Mt Taiwu


Peaking at 253m, Taiwu is less a mountain than an attractive hill ridge that forms Kinmen's east–west backbone. Knobbly patches of beige rock show through gaps in its mostly wooded flanks, which are traversed by footpaths linking viewpoints and assorted military remnants.

From the west, a road takes you up to a shrine and a 1952 soldiers' cemetery (gōng mù) from which the summit is another hour's stroll. Alternatively, from Caicuo Tourist Centre to the north is a longer, steeper hike that's been recently restored with signs and new steps. This Caicuo Ancient Path ( 蔡厝古道) is also known as the Tofu Trail, as walking food salesmen once used the route between Shanwai and Shamei.

Near the top of Mt Taiwu is a much photographed large boulder inscribed with one of Chiang Kai-shek's favourite one-liners, 'Wú Wàng Zài Jǔ' (勿忘在莒; Don't forget the days in Ju). Referencing a legend from the Warring States period in ancient China, this is a reminder not to forget the humiliation of losing the mainland, and an implied vow to 'recover' it.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. August 23 Artillery War Museum

1.7 MILES

Set in a beautifully peaceful garden of banyan trees, this engrossing bilingual museum documents the horrific 44-day bombardment in 1958 during which…

2. Military Brothel Exhibition Hall

2.6 MILES

This museum examines the rarely mentioned subject of officially-sanctioned prostitution to entertain military personnel. Euphemistically known as a …

3. Chen Ching Lan Mansion

2.76 MILES

Considered Kinmen's finest 'western-style' residence, this 1921 two-storey villa features stone arcade balconies from which you gaze down through parkland…

4. Shanhou Folk Culture Village

2.91 MILES

With a fine setting in a bowl of green slopes, Shanhou is one of the island's prettiest old villages with dozens of classic tile-roofed Fujian homes,…

5. Mt Lion Howitzer Station

2.91 MILES

Walk through a wide, 200m rock-hewn tunnel to reach the emplacement of a howitzer canon surveying a wide view towards distant China. Nothing is in English…

6. Qionglin Village

3.11 MILES

Qionglin (also written Cyonglin or Chiunglin) has 800 years of history, is famous for having more shrines than any other village on Kinmen and retains…

7. Maestro Wu Factory-Store

6.1 MILES

Kinmen's famous super-sharp knives are still fashioned from bomb casings at a display workshop at the back of this stylish Banglin boutique. Each shell…

8. Guningtou War Museum

6.43 MILES

For domestic tourists, this is one of Kinmen's top sights due to the pivotal nature of a battle fought here over 56 hours in October 1949. For outsiders,…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "taiwan/taiwans-islands/kinmen/attractions/mt-taiwu/a/poi-sig/1358533/357558",
      "position": "superzone"
    }