Baba Tunnel was completed in 1974 and named because its inauguration happened to coincide with Chiang Kai-shek's 88th birthday ("baba" means 88 in Chinese). The 273-meter tunnel was carved into the granite hillside of Fuxing Village on Nangan. After the end of military administration, the Matsu Distillery recognized the tunnel's year-round constant temperature and humidity as ideal for storing kaoliang liquor, converting it into a wine cellar. Military heritage and local liquor culture now intersect here, creating a uniquely Matsu industrial landscape.
What to See at Baba Tunnel
The tunnel was carved into a granite hillside, comprising a main tunnel and several branch tunnels totaling 273 meters in length; hand-carved tool marks remain visible on the walls. Construction took place during the most tense period of cross-strait confrontation, and the tunnel's military purpose ended with the lifting of wartime administration. After military governance ended in 1992, the Matsu Distillery moved in, transforming the tunnel into a storage space and using the granite's natural insulating properties to preserve aged kaoliang liquor.
Walking through the tunnel, you see large ceramic crocks lined up neatly on both sides, each bearing a vintage label; the oldest aged liquors stand in silent rows. The temperature inside is noticeably cooler than outside, and the air carries the distinctive aroma of kaoliang. This experience of "military heritage as wine cellar" is utterly unique in Taiwan. A Matsu Distillery shop near the tunnel exit offers old vintages and souvenirs for purchase; local dishes such as old-wine noodles (laojiou mianxian) also use the Baba Tunnel-cellared liquor as an ingredient.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Visit
Practical Information
Getting There & Timing
- To reach Nangan, take the Taiwan–Matsu ferry (departing Keelung) or fly (Songshan / Taipei to Nangan). Sailings and flights are easily affected by weather; check official announcements from Taiwan Navigation Co. or the Civil Aviation Administration before departure.
- Baba Tunnel is in Fuxing Village; about 10–15 minutes by taxi or rented scooter from Nangan Airport or Fuao Harbor.
- For opening hours and cellar sale events, check the Matsu Distillery's official announcements.
Nearby Connections
- The "Zhengegedaidan" stone inscription is near Fuao Harbor, on a hilltop — recommended as the first stop after arriving by ferry.
- Yuntai Mountain lookout is on the central ridge of Nangan; it can follow Baba Tunnel as a hilltop viewing segment of the day's itinerary.
Source: Lienchiang County Government Tourism Bureau, Matsu Distillery official website. Photos pending Dio's field photography.