Kinmen is an island that, once visited, is hard not to be captivated by its unique charm. Whether you fly with UNI Air or Mandarin Airlines, it takes only a short hour from the main island of Taiwan, and what greets your eyes are well-preserved traditional Minnan settlements, weathered and profound battlefield military relics, and rich and pure wetland ecology for migratory birds.
However, a considerable proportion of Kinmen’s prime attractions (including Taiwu Mountain, Guningtou, Cihu, Zhaishan Tunnel, Qionglin and Shuitou settlements, etc.) have been included within the jurisdiction of “Kinmen National Park.” As Taiwan’s first national park dedicated to preserving historical and cultural assets and commemorating battles, while also incorporating nature conservation, the park has clear legal codes of conduct. If you inadvertently violate them during your trip, you may face a fine of up to NT$3,000.
The Kinmen National Park Headquarters, in accordance with Article 13, Paragraph 8 of the National Park Act, has announced and published a table of fine amounts for prohibited matters within the area. Before setting off on your trip, please be sure to read the following 15 prohibited acts and penalty standards carefully, and be a civilized, law-abiding traveler.
1. Land Ecology and Public Order Regulations (First Offense NT$1,000, Second Offense and Above NT$3,000)
The following 8 regulations mainly target the land environment, ecological conservation, road traffic, and public order maintenance. If violated and caught, a first offense is fined NT$1,000, and a second or further violation is directly aggravated to a NT$3,000 fine:
1. Prohibited to Illegally Collect or Remove Protected Animals, Plants, and Historical Relics
It is strictly prohibited to capture, collect, display, sell, transport, or store animals, plants, minerals, historic relics, and their specimens or processed products that are prohibited or should be protected under the National Park Act and relevant laws and regulations.
- Travel Tip: Kinmen’s beautiful seashells, weathered basalt, battle memorial slogan bricks and tiles, or old objects in the settlements are all “for photographing only, strictly prohibited to take away.”
2. Prohibited to Bring Hunting Gear into the Park
It is strictly prohibited to bring any hunting gear capable of killing, injuring, or poisoning wild animals (such as animal traps, hunting rifles, trap nets, etc.) into the national park area.
3. Prohibited to Set Up Stalls or Peddle Illegally Outside Designated Areas
It is strictly prohibited to privately set up stalls or engage in mobile peddling in areas other than the designated shop sales areas within the park, in order to maintain the scenic environment and fair trade order.
4. Prohibited to Cook Outdoors, Barbecue, or Hold Campfires at Will
Except in legally announced and designated dedicated camping areas, it is strictly prohibited to barbecue, cook outdoors, or hold campfires in forest trails, old house settlements, around battlefield tunnels, or on beach areas, to prevent forest fires and disruption of environmental tranquility.
5. Prohibited to Park Illegally, Honk Horns, or Drive Dangerously
It is strictly prohibited to park illegally at will, maliciously honk for a long time, speed, or race within the park.
- Travel Tip: Kinmen is an important habitat for the protected wild animal the “Eurasian otter.” When renting a car and driving yourself at night around Taiwu Mountain or on lake and reservoir roads, be sure to slow down to avoid roadkill of wild animals.
6. Prohibited to Damage Public Safety and Public Interest Facilities
It is strictly prohibited to damage any items and public facilities that maintain public safety, public interest, or guide signage (such as firefighting equipment, trail railings, historical interpretation signs, and lighting systems).
7. Prohibited to Release, Abandon Animals, or Feed Wild Animals
Religious release and malicious abandonment of pets are strictly prohibited throughout the park, and it is also not allowed to feed wild animals (such as water birds and squirrels) bread or processed food at will, to avoid disrupting the natural ecological food chain balance.
8. Prohibited to Commit Other Violations Prohibited by Other Laws
Any illegal acts expressly prohibited by other current laws (such as the Waste Disposal Act and the Noise Control Act) are also prohibited and subject to joint penalties within the national park area.
2. Water Recreation Safety Regulations (Any Violation Is Directly Fined NT$3,000)
Kinmen is surrounded by the sea on all sides, with extremely large tidal ranges and surging undercurrents. In addition, the coastline still retains anti-landing military defense works such as the “dragon-teeth barriers,” making water activities carry considerable potential danger.
To protect the lives and safety of tourists and maintain coastal ecology, the Kinmen National Park Headquarters adopts highly strict management standards for water recreation. As long as you violate one of the following 7 water regulations, there is no need for persuasion—a direct fine of the maximum amount of NT$3,000 is imposed:
| Prohibited Item | Core Regulation and Safety Consideration | Consequence of Violation |
|---|---|---|
| 9. Engaging in water activities in unauthorized areas | Strictly prohibited to engage in swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and other recreational activities in dangerous sea areas, lakes, reservoirs, or streams outside the announced permitted range of the national park. | Directly fined NT$3,000 |
| 10. Engaging in unapproved activity items | Even within permitted areas, only recreation types formally reviewed and approved by the competent authority may be engaged in; extreme activities without reporting and approval are strictly prohibited. | Directly fined NT$3,000 |
| 11. Engaging in water activities during unauthorized time periods | Strictly prohibited to go into the sea at will outside the announced permitted time periods (such as at night, early morning, or during a sea warning). | Directly fined NT$3,000 |
| 12. Damaging the environmental landscape during activities | During water activities, it is strictly prohibited to dump garbage and waste, climb and damage coastal landforms, or damage battlefield coastal defense structures. | Directly fined NT$3,000 |
| 13. Collecting water organisms during activities | While playing in the water, paddleboarding, or recreating, it is strictly prohibited to collect or pick up any intertidal organisms, fish, shrimp, shellfish, agar, or wild seaweed. | Directly fined NT$3,000… |
Support Independent Perspectives & In-Depth Insights
Every thoughtful analysis and candid critique comes from our dedication to truth and quality. We choose not to follow sensational algorithms or clickbait headlines.
Sustaining independent research requires reader support. Make a one-time or monthly contribution, securely processed by Google.
Payments secured by Google · Manage or cancel anytime in your Google Account
Comments