Chinese tourists no longer come to Japan to play! Mainland tourists surge into 'Taiwan 2 counties and cities' to 300,000 people, scenic spots with special convenient transportation and delicious food are very popular

The issue of cross-strait tourism has once again attracted attention. The Kuomintang recently proposed the resumption of the 'Penghu Small Three Links' concept, and the Taiwan Affairs Office responded by expressing that the public welcomes traveling to various places in Taiwan, including Penghu, and also called for the early resumption of travel arrangements to Taiwan. At the same time, the Chinese government pointed out that the number of Shanghai and Fujian residents visiting Kinmen and Matsu has exceeded 300,000, showing that Kinmen and Matsu have become important hubs for the resumption of cross-strait tourism exchanges. The Taiwan Affairs Office also emphasized that it will continue to promote cross-strait tourism cooperation and promote two-way tourism exchanges, hoping to further smooth the cross-strait tourism channel. Kinmen and Matsu attract more than 300,000 Chinese tourists Small Three Links tourism continues to grow The Kuomintang recently held a Central Standing Committee meeting in Penghu, during which it proposed the resumption of the Penghu Small Three Links concept, hoping to revitalize local tourism and industrial development through the resumption of sea and air direct flights and bring more tourism business opportunities to Penghu. In response, Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said at a regular press conference on the 15th that the 'Small Three Links' is an important channel for cross-strait exchanges and an important means of maintaining exchanges. According to data released by the Taiwan Affairs Office, as of the end of June 2026, the Small Three Links have cumulatively transported more than 27 million passengers since its establishment, and in the first half of 2026 alone, it has exceeded 1.15 million, continuously driving cross-strait passenger flow and tourism development. Zhu Fenglian also said that the Chinese side is actively restoring Shanghai and Fujian residents' tourism to Kinmen and Matsu, and the cumulative number of tourists has now exceeded 300,000. Hopes for the resumption of Penghu tourism Taiwan Affairs Office: The public is willing to travel to various places in Taiwan Regarding the question of whether there is a chance for the Penghu Small Three Links to resume, Zhu Fenglian said that when mentioning Penghu, many people will think of famous scenic spots such as 'Grandma's Penghu Bay', Qimei Double Heart Stone, and Penghu Tianhou Palace. The public has a high willingness to travel to Penghu and other regions in Taiwan. She believes that the main factor currently affecting the resumption of cross-strait tourism is that the Taiwanese side has not yet fully opened up tourism to mainland residents. Therefore, she calls for the relevant restrictions to be lifted as soon as possible, allowing the cross-strait tourism market to resume normal exchanges. In addition, the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism recently issued the 'Tourism Strong Country Construction '14th Five-Year Plan'', which also lists the promotion of cross-strait tourism cooperation and youth exchanges as an important direction. The Taiwan Affairs Office said that in the future, it will continue to promote two-way tourism between the two sides and promote people-to-people exchanges through tourism exchanges. Why do Chinese tourists prefer Kinmen and Matsu? Convenient transportation and cultural proximity are the keys In recent years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Kinmen and Matsu has continued to increase. In addition to the gradual resumption of the Small Three Links, it is also related to the special geographical location and tourism characteristics of the two places. First of all, Kinmen and Matsu are very close to the coast of Fujian, with short travel time. For tourists from Fujian and Shanghai, they are one of the easiest Taiwanese islands to reach. Through the Small Three Links, whether in terms of transportation costs or time, it is more convenient than going to the main island of Taiwan. Secondly, Kinmen and Matsu have preserved rich Minnan culture and wartime historical landscapes, including cluster architecture, ancestral hall culture, tunnels, and military relics, all of which have distinctive characteristics and attract many Chinese tourists to experience different humanistic scenery. In addition, Kinmen high-quality liquor, characteristic souvenirs, local delicacies, and duty-free shopping are also important factors in attracting tourists. Many tourists will arrange short-term itineraries while taking into account sightseeing, shopping, and food experiences. Tourism industry analysts believe that compared to traveling to the main island of Taiwan, which is still subject to policy restrictions, Kinmen and Matsu have resumed tourism earlier and, combined with convenient transportation and cultural proximity, have gradually become an important gateway for Chinese tourists to travel to Taiwan. If cross-strait tourism policies continue to be relaxed in the future, whether the tourism flow to Kinmen, Matsu, and other islands will further grow will also be closely watched by the market.