Kinmen sees a new wave of visitors from Shanghai as tourism resumes, with Chinese mainland travellers drawn to its historic villages, coastal scenery and cultural heritage.
The first group of tourists from Shanghai arrived in Kinmen on May 11th, marking the resumption of tourism exchanges between Shanghai and Kinmen.
Earlier, Shanghai’s culture and tourism authorities announced that residents could apply for group and independent travel to Kinmen and the Matsu Islands starting April 29th. Applications are handled through qualified travel agencies in Shanghai and Fujian Province.
Shanghai has also begun accepting travel permit applications for Kinmen and Matsu at all 20 exit-entry service centres. Residents with Shanghai household registration or residence permits can apply for travel endorsements and related documents with valid identification.
Meanwhile, interest in Kinmen tourism continues to grow among Chinese mainland travellers. According to Kinmen tourism authorities, more than 6,500 mainland visitors entered the island during the May Day holiday this year. Since the beginning of 2025, nearly 60,000 mainland travellers have visited Kinmen. Independent travellers make up the majority.
On Chinese lifestyle platform Xiaohongshu, “Kinmen travel” topics have attracted more than 50 million views. Many users share travel guides, café recommendations, and photography spots. This has helped turn Kinmen into a popular destination for younger travellers seeking a slower and more culture-focused getaway.
Kinmen is known for its rich cultural heritage and well-preserved historic atmosphere. Despite its small size, the island has many historic sites, traditional southern Fujian-style residences, and Baroque-inspired mansions. Visitors walking through old villages and coastal towns can see stone alleyways, ancestral homes, and century-old architecture. These reflect a blend of Fujian culture and maritime history.
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