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Insider Kinmen Island Guide (Taiwan Outlying Island) 🏝️
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items I lived on Kinmen Island in 2020 and know all the secret spots no one talks about. So here's my whole list of my top hidden gems, food recommendations, transport information, and insights with my own videos about living in Kinmen in Taiwan. You can a...here!
Sections
6
Getting Around 🛵
"Secret Spots"
Mansions
Other Kinmen Goodies
Food & Cafes 🥢
Places to Stay
Getting Around 🛵
Some useful links for transportation in Kinmen including scooter rentals and easy-to-reserve ferry tickets from Kinmen to Xiamen.
Since I lived on Kinmen in 2020, the ferry was closed between Kinmen and Xiamen. It's now open and the online booking makes it super easy to plan your trip ahead of time!
Kinmen - Xiamen Ferry Tickets (Easy Booking!)
Discover some amazing cafes on Kinmen as well as how to rent a scooter with KMFun who I used to rent monthly from living in Taiwan.
Foreign License • 50 cc Scooter Rental with KMFun (Link in video description)
Book scooters ahead of time and even pick-up at the airport! 125cc available.
For Taiwan License • Scooter Rental with Klook
A Taiwan eSim is cheaper than buying at the airport if your trip is short and you don't need unlimited data! The eSim does not have a phone number.
eSIM for Taiwan
"Secret Spots"
Want to see places on Kinmen most guides won't tell you about? These are some of my favorite places to visit you usually won't find Taiwan tourists (if anything, make sure to bring a friend!)
Get to know my personal favorite spots on Kinmen Island most tourists won't know about -- and find out where to visit them.
5 "Secret Spots" On Kinmen Island I Google Maps in Description
Warning: Be careful here -- there are usually no people and the cliff sides can be dangerous. I also haven't been in years so the access may have changed. Use your best judgement :)
Rocky Ocean Cliffside Hike • Near Former Military Base
Location link in video description. There's a huge tunnel system underground here with relics of former war days.
Abandoned ROC Military Tunnel System • Don't Go Alone!
Mansions
Kinmen is famous for its Western-Style mansions that were built in the early 1900's. Many left abandoned due to the war days, they still stand and amaze those who get to glimpse into the history of Kinmen and Taiwan.
I used to love exploring this mansion on Kinmen. Today you may not be able to enter or go upstairs, but it's worth stopping by to take a look!
Massive Historic Building I Chen Qing Ji Mansion
Former home turned military occupied building turned KTV: this Kinmen Mansion has some unique history and is beautiful! Google maps link with video.
100 Year Old Mansion in Shanwai
A smaller (but still beautiful) Western Style Mansion on Kinmen. Nearby Chen Qing Ji Mansion so it's worth stopping by this one!
Chen De Xing Western Style Mansion in BiShan -
You'd never find this mansion by browsing Google Maps -- I found this just driving by one day.
Dongxiao Mansion • Hidden Gem on Kinmen backroads
Other Kinmen Goodies
Random fun things to do on Kinmen that are cultural experiences quite unique to Kinmen and remind me of my times there.
Visiting as many wind lions as you can? Anqi is one of the top ones to see -- and the biggest on Kinmen!
Tallest Windlion on Kinmen I Anqi Wind Lion God
Maestro Wu is an expert knife maker on Kinmen famous for blades made from artillery shells. This workshop you get to make your own souvenir!
Homemade Knife Keyring Workshop • Maestro Wu (Blades made from Artillery Shells)
I did this with one of my students and his Grandma years ago. An amazing cultural & culinary experience if you're a foodie!
Traditional Peanut Rice Cake Making DIY Workshop
Clams are a staple on Kinmen -- I've even gone searching for them with my students. Want a very Kinmen experience? This is no doubt one of them.
Clam Collecting • Local Kinmen Cultural Experience
Food & Cafes 🥢
Places I used to eat at when I lived on Kinmen Island in Taiwan – trust me, you'll love these spots!
I used to live next door to here. The beef dishes are incredible. The way the dumplings are fried is so memorable -- you won't regret trying this on Kinmen!
Incredible Pan Fried Beef Dumplings! I Zhenshanmei Beef Noodles
One of the best dessert shops on Kinmen. My favorite is the taro cake but everything is delicious!
MUST TRY Dessert Shop on Kinmen • Taro Cake & More
The owner here (if she is still there!) is passionate about making great pour over coffee. Plus she's very sweet :) 10/10.
Cute Cafe in Little Morocco for Coffee Lovers • 美門咖啡屋
This shop has stellar classic interior design and the BEST taro paste shaved ice. If you visit Little Kinmen in Taiwan you have to eat here.
Favorite Taro Shaved Ice on Little Kinmen • Jianianhua
Places to Stay
Want a unique stay in Kinmen? A traditional home is the place to stay.
Traditional Minnan Stay: KIVALA Hostel
Super affordable private rooms in busy area on Kinmen.
$20-$40/night private rooms in Jincheng (main city on Kinmen)