Chinese Tourists Skip Japan and South Korea, Flock to This Taiwanese County—Surging to 190,000 Visitors with Easy Free Travel and Rich Culinary Experiences

Kinmen's mini-three links ferry routes are showing strong signs of recovery. By the end of June 2026, the cumulative number of inbound and outbound passengers via the Kinmen-Xiamen-Quanzhou mini-three links routes has surpassed 1.08 million, a year-on-year increase of over 25% compared to the same period in 2025. As of June 2026, mainland Chinese tourists holding tourist visas to visit Kinmen have reached 89,540. With the arrival of peak holiday seasons, the Kinmen-Xiamen route operates at full capacity on its 24 daily ferry trips, often leading to a 'sold-out' situation on weekends. Ahead of the upcoming Chinese National Day Golden Week and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Kinmen is expected to welcome another surge in mainland tourist arrivals.

Kinmen's mini-three links passenger volume soars to 1.08 million in just six months! Independent travel among mainland tourists reaches 95%, with over 80,000 visiting in the first half of 2026.

According to news data from the Kinmen County Tourism Department, reviewing 2025's full-year figures, the cumulative number of inbound and outbound passengers on the Kinmen-Xiamen-Quanzhou mini-three links routes exceeded 1.84 million, recovering to over 90% of pre-pandemic peak levels. Mainland Chinese tourists holding tourist visas to Kinmen totaled approximately 190,000 in 2025. The growth trend in 2026 has become even more significant, with passenger volume surpassing the one-million mark in just six months. In the past ten days alone, the daily average has reached 6,800 passengers. Current passenger composition and characteristics show clear differences:

• Taiwanese travelers: accounting for 78.95%, they remain the primary user group of the mini-three links routes. • Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong/Macau travelers: approximately 19.74%, including 89,540 mainland tourists holding tourist visas to visit Kinmen. • Foreign travelers: about 1.31%, maintaining steady, modest growth. • Mainland tourist travel patterns: independent travel (individual tourism) accounts for over 96%, while group tours make up less than 4%.

Kinmen prepares for the National Day Golden Week! Safety management for rented 'mini e-donkeys' fully upgraded

According to a September report in the Kinmen Daily, with the upcoming National Day Golden Week and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Kinmen is expected to experience another peak in mainland tourist arrivals. During the 2025 National Day 8-day holiday, mini-three links round-trip passenger volume reached 45,774, with pure mainland tourists entering and exiting Kinmen on tourist visas exceeding 10,000. Last year's National Day holiday also saw a large number of Taiwanese traveling via the mini-three links to Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou for tourism and shopping. To meet the high local transportation demand from independent mainland tourists, the Kinmen County Government has launched proactive measures, convening the police department, motor vehicle office, consumer protection officers, and rental operators to discuss safety regulations for micro electric two-wheelers (mini e-donkeys). Additionally, standardized rental contracts, clear safety warnings for tourists, and a comprehensive accident response mechanism are being established. In collaboration with township offices, accommodations, dining, and tourist attractions are being comprehensively optimized to leverage the tourism spillover effect from Xiamen and Quanzhou, capturing cross-strait tourism benefits.

Why do mainland Chinese tourists love visiting Kinmen?

Mainland Chinese tourists (referred to as 'Lu Ke') are particularly fond of Kinmen for several key reasons: its proximity, convenient consumption, unique military and traditional culture, and the micro-tourism advantages offered by the 'mini-three links' policy.

1. 30-minute 'Xiamen-Kinmen one-day living circle'—fast and low-cost transportation: The journey from Xiamen's Wutong Pier to Kinmen's Shuitou Pier via the 'mini-three links' ferry takes only 30 minutes. Weekend getaways: For residents of Fujian (especially Xiamen, Quanzhou, and Zhangzhou), visiting Kinmen is even more convenient than traveling to neighboring provinces, making it ideal for 'day trips' or 'two-day, one-night' weekend micro-trips.

2. Unique military landscapes and military curiosities—mysterious historical sites: For mainland tourists, Kinmen offers Cold War-era military relics not seen on the mainland, such as the Zhaishan Tunnel, Shishan Artillery Position (with live cannon demonstrations), Guningtou Battle Museum, and propaganda broadcast stations, providing strong novelty and exploratory value.

3. Well-preserved Minnan traditional courtyard houses and overseas Chinese architectural clusters: Kinmen retains exceptionally intact Minnan traditional villages (e.g., Shuitou Village, Zhushan Village) and overseas Chinese cultural architecture blending Western-style buildings, creating a unique atmosphere that blends exotic charm with nostalgia.

4. Specialty products and duty-free shopping—authentic Taiwanese souvenirs: Kinmen Kaoliang liquor, peanut candy (guntang), beef jerky, and handmade noodles are must-buy classic souvenirs for mainland tourists. Duty-free and beauty/pharmacy shopping: Many mainland tourists specifically visit Sheng Heng Chang Duty-Free Shop or local beauty and pharmacy stores to purchase imported skincare products, daily necessities, and Taiwan specialty goods, which offer competitive prices and quality assurance.

5. Policy and visa advantages—convenience of the mini-three links: Compared to traveling to Taiwan's main island, which requires longer flights and more complex entry procedures, accessing Kinmen via the 'mini-three links' offers relatively faster and simpler visa and travel permit processing, making it the lowest-barrier destination for mainland tourists to experience 'Taiwan's local flavor'.

Kinmen Mini-Three Links Route Operations and Passenger Composition Summary Table

Statistical Item 2025 Full-Year Data 2026 First Half (as of June) Operational and Trend Highlights Total Round-Trip Passengers 1.84 million (90% of pre-pandemic peak) 1.08 million (over 25% annual increase) 24 daily trips frequently full; urgent need for capacity expansion Taiwanese Passenger Share 73.77% 78.95% Strong cross-strait travel and transit demand Mainland/Hong Kong/Macau Share 24.86% 19.74% Tourist visa mainland visitors reached 89,540 Mainland Tourist Travel Pattern Independent travel 95.67% / Group tours 4.33% Over 96% independent travel Independent travel dominates, driving demand for micro electric vehicle rentals

Q1: How many passengers used the Kinmen mini-three links in 2026? Are tickets easy to get during peak times? As of June 2026, cumulative mini-three links passenger volume has surpassed 1.08 million, a year-on-year increase of over 25%. Due to frequent full capacity on the 24 daily trips during summer and holidays, travelers are advised to book tickets in advance.

Q2: Are there many mainland Chinese tourists visiting Kinmen now? Are most of them independent travelers? Yes, very many! In the first half of 2026, mainland tourists holding tourist visas to Kinmen reached 89,540, with over 96% being independent travelers. Group tour participation is extremely low.

Q3: Will the Kinmen mini-three links be overcrowded during China's National Day Golden Week? A peak in passenger volume is expected. Based on past data, during the National Day holiday, mini-three links round-trip volume can reach tens of thousands, with daily inbound mainland tourists often exceeding several thousand. Both ferry routes and local accommodations are highly popular.