Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department, compiled and reported.
From April to August each year, the blue tears of Matsu phenomenon occurs, emitting a faint blue glow as waves crash against the shore. This stunning sight has become a popular topic not only in Matsu tourism and photography in recent years but has also recently caught the attention of the United States space agency NASA. On April 24, it was featured on NASA’s “Astronomy Picture of the Day” website, becoming an internationally recognized natural wonder.
2014 Matsu Blue Tears Photography Competition Runner-Up_Zheng Zijun_Icy Ripples Azure (Image source / Matsu Blue Tears)
The blue tears photo that appeared on the “Astronomy Picture of the Day” website was taken on the seashore of Nangan Island. The photographer used long-exposure techniques to capture the blue glow of bioluminescent plankton, with the vast starlight of the Milky Way shining above and the lights of southern Chinese cities visible in the distance. This simple, serene image perfectly showcases the ecological and geographical beauty of Matsu.
In addition, to give more visitors the opportunity to see the blue tears up close, the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration has launched the “Nighttime Oar-Riding Blue Tears Tour at Nangan Beihai Tunnel” event. From May 19 to September 30, the tour departs every Tuesday to Thursday from Nangan Beihai Tunnel. By boarding the traditional fishing boat of the Matsu region—the oar boat—you can experience a dreamlike view reminiscent of a movie.
Nangan Beihai Tunnel Nighttime Oar-Riding Blue Tears Tour
Event Period: May 19 to September 30 (Tuesdays to Thursdays)
Event Format: Board an oar boat inside the tunnel to view the blue tears. The whole trip lasts about 40 minutes (including pre-departure safety instructions). There are three departures per day: Departure 1 (7:00 PM–7:40 PM), Departure 2 (7:40 PM–8:20 PM), and Departure 3 (8:20 PM–9:00 PM). Each departure has a maximum capacity of 16 people and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fee: NT$300 for a full-price ticket※ Reservation only (please call Baoshun Leisure Co., Ltd. at 0836-22773 or 0932-161577).No same-day reservations or on-site registration accepted.)
※ It is recommended that participants park their vehicles in the parking lot in front of the visitor center 30 minutes before their scheduled departure time and walk to the ticket counter inside the tunnel to complete pre-departure procedures.