August 23rd Artillery War Museum | Kinmen Attraction

On August 23, 1958, the People's Liberation Army launched an intensive 44-day artillery bombardment of Kinmen, firing more than 470,000 shells in total — an event known as the 823 Artillery Battle. One of the largest artillery battles of the Cold War era, it profoundly shaped the course of cross-strait relations. The August 23rd Artillery War Museum in Jinhu Township presents the historical context of that period of conflict through its collection of artifacts and actual weapons.

Highlights of the August 23rd Artillery War Museum

The 823 Artillery Battle began on August 23, 1958, when the PLA launched a large-scale bombardment of Kinmen — at its peak, tens of thousands of shells fell each day. The shelling continued until October, after which it shifted to a symbolic pattern of firing on odd-numbered days but not even-numbered ones, a practice that continued until 1979. This history is not only a collective memory for Kinmen; it is also a key node in the Cold War geopolitical landscape of East Asia in the twentieth century.

The plaza outside the museum displays physical weapons including M48 Patton tanks and 155mm long-range howitzers. Inside, the museum exhibits shell fragments, weapons, and historical photographs and documents from the era. The exhibition traces the course of the artillery battle along a timeline and includes records of civilian life in Kinmen during the bombardment, covering both military history and the everyday lives of ordinary people.

How to make the most of your visit

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Follow the exhibition halls in orderStart with the indoor timeline exhibition to build an understanding of the historical background of the artillery battle, then move to the outdoor plaza to examine the actual weapons — the context makes everything more meaningful.

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A close look at shell fragmentsThe museum preserves large quantities of shell casings and shrapnel — the steel used in Kinmen's famous kitchen knives comes from this very material. You can learn about the history of repurposing discarded wartime metal.

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Guided tour of the weapons plazaThe outdoor display includes M48 tanks and multiple artillery types. You can get up close to American-supplied Cold War weapons in person; the plaza is spacious and well suited for photographing.

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Compare with the geographic settingMaps inside the museum show the artillery positions and bombardment routes during the battle, helping you understand Kinmen's terrain and strategic depth — worth reading alongside a current map.

Practical information

Getting there and timing

The museum is located on Huanghai Road in Jinhu Township, about 5 minutes by car from the Jinhu Township town center. Self-rental vehicles are recommended; for bus schedules, check the latest Kinmen County bus timetables.
Please maintain quiet inside the museum. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours for a visit. Opening hours and admission fees are subject to official Kinmen County Government announcements — confirm before going.

Nearby connections

Can be connected with Taihu and Ronghu lakes to the west of the museum for a half-day Jinhu Township theme route.
If visiting Liaoluo Bay on the same day, drive about 10 minutes southeast from the museum to arrive there in time to catch the sunset.

Sources: Kinmen County Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kinmen County Government tourism information; artillery battle historical facts referenced from Ministry of National Defense historical documents, Republic of China. Photos to be replaced with Dio's own shots.

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