Homestay hosts show you around — take a deep dive into Kinmen’s Jiaojing Village and experience local folk culture

Reported by Chen Ziying / Comprehensive report

In April, Kinmen hosts numerous temple festivals across the island, creating a unique local faith culture. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Kinmen County’s establishment. The Kinmen County Government has launched the “2014 Kinmen Welcomes the City God – Wudao Religious Culture Tourism Season” experience event, combining culture and tourism. Visitors can join Minnan folk performance troupes and take part in the “Homestay Hosts Show You Around Jiaojing Village” program, aiming to offer a deeper travel experience in Kinmen through the guidance of locals.

 
▲ With homestay hosts as guides, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Kinmen’s local culture. (Photo / Courtesy of Kinmen National Park official Facebook page)

The Kinmen County Government explained that the event encompasses 25 communities across Greater and Lesser Kinmen, themed around the communities protected by the Divine Physician deity, the bays guarded by the Goddess Mazu, the lands blessed by the Almighty God, and the people cared for by the Goddess of Mercy. Through passionate homestay hosts, visitors will receive guided tours explaining how temple festival activities reflect Kinmen’s folk culture and lifestyle, allowing them to gain a deeper insight into local traditions and enjoy a unique, time-limited journey through Kinmen.

Currently, nine homestay hosts have undergone training and are offering free guided tours of Jiaojing Village. These include W Homestay, Beishan No. 13, Eighteen Beams, Qionglin No. 131 (Langyue), Qionglin No. 105-1 (Yangdanju), Shuitou No. 121 (Shuitou Inn), Beishan No. 171 (Beishan Yangwan Yi), Zhushan No. 19 (Taoranju), and Zhushan No. 28 Homestay (Zhushan Laoye). To sign up for the experience, visitors can contact the respective homestays offering the Jiaojing Village guided tour or reach out to the Kinmen County Government Tourism Department at 082-371717. Information is also available on the official “2014 Kinmen Welcomes the City God” website.