The Gentle Side of a Former Battlefield Island｜Three Days and Two Nights Slow Travel in Matsu

Day 1｜First Impressions of Nangan — Battlefield Charm and Seafood Dinner In the morning, take a small plane directly from Songshan to Nangan. The flight takes less than an hour to reach this northern island. As soon as you get off the plane, you can smell the faint saltiness in the air. The blue sky, white clouds, and sea breeze instantly relax your mood. The first stop is the Matsu Distillery, where you can visit the old wine jar walls and smell the strong aroma of sorghum liquor, feeling the pride of the Matsu people in their brewing craft. Next, head to the 88 Tunnel. Inside the orderly rows of wine jars and former military relics in the cool underground space, it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll. In the afternoon, rent a scooter to circle the island, passing by the Pillar of Readiness Memorial Park and Jinsha Village. The Min Dong-style stone houses here look especially warm under the sunset glow. In the evening, enjoy fresh red yeast eel, mussel soup, and clam rice noodles by the harbor while feeling the sea breeze — simply perfect. Day 2｜Exploring Beigan — Slow Living Fishing Village and Blue Tears at Sea Early in the morning, take a boat to Beigan. At first sight, the Qianbi Village amazes you. The stone houses stacked along the mountainside by the sea resemble a Mediterranean town painting. Walking through the winding alleys, you can occasionally hear the sound of waves crashing on the shore. At noon, go to Banli Beach to wade in the water. The sand is fine, and the sea water is crystal clear. In the afternoon, climb up to Bishan Observation Deck for a 360-degree panoramic view of Beigan, clearly seeing Nangan across the water and the distant Chinese coastline. In the evening, return to Nangan to join a local-led Blue Tears watching tour. On a moonless night, the sea surface looks like it’s sprinkled with stars. When you approach the shore and stir the water with your hand, the blue glow flickers with the waves, so magical you don’t want to leave. Day 3｜Dawn Departure — Taking the Taste of the Sea Breeze with You On the last day, get up early to visit the Magang Tianhou Temple and feel the locals’ devotion to Mazu. Then head to the Dahan stronghold, wandering through tunnels and gun ports, imagining the lives of the soldiers stationed here back then. For lunch, try the local specialty, aged wine noodles. The subtle wine aroma paired with the soft and chewy noodles is simple yet heartwarming. After the meal, buy some red yeast cakes and dried mussels as souvenirs, bringing home the unique flavors of the island. As you take the plane back, glance once more at the sea of Matsu through the window, thinking: this place is not just a battlefield, but a gentle, simple, and intriguing island. The three days and two nights in Matsu are just right — enough to visit the main attractions of Nangan and Beigan, while slowly enjoying the tranquility of the fishing villages. Travelers are highly recommended to: Experience the Blue Tears + Stay One Night in a Stone House + Taste Aged Wine Noodles and Red Yeast Cuisine Only then can you truly feel the flavor and soul of Matsu.