We could smell the Matsu Old Wine from the van as we drove up to the Matsu Distillery which was established in 1956 and moved to its present location in 1970. The island’s sweet-water springs and clean air are said to be the major reasons for its ability to create such a fine rice wine.
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Nangan’s [南竿] Iron Fort [鐵堡] sits on a small island barely separated from the shore near Ren-ai Village [仁愛村]. The fort was originally the training base for special amphibious forces.
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A short walk from the Dahan Stronghold, Nangan’s [南竿] Beihai [北海] Tunnel is a multi-channeled tunnel 18 meters high, 10 meters wide, and 640 meters long. Soldiers worked for 820 days to complete the project using just blasting powder and hand tools to tunnel through solid granite.
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Naturally, the best weather we encountered was on our last [half] day in Matsu. Excavation for Nangan’s [南竿] Dahan [大漢] Stronghold began in 1975 by soldiers using basic equipment. Work was completed on March 29, 1980.
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If you approach Nangan’s [南竿] Fuao Harbor [福澳港] you really can’t help but notice the giant inscription rising out of Fuao Village [福澳村]. The inscription, “Sleeping on Spears, Awaiting the Dawn [枕戈待旦],” was written by General Chiang Kai-shek during a visit to Matsu in 1958.
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The Matsu Nangan Heavenly Empress Palace [馬祖南竿天后宮] is the religious center of Matsu… legend says that the body of Mazu [媽祖] (Lin Moniang) drifted and stopped here.
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Matsu’s Folk Cultural Artifacts Exhibition Hall is located on Nangan [南竿] (Matsu’s largest island). The museum introduces visitors to the culture and lifestyle of the Matsu islands.
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