Zhaishan Tunnel is a wartime waterway that Kinmen soldiers hand-carved into a granite formation starting in 1961, completing the 357-meter A-shaped tunnel after five years in 1966; it opened to the public in July 1998. The passage was designed to let small landing craft slip in and out for covert resupply, and after the Cold War it was repurposed as an underground concert hall, now a one-of-a-kind historical site in Kinmen.
According to the Tourism Administration's official information, Zhaishan Tunnel was excavated starting in 1961 and took five years to complete in 1966; the A-shaped waterway is 357 meters long, about 11.5 meters wide, and about 8 meters high, and it opened to the public in July 1998.
Highlights of Zhaishan Tunnel
The tunnel consists of an A-shaped waterway tunnel and a land passage. The A-shaped waterway is approximately 101 meters long and tall enough to accommodate small boats. The rock walls preserve the tool marks left by hand-carving, making them direct physical evidence of military engineering history. The entire project was completed by a large workforce under extremely demanding conditions in a very short time.
After the tunnel was opened to tourism, it began hosting regular music concerts, and the natural reverberation of the granite cavern gives the sound a unique acoustic character. Even outside of performance times, visitors can walk inside to experience the tunnel's scale and observe the water level and rock wall texture. The exhibition area displays historical materials about the tunnel's construction, explaining its building background and military function.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Zhaishan Tunnel is located near Gugang Lake in the southwest of Jincheng Township, about 4 km from Jincheng Town center. Driving or renting a vehicle is the most convenient option.
- Opening hours and admission fees are subject to official announcements from the Kinmen National Park Headquarters. Some time slots may be closed to general visitors due to maintenance or performances.
Nearby Connections
- The Gugang Lake Trail is near the tunnel and can be visited on the same trip. The lake scenery offers a natural contrast to the military atmosphere of the tunnel.
- Shuitou Village and Shuitou Pier are in the same direction, and can be combined with Zhaishan Tunnel into a half-day route.
Sources: Kinmen National Park Headquarters; Wikipedia entry on Zhaishan Tunnel. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zhaishan Tunnel excavated and completed?
It was excavated starting in 1961 and completed after five years in 1966.
How long is Zhaishan Tunnel?
The A-shaped waterway is 357 meters long, about 11.5 meters wide, and about 8 meters high.
When did Zhaishan Tunnel open to visitors?
It officially opened to the public in July 1998.
What was Zhaishan Tunnel originally used for?
It was designed for small landing craft to enter and exit covertly for wartime resupply.
Sources
- 翟山坑道｜交通部觀光署 — 1961年開挖、1966年完工、A字水道357公尺、1998年開放