Jincheng Old Street is the commercial district of Jincheng Township, Kinmen's county seat; its core section, Mofan Street, was built in 1925 with funds raised from overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia by chamber-of-commerce head Fu Xiqi and was designated a historic building in 2003, making it one of Kinmen's best-preserved red-brick arcade streets. It remains the most concentrated shopping area for Kinmen's two signature products: cleavers forged from 823 Artillery Battle shell steel, and peanut gong tang candy.
According to Wikipedia's entry on Mofan Street, it was funded through 1924–1925 fundraising among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia by chamber-of-commerce head Fu Xiqi, completed in 1925, and registered as a historic building in 2003; the raw material for the cleavers traces back to artillery shell steel that fell on Kinmen during the 1958 Battle of 823.
Highlights of Jincheng Old Street
Mofan Street is the best-preserved core section of Jincheng Old Street, with a continuous arcade corridor and brick arched facades retaining the language of traditional commercial street architecture. Long-established shops include herbal medicine stores, pastry shops, and noodle restaurants, some of which have been in operation for several decades or more. The area blends daily local life with tourism functions.
The raw material for forging the cleavers is the steel from artillery shells that landed on Kinmen during the Battle of 823. Current steel stocks are limited, and availability varies between shops. Gong tang is a unique Kinmen peanut brittle with a crumbly texture; recipes differ slightly from shop to shop. The old street also has a concentration of shops selling Kaoliang liquor-related goods.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Hours
- Jincheng Old Street is at the heart of Jincheng Town and can be connected on foot to Juguang Tower and the Kinmen Distillery Jincheng Plant, making it well-suited for a half-day walking circuit.
- Crowds concentrate on weekend mornings. For popular items like cleavers, arriving early is recommended as some items may sell out.
Nearby Connections
- Juguang Tower is about a 5-minute walk away and makes a natural starting point for a tour of Jincheng Town.
- The Kinmen Distillery Jincheng Plant is also within walking distance of the town center, where you can follow up your old-street visit with a distillery tour and Kaoliang liquor shopping.
Sources: Kinmen County Government; Wikipedia entry on Jincheng Township. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Mofan Street built?
It was funded and built between 1924 and 1925 by chamber-of-commerce head Fu Xiqi, completed in 1925, and registered as a historic building in 2003.
What local specialties can be bought on Jincheng Old Street?
Cleavers forged from 823 Artillery Battle shell steel and peanut gong tang candy are the two most sought-after items.
Where does the raw material for the cleavers come from?
It comes from artillery shell steel that fell on Kinmen during the 1958 Battle of 823, and current stocks are limited.
What are the architectural features of Jincheng Old Street?
Mofan Street features continuous red-brick arcades blending Japanese, Minnan, and Southeast Asian architectural styles.