Alternative Travel in Kinmen: Revisit the Old Military Camps Where “Golden Horse Award” Veterans Once Served

▲ The Kinmen County Government organized the “Million Soldiers Return to the Heroic Island” event, bringing many veterans back to Kinmen for a tour. (Photo provided by Kinmen County Government)

Reported by Travel Center / Taipei

The wartime vibe of Kinmen is always tied to military service. Last year, veterans who were once unexpectedly “awarded the Golden Horse” (a humorous local term for being conscripted) participated in the “Million Soldiers Return to the Heroic Island” event, stepping foot on Kinmen once again. Memories from their service days came flooding back. Through military experience tours, many veterans discovered that Kinmen has changed—now more beautiful and pleasant, suitable for family trips. The veterans said it’s wonderful to be able to come back and see Kinmen again.

Registration for this year’s Million Soldiers Return to the Heroic Island event is now open. On December 20th, there’s a special arrangement to tour Kinmen together with “Authentic Kinmen Veteran and Taiwanese Uncle—Liao Jun.” Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.Additionally, all veterans who have served in Kinmen can receive assistance from now until March 31, 2014, in locating the old military camps where they once served, allowing them to relive their courageous past.

The first 300 registrants (excluding family members) will receive a “Winter Warm-Up Pack” and a “Military Pack.” The Winter Warm-Up Pack includes one commemorative bottle of liquor for the Million Soldiers Return to the Heroic Island event and one set of dry rations. The Military Pack contains one battlefield notebook, one copy of “100 Surprising Things to Do in Kinmen,” one “Kinmen Heroes’ Handbook,” and one “Hero Medal.” The event runs from now until March 31 next year.

(For details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/kinmenheroisland or call the registration hotline at 02-2383-2301 to speak with Miss Wu)