Tide-dependent alert: Visiting Jianguo Islet requires perfect timing — a submerged path emerges like Moses parting the Red Sea

▲ Horseshoe crabs are usually seen in pairs, hence nicknamed "couple fish." (Image / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Upon reaching Jianguo Islet, visitors can seea 27-ton statue of Zheng Chenggong (Koxinga), a gift from Nan'an City, Fujian Province in 2009, carved from Quanzhou white granite. The battle robe of Zheng Chenggong features intricate carvings of clouds, dragons, and landscapes.It’s said that the direction he gazes toward is his hometown, Nan'an.

If visitors walk toward the seaside side, they’ll noticethe rocks are covered with fragments of glass — these were actually part of the defenses against Communist "frogmen" (special forces) attempting to land during the past.Later, the glass eroded, and the Kinmen government removed these hazardous materials to promote tourism. Still, the remaining traces make it easy to imagine how tense the cross-strait standoff once was.

▲ The massive statue of Zheng Chenggong on the islet looks imposing. (Image / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

▲ A closer look reveals small bits of glass still embedded in the concrete. (Image / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Jianguo Islet is one of the best spots to watch the sunset in Kinmen — a must-visit if you travel there. Be sure to check the daily tide schedule in advance, as timing varies slightly, to avoid disappointment or being stranded on the islet. Also, be cautious of the slippery and muddy stone path to prevent falls.

Another popular sunset spot in Kinmen is Cihu Lake in the northwest, which is also the best place for winter migratory waterfowl viewing. It’s reportedthat Cihu Lake is connected to Shuangli Lake and was originally part of an inland sea. In the past, troops built a 550-meter-long Citi Embankment between Nanshan and Huxia, creating Kinmen’s largest saltwater lake,which remains connected to the sea.

On the western side of Cihu Lake liesa triangular fort, with fortifications at each of its three points. The surrounding area features bunkers nicknamed "underground cities," including barracks for soldiers. Though the triangular fort is now vacant due to eased cross-strait tensions and serves as a cultural landscape for bird conservation, remnants inside — such as slogans like "Safety Noncommissioned Officer Code" and "Shooting Discipline" — offer a glimpse into the lives of soldiers stationed there.