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The former commercial port, Qiaozai Fishing Village, is a small village located in the northwest of Beigan within a valley on the north-facing slope of Bishan Mountain. The valley has been carved by rainfall into crisscrossing ravines, with many small bridges found throughout the village. The local Hsaikian dialect word「-zai」means「small」, hence the name 「Qiaozai」. In its heyday, Qiaozai benefited from abundant fish and salt resources and served as a transshipment port for commerce with the Chinese mainland. With merchant vessels frequenting the port, the population exceeded a thousand, making it the largest village in northern Beigan. Qiaozai's architecture preserves typical Fujian-style building characteristics and is known as a "Temple Village" being the settlement with the most temples in the entire Matsu Archipelago. However, due to significant population outmigration, prosperity no longer exists. Currently, the village has fewer residents, creating an intriguing situation where「more gods than people」reside here. Visitors can still appreciate the exquisite features of traditional Matsu temples including red walls, green tiles, and flame-shaped finial ridges. At the village center, a unique「three temples in one」site is visible. Boat Cruises for Deer Encounters The Qiaozai harbor has a simple dock at the left side of the harbor mouth. Historically Qiaozai served as a supply port for the more "forward" islands of Gao Deng and Liang Dao in northern Beigan. During peak tourist season, there are fixed ferries running for 5 minutes from Qiaozai to Dapu Island for visitors to explore the serene island and track down indigenous Formosan sika deer. Fishing Village Museum Even though the once-prosperous Qiaozai has declined, the Fishing Village Museum reveals its former glory. The museum displays traditional fishing methods, boats, fishing gear and shaoxie processing techniques created collectively by villagers. Due to salt's importance in preserving fishery products, in Qing Dynasty Tongzhi Year 8 the authorities erected huge "salt steles" at Taqui and Qiaozai to prevent salt bandit exploitation of fishermen. One surviving stele is preserved at the Qiaozai Fishing Village Museum. Address: No.109-1 Zhiao-Tsu Village, Pei-Gan Township, Lianjiang County Opening Hours: 08:30-17:00 Chilled Golden Dumplings Exclusive Matsu dessert delicacy Golden dumplings are small bite-sized sweet treats favored by Matsu residents. These are made with taro filling - in summer they're served cold with green bean soup and ice cubes for a chewy, refreshing bite. In winter they're warm with red bean soup for a comforting warmth. This delicious Matsu specialty is equally enjoyable in cold or hot forms - definitely worth tasting.