Kinmen - my favourite Island all time

One of my favourite destinations on this planet is not one that sees loads of travellers, that would maybe be one of the reasons that this is such a fantastic place to visit.
For many travellers Taiwan is not on the list of places to visit when traveling through Asia, but for those who do visit it tends to be one of the most memorable stays on their trip.
Out of those who visit Taiwan and also make it to the outlying island of Kinmen (金門, Jinmen) CONGRATULATIONS!

Beautifully decorated Entrance in Jinsha, Kinmen folk culture village - Kinmen, 金門, Jīnmén, Taiwan

This island has it all, contemporary and old history, great people, great food, beautiful scenery, and great guesthouses.

During my visit to Kinmen I stayed at Luo Fun Jyu guesthouse a beautifully restored house in the village of Zhushan.

The owner, a man and his old father treat guests like VIPs with splendid service, and this is probably Most amazing B&B stay in Taiwan
We were picked up from the airport by the father of the owner "Laoye", a very friendly and helpful man, he spent a day taking me and my friend around for sightseeing free of charge.
During the stay we were treated to tea and drinks in the evening. Laoye was also taking orders for what breakfast we wanted the following day (then order it from the breakfast shop). Rooms are excellent, and fantastic value for money.

Below would be some impressions of what there is to see on this Island.

First of all, the guesthouse is a sight in itself:

 

Breakfast prepared and ready to eat when waking up at the Luo Fun Jyu Guesthouse on Kinmen - Taiwan

 

The village and surrounding area of the guesthouse on Kinmen - Taiwan

Around the main town of Jincheng one of the landmarks of the island is Juguang tower (莒光樓) a pretty romantic location, from here one can also enjoy a very pretty sunset from the balcony looking out over the island and the ocean.

 

Juguang tower (莒光樓) - Jinchen, Kinmen - Taiwan

Juguang tower (莒光樓) - Jinchen, Kinmen - Taiwan

A short ride away from the town is Ci lake, (慈湖)with a dedicted sunset viewing spot.

 Ci lake, (慈湖) - Kinmen, Taiwan

One of the most famous and successful singers from the mandarin speaking world is Theresa Teng, (鄧麗君)loved by generations. During the height of the war her songs were played at the Beishan broadcasting station in Kinmen (48 loudspeakers) just 2 kms away from Xiamen city aiming towards the Chinese mainland with songs like Tian Mi Mi. At one point the star herself visited the Island and went to speak through the broadcasting station to the troops stationed on Kinmen.

Today Kinmen hosts a museum dedicated to her and her time on the Island.

Teresa Teng remembered and commemorated for her time spent on the island of Kinmen - Taiwan

Traveling around the Island (there are actually two islands making up Kinmen county) there are loads of sights both reminding of contemporary tensions (formally battle ended in the 1980s) but also much older sights, the island has been inhabited since the Tang dynasty.

Mashan (馬山) observing station, Huan Wo He Shan (還我河山 - Return My Country) - Kinmen, Taiwan

Traditional village setting on Kinmen - Taiwan

Nightlife at the town square in Jincheng - Kinmen, Taiwan

Vintage cafe in Jincheng, greeted by a typical Wind Lion at the entrance - Kinmen, Taiwan

Kinmen serves a potent version of the famous Taiwanese milk tea with a splash of Kaoliang liquor named "Mao Zedong milk tea" showing how distant the past on the island today - Kinmen, Taiwan