Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, reported and compiled by Liao Qiyu

 

Starting around April each year, during the transition from spring to summer, the sea around Matsu becomes especially romantic—like a scene from the movie "Life of Pi." Gazing out at the ocean, you might chance upon the magical sight of the entire sea surface glowing with a blue fluorescence. Locals have given this beautiful phenomenon the poetic name "Blue Tears."

The spectacle of the Blue Tears,occurs every year starting in April and lasts anywhere from June to August.It is caused by bioluminescent plankton called dinoflagellates that emit tiny blue lights when stirred by waves or when crashing against the reefs. It is said that Matsu locals used to call this phenomenon "Ding Xiang Shui" (Clove Water), as large gatherings of these organisms would attract swarms of clove fish coming to feed. It’s worth noting that this breathtaking view is rare and hard to predict—it depends not only on the season but also on southerly winds stirring up the sea and agitating the organisms to create the opportunity to witness such a magnificent sight.

 

Among the Matsu archipelago, the southern islands of Juguang and Nangan are more likely to offer sightings of the Blue Tears.Popular viewing spots include “Iron Fort,” “Dahan Outpost,” and the shoreline from Ren’ai Village to Jinsha Village on Nangan. Additionally, walking along Fuzheng Beach and Meng’ao Harbor on Dongju, or Qiaozai, Qinbi Beach, or Tanghou Dao Beach on Beigan, or Jinsha Beach on Nangan, you may notice tiny blue glows under your feet, possibly even creating “blue footprints.”

 

To promote Blue Tears tourism, the Lienchiang County Tourism Bureau specially organized a photography competition, inviting photography enthusiasts to capture the unique natural ecological landscape of Matsu’s "Blue Tears" (dinoflagellates) through their lenses. The goal is to share and spread the beauty of Matsu. Everyone is invited to participate in the "2014 Second Matsu Blue Tears Photography Collection Event."

 

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