Matsu Islands
The Matsu Islands, close to the mouth of Fujian's Min River, known for the "blue tears," wartime relics and eastern Fujian stone-house villages.
Lienchiang County is the Matsu Islands, located in the northwestern Taiwan Strait off the mouth of the Min River in Fujian, made up of Nangan, Beigan, Dongju, Xiju and Dongyin. The islands preserve many wartime relics such as tunnels and strongpoints, including Nangan's Beihai Tunnel; the eastern Fujian-style stone-house village of Qinbi on Beigan has a distinctive charm; and on spring and summer nights the sea may glow with luminous algae known as the "blue tears," a popular attraction. The best season is roughly April to September; in winter it is windy and often foggy, and flights are easily disrupted. Fly from Taipei Songshan Airport to Nangan or Beigan, or take a boat from Keelung.