Visa on arrival implemented: Surge in mainland Chinese tourists at Kinmen’s Zhaishan Tunnel

▲ The 357-meter-long Zhaishan Tunnel in Kinmen. (Photo / Courtesy of Kinmen Tourism Website)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The implementation of visa on arrival for mainland Chinese tourists this New Year’s Day has directly impacted visitor numbers in Kinmen and attendance at tourist attractions. The Kinmen National Park Headquarters reported a significant increase in visitors to the Zhaishan Tunnel site within Kinmen National Park, with first-quarter tourist numbers this year rising 26% compared to the same period last year.

The Kinmen National Park Headquarters stated that the Zhaishan Tunnel entrance is equipped with an audiovisual room, a café and souvenir kiosk, as well as an interpretation station to serve visitors. This year, the first-quarter visitor count at the Zhaishan Tunnel reached 88,091, up from 69,820 during the same period last year — a significant 26% increase. Since the implementation of visa on arrival for mainland Chinese tourists starting January 1 this year, there has been a growing trend in tourist arrivals to Kinmen. It is expected that during the upcoming summer peak season, visitor numbers could surge even further, injecting new vitality into Kinmen’s tourism industry.

Located southwest of Kinmen, the Zhaishan Tunnel is an A-shaped military waterway with a total length of approximately 357 meters. Excavated in 1963 (the 52nd year of the Republic of China) to meet wartime needs, it was used to facilitate the supply of small boats during wartime and included a docking pier inside the tunnel. After being handed over to the Kinmen National Park Headquarters for renovation and restoration, the Zhaishan Tunnel officially opened to the public in July 1998 and has since become a must-visit tourist attraction.

Additionally, the annual “Kinmen Tunnel Music Festival” is held within the Zhaishan Tunnel waterway, breathing new life into what was once a military facility. This year, the Kinmen National Park Headquarters has invited the internationally renowned Nanguan music group “Heart to Heart Nanguan Music Troupe” to perform at the Zhaishan Tunnel on June 7.