Kinmen (1): Oh Boy, Where to Start?

[Eunice Rutherford]

Hello everyone! This time, we rented a car and spent two days in Kinmen, originally expecting it to be a happy journey, but… there were some experiences that were hard to describe!

Regarding dining, there are a few things we wanted to bring up:

• Firstly, the service attitude of some restaurants in Kinmen was rather… underwhelming. It felt like the owners were not enthusiastic, saying something along the lines of "eat or don't eat." This was quite common among several places.
• On March 2nd, around one o'clock pm, when looking for food, several restaurants told us they weren't serving, perhaps because they didn't want us to bother them during their rest. I really enjoyed holding cash but not getting any smiles or better services! I wasn’t asking for free food, ha!
• The food in Kinmen has a tendency to be slightly sweeter than expected.
• ️ Be careful with "free" appetizers:
  • A particular mention is the "Zhongli Beef Noodles" in a small alley (I am unable to type this in traditional Chinese characters). The owner initially claimed the appetizers were complimentary and directed us to help ourselves. Upon settling the bill, the owner stated we would have to pay for those items; although the cost was minimal, it felt unpleasant.
  • Suggestion: Clear what is to be paid for and what is complimentary before dining to avoid any unpleasantness.

Weather was very important!

• ️ Important reminder: Check weather! Check weather! Check weather!
  • Be sure to check the weather forecast when initiating the trip. It would be great to travel during good continuous sunny weather.
  • We experienced a large loss due to fog (springtime in Kinmen island leads to a lot of mist along beaches), resulting in an additional stay in Kinmen. Due to the cancellation of a ferry trip, we could not get back to Xiamen (a city in mainland China close to Kinmen). It was utterly stressful!

Disappointment and delight concerning Kinmen’s food:

• Regretfully, we did not try the highly regarded "Michelin Croissant," as advance reservation was essential, and I forgot to reserve. It would be recommended to schedule early if you wish to indulge in it!
• However, the chicken cutlet bought casually from roadside vendors turned out to be surprisingly yummy! It was a large and tasty piece! I witnessed it near a milk tea shop, so keep your eyes peeled as well.

Accommodation and impressions of Kinmen:

• For accommodation, we stayed at Rujia Homestay in Jincheng Town (the main town in Kinmen), where the rooms were spacious and clean, deserving a thumbs up!
• However, overall, Kinmen felt less bustling compared to a quiet village and lacked night-time entertainment. The amenities nearby our stay were limited, making it hard to find a convenience store for snacks or drinks.
• There was hardly anyone seen on the streets, and the residents' homes were very still. I wondered if everyone doesn't leave home for some sort of activities? It is also difficult to spot someone just strolling in their own courtyards. However, people met near the homestay were extremely amiable and would naturally converse with us!

Little episode about documents:

• ️ Emergency response: "Entry Permit" lost in Kinmen?
  • The "Permission to Enter Kinmen" is a license needed for entry (similar to a permit). Should you lose it in Kinmen, don't panic!
  • Simply go to the Immigration Bureau at the dock (similar to an immigration management office) to process the replacement. The personnel there are usually warm and helpful, capable of handling the situation swiftly.
  • However, please try to arrange sufficient buffer time! We were almost stuck in Kinmen due to missing the boat because of this.
  • If we had spent a minute more, we would likely be staying in Kinmen for one more day. The ferry leaving for Xiamen port Wu Tong was set for 10:30am, but once we finally arrived and heard the broadcast of cancellation due to weather, it felt terrifyingly close!