Andong Tunnel was hand-excavated by soldiers stationed on Dongyin. The tunnel descends about four hundred steps to an underground complex of military facilities, including an ammunition depot, sleeping quarters, a dock, and connecting passageways. The total length is approximately 300 meters, making it the largest wartime tunnel on Dongyin. Opened to visitors in 2004, it allows guests to experience firsthand the living spaces and combat-readiness environment in which soldiers once kept watch underground.
Highlights of Andong Tunnel
Dongyin Island, located at the northernmost point of Taiwan and closest to the Chinese mainland, was an important military frontline during the Cold War. Andong Tunnel was excavated entirely by the manual labor of stationed soldiers, driving steel chisels into granite, over the course of many years. The tunnel system was designed to be self-sufficient for combat operations: the underground dock could berth small vessels for covert resupply; the ammunition depot maintained a constant temperature; sleeping quarters were arranged compactly to house large numbers of soldiers for extended periods.
Stepping into the tunnel, the temperature drops noticeably below that outside. The rock walls are damp, the lighting dim, and the space narrow. The four-hundred-step descent is itself a way of experiencing history: each step affirms the hardship soldiers endured while excavating, and the isolation of life on a wartime island. At the bottom, the underground dock opens directly to the sea — you can see waves breaking among the reefs, with light filtering in from the sea entrance, a rare brightness in the otherwise dark tunnel.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There and Time Needed
- To reach Dongyin, take the Taima Ferry or fast ferry from Fuao Harbor on Nangan. Journey time is approximately 2 to 3 hours by fast ferry or longer; schedules are significantly affected by weather. Check the latest timetable with the official Taima Ferry service.
- Scooters are available to rent on Dongyin Island. Andong Tunnel is not far from the main settlement area at Zhongzhu Harbor — follow the road signs after renting.
- The tunnel has set opening hours. Confirm the day's access status with the Dongyin Township Office or posted signs at the site before entering.
Nearby Connections
- Can be combined with Dongyin Lighthouse, Lienyu Yijing, Dongyin Sky Crevice, and Northern Frontier Monument for a one- or two-day Dongyin itinerary. All attractions are within scooter range.
- Zhongcheng Gate (the East-West Dongyin Cross-Sea Bridge) is closest to Zhongzhu Harbor and can serve as your first stop upon arriving on Dongyin.
Source: Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, Lienchiang County Government Dongyin Township Office. Photos pending Dio's on-site shots.