"The islands may be isolated, but the people are not!" Kinmen's Dadan and Erdan Islands to open for tourism next July

▲ The massive "Three Principles of the People Unite China" psychological warfare wall is the most iconic landmark on Dadan Island. (Photo / from Wikimedia Commons)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Long regarded as Taiwan's "most remote outlying islands and the frontline of the frontline," Kinmen's Dadan and Erdan Islands have traditionally been considered military zones. After June 30, they will be handed over to the Kinmen County Government and the Coast Guard Administration. According to plans by the Executive Yuan, trial tourism operations are expected to begin in July (2015), with official public access opening in September. This will allow citizens to experience the islands' frontline charm and even catch sight of the famous "psychological warfare wall" as well as mainland tour boats that come specifically to view it and shuttle back and forth.

If you were to recount the wars and legendary tales that took place on Dadan and Erdan Islands, you could probably talk for three days and three nights without finishing. Though small in size, the islands feature rugged terrain with dramatic ups and downs, and military facilities can be found almost everywhere. Their proximity to Xiamen also gave them a strategic role in monitoring shipping traffic to and from the mainland city.

The islands' most famous attraction is undoubtedly the massive "Three Principles of the People Unite China" psychological warfare wall, which faces off against Xiamen’s "One Country, Two Systems Unite China" slogan. Nearby is the former "psychological warfare broadcasting station" used during the Chinese Civil War to broadcast messages to Communist troops. In those turbulent times, the Ministry of National Defense would send personnel daily to conduct psychological warfare broadcasts aimed at the mainland coast, often playing Teresa Teng’s music for listeners on the other side. There is also a stone tablet inscribed with "The island may be isolated, but the people are not" by Chiang Ching-kuo, along with the slogan "Dadan bears the great burden, the island may be isolated but the people are not"—another notable sight on Dadan and Erdan Islands.

The Kinmen County Government’s Tourism Department stated that the county is currently gathering and organizing tourism information about the islands. The first phase of limited tourism access is planned to begin in September next year, but initially only Republic of China youth groups, school students, and retired military personnel who once served on the islands will be allowed to visit. Depending on the situation, access may be expanded after September 2016. Once visits begin, consideration will also be given to constructing a cable car to connect the two islands. Meanwhile, the islands will remain closed to tourists from mainland China.