Kinmen lit up with excitement this weekend as the island greeted its first tourist group from the Chinese mainland since 2019! 🎊 Over 20 travelers arrived by boat from Xiamen, Fujian Province, kicking off a fresh chapter in cross-strait cultural exchange.
🔑 Why it matters: This trip follows August's policy shift allowing Fujian residents to visit Kinmen again – a move locals hope will revive tourism and strengthen regional ties. The Kinmen County government rolled out the red carpet (literally!) with lion dances and banners at the port.
🗣️ 'We want visitors to become Kinmen ambassadors,' said tourism chief Hsu Chi-hsin, highlighting hopes for increased mainland tourism. The group will explore historic sites and local cuisine during their 48-hour stay 🏯🍜.
💡 Bigger picture: Kinmen legislator Chen Yu-jen urged Taiwan authorities to reciprocate by lifting mainland travel bans. The development comes as cultural exchanges slowly rebound post-pandemic, offering new opportunities for economic and social connections across the Taiwan Strait.
