Dongin: Where the natural and the man-made mingle

While one can get outside views of Dongin’s many cliffs, for a unique “inside” view of the rock formations, one must visit the An Dong Tunnel (安東坑道). This former military site was built by chiseling several hundred meters underground through the mountains; by following a steep incline down from the entrance, one can wander through the labrynth of tunnels and see the soldiers’ former living quarters.

Furthermore, the tunnels abruptly end once they penetrate through the mountain, providing a view of the steep drop to the ocean below, as well as nearby rock formations that are given names such as the Rat Sands or the Long Nose. With perhaps a bit of imagination and squinting, the rocks’ resemblance to their namesakes begins to emerge after a while.

During the summer months, Black Tailed Gulls are also visible from the tunnels’ vantage points; their presence is particularly noticeable in the afternoon, when several of these birds may be seen soaring along on waves of wind.

In addition to birds, another point of interest in Dongin is the Guo Zhi Bei Jiang (國之北疆), or the northernmost part of Taiwan. There is a small hill to climb to get to the marker, but after snapping the requisite picture with the sign, don’t forget to take the time to look around the area. On a clear day, one can see mainland China with the naked eye; also, if you’re lucky, a gorgeous sunset could present itself for an enhanced experience.

While the geographic location of Guo Zhi Bei Jiang is a standout feature of the island, it is by no means the only attribute that makes this place worth visiting. Rather, it is the artful combination of human constructs coupled with the presence of the raw natural elements that have shaped Dongin into one of the most unique among all the collective islands of Taiwan.

For more information on airplane flights, please visit http://www.uniair.com.tw or call (02) 2518-5166

For more information about the Keelung Ferry please visit http://www.shinhwa.com.tw or call (02) 2424-6868

For more information about the Matsu inter-island ferry, please visit http://www.matsu-news.gov.tw/ftp_data/lai.htm or call (0836) 22193

1|2

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos Respond to this email