Shamei Old Street (Shamei Morocco) Introduction
Sha Mei Morocco is a dilapidated house located on Sha Mei Old Street. Stepping into the sand-colored building feels like being in the deserts of the Middle East, and many visitors say it resembles the country of Morocco, full of mysterious exotic charm. Every angle offers great photo opportunities, making it a must-visit spot for young people! Sha Mei Old Street is one of the earliest formed streets in Kinmen, formerly known as Bagua Street. It was once the liveliest place in Kinmen, a hub for stationed military personnel to purchase daily necessities and watch movies. Today, visitors can still enjoy traditional snacks and experience the area’s historical appearance. Compared to Houpou or Shanwai areas, Sha Mei has preserved more authentic traditions and daily life, with many places on the old street remaining unchanged for thirty years. Visiting here feels like traveling back in time, with weathered facades, tiled signs, and many beloved foods, such as crispy shaobing and the military’s favorite snack – wontons with extra fillings, along with traditional cakes made using ancient methods, enticing food lovers to repeatedly visit Sha Mei Old Street. Wu Qi created three murals titled "Dream Back to Golden Sands," "Strolling Golden Ears," and "Reconstructed Vessel." The main figure is a dream beast transformed from the concept of the Wind Lion God, symbolizing its guardianship over Kinmen. The hourglass represents the accumulation of history and culture that has nurtured this golden land, while the caterpillar symbolizes young people striving in the outside world. The slingshot in the dream beast’s hand represents the pursuit of dreams, and the butterfly to the left of the slingshot signifies breaking free from the cocoon and realizing dreams. The high-flying bird (the Kinmen County bird, the crested myna) symbolizes the return of those who have succeeded, with the creator returning to their hometown that nurtured them, contributing their knowledge and transforming these ideas into creations captured in mural form in Kinmen. The Zhang Wendi Western-style building was constructed by overseas Chinese Zhang Wendi upon his return, completed in 1936. It was occupied by both the Japanese army and the Nationalist army and is currently uninhabited. The layout features a two-story T-shaped Western house with a rear extension on the first floor. The facade is elegantly adorned with relief decorations, and notably, the large rooms on the second floor have bathrooms, a rarity in the Western-style architecture of the Kinmen region.
