Dongyin

Statue of Chiang Ching-kuo in the Ganen Pavilion.

Dongyin (東引 Dōngyǐn) is an island in the Matsu region of Taiwan.

Understand

Due to its military significance, Dongyin has been an active and heavily stationed base. As of early 2001, up to 50 Tien Chi (Sky Spear) missiles were deployed at two sites: Tungyin Island, and an unidentified second location. The Tungyin Island missiles are said to be housed in silos and protected by batteries of Tien Kung-2 SAMs. The number of soldiers, the major consumers, is several times as many as the residents.

• 1 Dongyin Visitor Center (東引遊客中心), ☏ +88683677266. 08:00-17:00. For more information regarding the attractions and services on the island, you may wish to visit the Centre. (updated Jun 2020)

Get in

By air

Dongyin Heliport

• 1 Dongyin Heliport (東引直升機場). There is a helicopter service for connecting the islands. These are most commonly used in an emergency, such as for medical transport. Services are operated by Emerald Pacific Airlines. (updated Jun 2020)

By sea

Zhongzhu Harbour

• 2 Zhongzhu Harbor (中柱港). The main port for accessing the island; there is a ferry that runs between Dongyin and Nangan. (updated Jun 2020)

Get around

Local transportation around Dongyin are taxis and scooters since the area doesn't have public buses. Dongyin can be explored by foot due to its relatively flat terrain.

• 2 Dongyin Petrol Station (東引加油站), Nan'ao Road, ☏ +88683676048. 08:00-17:30. If you plan to hire a scooter while you're here, it is probably a good idea to get to know where this is as it's the only petrol station on the island. (updated Jun 2020)

See

Culture and history

Dongyong Lighthouse

Xiyin Triumph Monument

• 1 Dongyong Lighthouse (東湧燈塔). In the late 19th century, Qing Dynasty opened a port in the area, thus the Dongying Lighthouse was built by British engineers to guide ships. The construction was completed in 1902. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Andong Tunnel (安東坑道). The tunnel path was constructed with 30 degrees angle downwards with 464 steps at a length of 260 meters. The tunnel itself is 640 meters long. It features military utilities, such as dormitories, ammunition depots, viewing platform etc. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Ganen Pavilion (中柱感恩亭), ☏ +88683625631. A small gazebo situated on an island in the middle of the bridge which links the two islands. The gazebo covers a statue of the former President of the ROC, Chiang Ching-kuo. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 Loyalty Arch (忠誠門). A large stone wall with a doorway set into it which visitors must pass through to access the village. There is a bronze statue of an ROC soldier atop the arch. (updated Jun 2020)
• 5 Sanshan Strongpoint (三山據點), ☏ +88683625631. At the end of the peninsular there are a number of gun emplacements that the public can access for taking photos. (updated Jun 2020)
• 6 The Northernmost Frontier (國之北疆), ☏ +88683625631. 08:00-17:00. This is the northernmost point of land controlled by the ROC government. In 2006, it was developed into a scenic spot and a stone monument inscribed with Northernmost Frontier (國之北疆) was erected. Out from the observatory, the north is the endless sea, and the west is the famous Luohanping (Lohan Flat) (羅漢坪), aka Three-Colored Stone (三色石). (updated Jun 2020)
• 7 Xiyin Triumph Monument (西引人定勝天). A large monument painted on the hillside to extol mankind's struggle over nature. (updated Jun 2020)

Museums

• 8 Anti-Communist National Salvation Army History Museum (陸軍東引指揮部隊史館). The name says it all. (updated Jun 2020)

Temples

• 9 White Horse King Temple (白馬尊王廟), ☏ +88683676181. (updated Jun 2020)
• 10 Taishan Temple (泰山府). (updated Jun 2020)

Nature

• 11 Yixiantian Cliff (一線天), ☏ +88683625631. 08:00-17:00. Erosion has created a narrow pass between two rock faces, leading to the Chinese name which roughly translates as "a thread of sky". (updated Jun 2020)
• 12 Suicide Cliff (烈女義坑). It is said that in Qing Dynasty a fisherman’s wife was kidnapped by mobsters to this island. Resisting, she escaped to this cliff, jumped off, and died. To commemorate her chastity, this cliff is named Suicide Cliff. (updated Jun 2020)
• 13 Dragon Sea Cave (海現龍闕). A stone arch and caves formed through erosion from the sea. (updated Jun 2020)
• 14 Qingshui'ao (清水澳). An area worn flat by erosion from the sea where local sit and contemplate. (updated Jun 2020)
• 15 Houao (后澳). Features a number of unusual rock formations which have been carved into unusual shapes by eons of erosion from the sea. (updated Jun 2020)
• 16 Crouching Crocodile (靜伏鱷魚), ☏ +88683625631. The long peninsular, when viewed from the land opposite, resembles a semi-submerged crocodile. (updated Jun 2020)

Do

Hiking

• 1 Mount Taishan Scenic Trail (泰山府景觀步道). (updated Jun 2020)

Sports

• 2 Dongyong Sports Park (東湧運動公園). An outdoor sporting facility featuring a running track and grassed area. (updated Jun 2020)

Eat

• 1 Zhen Shan Mei Restaurant (珍膳美餐廳), ☏ +88683677289. 11:00-20:00. Specialises in local seafood. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Qingye Restaurant (青葉餐廳), ☏ +88683677307. 11:00-19:00. A well-established Fujianese restaurant. (updated Jun 2020)

Drink

• 1 Dongyin Matsu Distillery (馬祖酒廠東引分廠), ☏ +88683676006. 08:00-17:30. A working distillery making Moutai. There is an information centre which outlines the history of the industry, as well as a shop where visitors can buy some. (updated Jun 2020)

Sleep

• 1 Dong Yin Hai Jiao (東引 海角民宿), ☏ +886928418308. A small B&B featuring free wifi and a bar. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 Royal Hotel Dongyin (東湧行旅旅店). A modern hotel set atop the hill near the harbour. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Ease Inn (安逸旅店), ☏ +88683677010. A simple B&B which provides a simple Chinese and Western-style breakfast. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 Bian Cheng (邊辰), ☏ +88683676053. A small, new B&B sitting just behind the Loyalty Arch. There is complementary wifi. (updated Jun 2020)