Living in Kinmen
Townships
Kinmen County has five major townships with three larger towns and smaller villages dispersed throughout the main island and Little Kinmen.
Jincheng Township – Historic City Center
Jincheng is known as the cultural and historical heart of Kinmen. It features well-preserved historic streets, traditional architecture, and important heritage sites that reflect the island’s rich past. The township offers a vibrant atmosphere where history and daily life come together.
Jinhu Township – Mountains and Sea
Jinhu is characterized by its diverse natural landscape, combining mountains, lakes, and coastal scenery. It offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to water-based recreation, making it ideal for those who enjoy an active lifestyle surrounded by nature.
Jinsha Township – Cultural Tourism
Jinsha is famous for its strong cultural identity and traditional settlements. Visitors can explore historic villages, cultural landmarks, and local traditions that highlight Kinmen’s unique heritage. The township also features beautiful beaches and a peaceful coastal environment.
Jinning Township – Battlefields and Memorial Sites
Jinning is closely connected to Kinmen’s military history. It is home to important battlefields, memorial parks, and historical sites that commemorate the island’s past conflicts. At the same time, its rural landscapes offer a quiet and reflective atmosphere.
Lieyu Township – Scenic Exploration
Lieyu, also known as Little Kinmen, is ideal for those seeking hidden scenic spots and tranquil surroundings. With its coastal views, historic sites, and slower pace of life, Lieyu invites visitors to explore lesser-known corners of Kinmen and appreciate its natural beauty.
Kinmen's Specialties
Windlions
Kinmen residents look to Windlion Gods to protect them from the harsh northeast winds brought by the winter monsoons. Each village has its own windlion statue watching over the community. Every year, Kinmen also hosts a “Finding Windlion” activity, encouraging visitors to search for and discover as many windlion statues as possible—try to find them all!
Food
Locals and travelers alike come to Kinmen to enjoy and purchase specialty foods such as peanut candy, known as gongtang (貢糖), beef jerky, and taro-based snacks. Kinmen is also famous for its rich and comforting Cantonese-style congee, as well as fresh oysters, which are commonly made into oyster noodles and oyster pancakes. Little Kinmen is especially known for its abundance of taro, and every year, the island hosts an annual Taro Festival. In past years, ETAs have even had the opportunity to dig up taro themselves!
Kaoliang
Sorghum distilled into alcohol, known as kaoliang (高粱), is Kinmen’s most important industry and remains the drink of choice for many locals today. Don’t be surprised to see kaoliang flowing freely at teachers’ dinners or to receive a bottle as a formal gift. Bottles of kaoliang are commonly given during holidays such as Teachers’ Day and at special events like the Kinmen Half Marathon.
Knives
After the war ended, local craftsmen began manufacturing knives from the thousands of artillery shells left behind on the island. Today, several Kinmen Knife Factories allow visitors to see discarded bombshells smelted and transformed into high-quality knives, symbolizing Kinmen’s unique history and resilience.
Minnan Architecture and Nanyang Tiles
Kinmen is also well known for its traditional Minnan-style architecture and distinctive Nanyang decorative tiles. Many historic houses feature red-brick walls, swallowtail roofs, and colorful floral tiles influenced by Southeast Asian aesthetics. These Nanyang tiles reflect Kinmen’s historical connections with overseas Chinese communities and add vibrant character to village streets. Together, Minnan architecture and Nanyang tiles create a unique visual landscape that blends local tradition with international influences.
Activities
【Mandarian Class】
The local college, National Quemoy University will open Mandarian classes for foreigners every year. You can sign up and participate the Mandarian level test, the Mandarian department will base on your level to design classes. You are also encouraged to set up your own language exchange and tutoring sessions with anyone you meet in Kinmen. Outside of language exchange, tutoring offers an opportunity for friendship and cultural exchange.
【Volunteering and Community Service】
Due to its small and close-knit community, volunteering in Kinmen is both fun and rewarding. There is a wide range of volunteer and community service opportunities available. ETAs have volunteered to host weekend story time at local libraries and to serve at local elderly care homes. In addition, ETAs can volunteer at vocational schools to conduct cultural sharing sessions, as well as teach communication-focused classes at senior high schools.
【Host Family and Buddy Program】
Kinmen offers a warm and supportive Host Family and Buddy Program that helps ETAs quickly adapt to life on the island. Through this program, ETAs are paired with local host families or buddies who provide guidance, opportunities for cultural exchange, and daily life support. Whether sharing meals, participating in local festivals, or exploring Kinmen together, these meaningful connections allow ETAs to experience Taiwanese culture firsthand and build lasting relationships within the community.