Guningtou Village
古寧頭聚落Updated：2023-05-22
2571
Highlights
Take the Guningtou electric car tour to gain deeper understanding of village history.
Visit the historic sites of deep cultural significance such as the three-eyed well, Zhenwei Residence, and Shueiwei Pagoda.
Introduction
Guningtou used to be called Gulongtou and is located in the northwest of Kinmen. Comprised of the three villages of Beishan, Nanshan, and Lincuo, this location was the main battlefield of the Guningtou Battle in 1949. Residents are mainly of the Li family name. You can see residential houses with the lintel of “Longxi branch” above their doors.
Shuangli Lake Wetlands Nature Center showcases the unique ecology of Kinmen. Shueiwei Pagoda is a hundred-year-old historical remain. The three-eyed well (Sanpinjing) and its unique architecture are where locals share their lives and make connections with one another. Kinmen Peace Memorial Park and Guningtou Archway are more than historic sites but sources of great stories waiting for visitors to explore. The local hospitality can only be experienced and enjoyed in person.
Beishan Zhenwei Residence
Zhenwei Residence is a county-designated historic site of a three-part mansion built by Li Guangxian, Navy General of the Guangdong fleet, and his two brothers. Three “shigandangs” were set behind the house to block evil spirits. Among them, the “Taishan Shigandang” is the only lion-shaped shigandang in Kinmen and is also the largest.
Li Guangxian was born in Qianlong 20th year (1755) with extraordinary combat records. He also participated in resolving the Lin Shuangwen rebellion in Taiwan as well as following General Li Changgeng in pursuing Cai Qian the pirate. After Cai Qian passed, Li and cousin Qiu Lianggong went to the Fujian seas to capture the remnants of pirates.
In Jiaqing 21st year (1816), Li was promoted to Guangdong Navy Governor-general and was known for his high integrity. Ruan Yuan, then Governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi gifted him a plaque with the writing “Great contributions in the coastal battles” to honor his achievements. The design of “hanging fish roof ridge” at Zhenwei Residence showcases the story of Li quitting bribery.
Beishan Shueiwei Pagoda
Located next to Shuangli Lake, Shueiwei Pagoda was built in Qianlong 32nd year of Qing dynasty (1767). It is now a county-designated historic site. The outer structure is built with square-shaped granite, with the four sides of the pagoda carved with the four characters of “buddha, law, monk, treasure.” “Buddha, law, and monk” face the ocean and serve the purpose of calming the water, suppressing the evil spirits, and protecting the people. “Treasure” faces the village, implying that wealth and treasure are hidden in the village, reminding merchants from the village to be diligent and frugal.
Three-eyed well in Nanshan Village
The three-eyed well is shaped like the Chinese character “品” (pin) and therefore is also called the “品”-shaped well. This important source of water for Nanshan village was allegedly built in the Kangxi years of Qing dynasty. After all these years, the water is still abundant, providing residents with the daily essentials of water fetching, laundry, irrigation, and relationship building. When visiting, please be reminded that in order to keep the water source clean, do no pour any fetched water back into the well. Water taken from the well that is unused should just be left next to the well.
Rock Oyster and Wheat Cultural Festival
Every year in spring, at the outskirt of the villages, the large area of golden wheat fields become a beautiful scene. At the nearby seaside, the rock oyster fields and the sight of farmers harvesting the oysters offer a view of the unique local culture. In April, at Lincuo Peace Memorial Park, the Rock Oyster and Wheat Cultural Festival is held, offering visitors the experience of opening oysters with a thousand people, electric car tour of the wheat fields, and oyster farm ecology tour, all of which are family-friendly.
*There are many attractions around Guningtou villages: Guningtou Battle Museum, Beishan Old Western-style House, Beishan Broadcasting Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, and Shuangli Lake Wetlands.
Shuangli Lake Wetlands Nature Center showcases the unique ecology of Kinmen. Shueiwei Pagoda is a hundred-year-old historical remain. The three-eyed well (Sanpinjing) and its unique architecture are where locals share their lives and make connections with one another. Kinmen Peace Memorial Park and Guningtou Archway are more than historic sites but sources of great stories waiting for visitors to explore. The local hospitality can only be experienced and enjoyed in person.
Beishan Zhenwei Residence
Zhenwei Residence is a county-designated historic site of a three-part mansion built by Li Guangxian, Navy General of the Guangdong fleet, and his two brothers. Three “shigandangs” were set behind the house to block evil spirits. Among them, the “Taishan Shigandang” is the only lion-shaped shigandang in Kinmen and is also the largest.
Li Guangxian was born in Qianlong 20th year (1755) with extraordinary combat records. He also participated in resolving the Lin Shuangwen rebellion in Taiwan as well as following General Li Changgeng in pursuing Cai Qian the pirate. After Cai Qian passed, Li and cousin Qiu Lianggong went to the Fujian seas to capture the remnants of pirates.
In Jiaqing 21st year (1816), Li was promoted to Guangdong Navy Governor-general and was known for his high integrity. Ruan Yuan, then Governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi gifted him a plaque with the writing “Great contributions in the coastal battles” to honor his achievements. The design of “hanging fish roof ridge” at Zhenwei Residence showcases the story of Li quitting bribery.
Beishan Shueiwei Pagoda
Located next to Shuangli Lake, Shueiwei Pagoda was built in Qianlong 32nd year of Qing dynasty (1767). It is now a county-designated historic site. The outer structure is built with square-shaped granite, with the four sides of the pagoda carved with the four characters of “buddha, law, monk, treasure.” “Buddha, law, and monk” face the ocean and serve the purpose of calming the water, suppressing the evil spirits, and protecting the people. “Treasure” faces the village, implying that wealth and treasure are hidden in the village, reminding merchants from the village to be diligent and frugal.
Three-eyed well in Nanshan Village
The three-eyed well is shaped like the Chinese character “品” (pin) and therefore is also called the “品”-shaped well. This important source of water for Nanshan village was allegedly built in the Kangxi years of Qing dynasty. After all these years, the water is still abundant, providing residents with the daily essentials of water fetching, laundry, irrigation, and relationship building. When visiting, please be reminded that in order to keep the water source clean, do no pour any fetched water back into the well. Water taken from the well that is unused should just be left next to the well.
Rock Oyster and Wheat Cultural Festival
Every year in spring, at the outskirt of the villages, the large area of golden wheat fields become a beautiful scene. At the nearby seaside, the rock oyster fields and the sight of farmers harvesting the oysters offer a view of the unique local culture. In April, at Lincuo Peace Memorial Park, the Rock Oyster and Wheat Cultural Festival is held, offering visitors the experience of opening oysters with a thousand people, electric car tour of the wheat fields, and oyster farm ecology tour, all of which are family-friendly.
*There are many attractions around Guningtou villages: Guningtou Battle Museum, Beishan Old Western-style House, Beishan Broadcasting Wall, Kinmen Peace Memorial Park, Guningtou Archway, and Shuangli Lake Wetlands.
Information
Management Unit Kinmen National Park
TEL +886-82-313100
Address Jinning Township, Jinning Township, Kinmen County Taiwán, R.O.C
Recommended length of visit
1-2hr
