. The Twelve Wonders of Taiwu Mountain refers to the Zhan Yue Pond, Crab Eye Spring, Sleeping Cloud Stone, Cross Ao Stone, Reflection Tower, Jade Table, Ancient Stone Chamber, Shimen Pass, Qianzhang Wall, Yilan Pavilion, Yanjian Pine, and Biyun Ladder. During the Ming Dynasty, Kinmen flourished in literature and arts, and with the poetic contributions of scholars, it became a tradition for literati to climb Taiwu Mountain when visiting Kinmen, making the Twelve Wonders of Taiwu Mountain well-known. The Yanying Prince's Military Observation and Chess-playing Place is the best viewpoint on Kinmen Island.
