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Shining Golden Light of Jinsa, the Back Garden of Nangang, Matsu When it comes to classic clusters of stone houses, Beigan has Qinbi, while Nangang showcases Jinsa. The Jinsa settlement is located at the foot of Yuntai Mountain, at Wanyao—a bay at the southwest corner of Nangang Island. Being the most southern village on Nangang Island, it's the closest to the mainland. Previously called Jinsha due to the golden sands along the coastline, it is now known as Jinsa. Renowned for its well-preserved ancient stone houses, Jinsa is an excellent spot for sunset views and beach strolls. After centuries of cultural heritage, though many buildings today appear weathered and aged, they still maintain a sense of rustic beauty. This settlement consists of four areas: Aozhong, East Mountain, West Mountain, and Xidi. Since the late Qing Dynasty, residents from Lianjiang, Changle, and Langqi Island gradually moved here. It is the location in Matsu with the most inhabitants originally hailing from Lianjiang County on the mainland. In early times, the area thrived in fishing. Apart from sea harvesting, villagers were also engaged in brewing, pharmacies, and other businesses, making them the second-largest village in Nangang. A private school was once established, fostering a strong scholarly atmosphere. During wartime, the Japanese occupied the “Ya Lu” building on West Mountain to control access through the Minjiang River mouth. Meanwhile, nearby fishing grounds were damaged, prompting many residents to leave. Under the efforts of the County Government and the local community development association in recent years, the dilapidated old houses have been revitalized into charming wine bars and bed-and-breakfast establishments, breathing new life into them. Walking through the ancient alleyways, each turn presents new scenery. A notable sight is the century-old banyan tree within the area, which is an unmissable attraction. On the West Mountain stone steps, the fascinating cluster of ancient houses, built along the mountain wall, forms a tiered settlement resembling a mountain city. The renewal and activation of idle spaces throughout the settlement have transformed Jinsa into a vibrant town on Matsu. Coastal Camouflage Scenery – Fortress Convenience Store A building painted in camouflage patterns can be found along the seawall. Converted from an old air-raid shelter into a restroom with a new name “Fortress Convenience Store,” it's convenient for tourists to clean up after playing on the beach. Jinsa Fine Alcohol – The Aroma of Wine Fills the Alleyways Jinsa Village is famous for its brewed aged wine. Rows of orderly arranged wine jars decorate the stone wall at the entrance to the settlement. Delightful wine made from naturally sweet well water and various savory dishes enhanced with red glutinous rice—foodies absolutely should not miss this. The Only Black-Faced Matsu in All Matsu Jinsa Matsu Temple is the spiritual center for the village, one of the three major Matsu temples in Nangang. Unlike the young girl-like Matsu statue at Jinshaoguan Temple or the pink-faced Matsu at Matsu Temple, the temple at Jinsa enshrines the sole “black-faced Matsu” on all of Matsu. Legend tells that the temple originally enshrined a pink-faced Matsu, but when rebuilding the temple, the sculptor was guided by a dream where Matsu appeared with a black face. Following this vision, the village elders requested the black-faced Matsu be crafted as depicted.