Dongyin Island, Military island in Matsu Islands, Taiwan
Dongyin Island is an island group in the Matsu Islands archipelago off Taiwan, consisting of several smaller islands with rocky shorelines, steep cliffs, and natural sea caves. The landscape displays distinctive rock formations shaped over centuries by wave action and weathering.
The island group became a key navigation point after a ship ran aground in 1904, leading to the construction of a lighthouse to guide vessels. Military installations were later built here to defend Taiwan's northern waters.
The island's population maintains Eastern Min traditions while adapting to a military presence that has influenced local customs since World War II.
Getting here requires taking a ferry from Nangan or Keelung, a journey that takes several hours. Once there, taxis and scooters serve as the main ways to move around the islands.
Beneath the island surface runs an extensive tunnel network containing military facilities built as part of Cold War defense strategy. These underground installations reveal how Taiwan fortified its northern approaches during decades of tension.
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