Shi Islet, Strategic island in Kinmen County, Taiwan.
Shi Islet is a small island in Kinmen County off Taiwan's coast, located about 1 kilometer from Lesser Kinmen Island and roughly 4 kilometers from Xiamen. The tiny landmass has a surface area of about 0.007 square kilometers and is dominated by military infrastructure.
The island was renamed from Shu Islet to Shi Islet in 1960 during Chiang Ching-kuo's inspection visits to regional military facilities. This change was part of broader administrative reorganization of military-controlled territories in the strait region.
Military personnel stationed on this small territory maintain constant observation of maritime activities and unauthorized approaches in the surrounding waters.
Access requires coordination with local authorities and depends heavily on weather conditions since the area is designated as a military restricted zone. Visitors should expect that accessibility and visiting opportunities may be significantly limited.
At low tide, natural walkways emerge that allow passage to the neighboring Jiangong Islet and reveal remnants of former military fortifications. These temporary paths offer insights into the geology and military past of the region.
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