By MOOK Travel Life Network, Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
Want to plan a one-of-a-kind island-hopping journey during the summer break? The “2013 Eco-Seagull Watching & Sea Tour of Matsu,” hosted by the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau, MOTC, will set sail from Fuzhou Pier in Nangan on July 1. Along the voyage, you can admire Matsu’s unique granite rock formations and geological landscapes. Near the tern conservation area, you’ll have the chance to see various terns and migratory birds soaring through the sky. This year, the return route has been extended to include a cruise along the coast of Qinpí in Beigan, allowing visitors to enjoy the traditional Eastern Min-style architecture and settlements of Qinpí from the sea. After the cruise, travelers can also visit various former military strongholds that are now open to the public.
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This year’s “Eco-Seagull Watching & Sea Tour of Matsu” kicks off on July 1 and includes an extended cruise along the coast of Qinpí in Beigan, offering views of the area’s traditional Eastern Min-style buildings and settlements. (Photo provided by Matsu National Scenic Area Administration)
This event offers participants a fresh perspective to unveil the mysteries of the former military zone and rediscover Matsu. To avoid disturbing the terns, vessels will maintain a distance of 100 meters outside the tern ecological protection zone. Onboard guides will introduce different species of terns and their lifestyles, especially the critically endangered Black-faced Spoonbill Tern, known as the “Mythical Bird of Paradise.” This adds an intriguing layer to the seagull-watching experience. Additionally, guides will explain Matsu’s unique sea erosion landforms, as well as its traditional Eastern Min-style buildings and settlements, giving visitors a deeper understanding of Matsu’s landscape and cultural heritage while enjoying the terns.
The “2013 Eco-Seagull Watching & Sea Tour of Matsu” will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from July 1 to August 31 (subject to weather and sea conditions). Each cruise lasts approximately two hours, and spots are limited. Participants should report to the passenger service counter in the waiting lounge at Fuzhou Port in Nangan at 9:00 AM on the day of the trip. The fee is 250 NTD per person, with a maximum of 45 people per cruise. Sign up early, as spots fill up quickly.
Gu Yongyuan, Director of the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, said: “In recent years, the eco-seagull watching tours organized by our administration have received strong support from participants. This year’s Sea Tour of Matsu has specially invited bird and geology experts to plan the cruise route, continuing to offer the public a unique perspective on tern ecology and geological landscapes. Furthermore, the 2013 Eco-Seagull Watching & Sea Tour of Matsu has been included in the Taiwan Tourism Calendar recommended by the Tourism Bureau, MOTC, making it the first exclusive summer-only event in Matsu to be featured.”
For more information, please visit the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration website: www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw.
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