Kinmen County Islands, Taiwan
Updated August 26, 2024
Kinmen County Islands, Taiwan.
We see two islands Kinmen and Lieyu, connected by a 3-mile causeway. The islands are 115.2 miles from Taiwan (Yunlin County) and 2.93 miles from Xiamen and mainland China (2.93 miles from Xiamen, and 7.3 miles across Weitou Bay from Jinjingzhen, China). Google Earth imagery from 7/27/2021 for Lieyu and 1/5/2024 for Kinmen.
In the first picture, you can see the relative positioning of these islands between PRC and ROC. From this 'elevation' it is not so easy to find it just off the coast between Quanzhou and Zhangzhou.
Kinmen County Islands, Taiwan.
We see two islands Kinmen and Lieyu, connected by a 3-mile causeway. The islands are 115.2 miles from Taiwan (Yunlin County) and 2.93 miles from Xiamen and mainland China (2.93 miles from Xiamen, and 7.3 miles across Weitou Bay from Jinjingzhen, China). Google Earth imagery from 7/27/2021 for Lieyu and 1/5/2024 for Kinmen.
In the first picture, you can see the relative positioning of these islands between PRC and ROC. From this 'elevation' it is not so easy to find it just off the coast between Quanzhou and Zhangzhou.
The main island looks like a bow-tie and is connected by causeway to the island just to the left in the photo. It is to the east (or to the right) of Xiamen Island, PRC. The main island is 12.56 miles in diameter, and is home to museums, parks, a large civilian population, commercial ports, beaches, forts and observation points. There is even a Chaste Maiden Temple on Lieyu, along with many forts and museums.
We read that Taiwan protects the approaches to the island (like a customs fence), and recently in February 2024 the first fatality occurred (source: Bloomberg) on that watery customs and fishing fence when a speed boat approached the island (4 sailors on board), two drowned when the boat capsized and two were taken into custody. It wasn't a traditional fishing boat, which normally stops and is allowed to be searched, but a speedboat. Taiwan prohibits fishing and dredging of sand from the islands, and there is a history of fishing for yellow croaker in September and the mid-Autumn festival, according to the Taipei Times. That is a very valuable, small fish to catch and sell.
We read that Taiwan protects the approaches to the island (like a customs fence), and recently in February 2024 the first fatality occurred (source: Bloomberg) on that watery customs and fishing fence when a speed boat approached the island (4 sailors on board), two drowned when the boat capsized and two were taken into custody. It wasn't a traditional fishing boat, which normally stops and is allowed to be searched, but a speedboat. Taiwan prohibits fishing and dredging of sand from the islands, and there is a history of fishing for yellow croaker in September and the mid-Autumn festival, according to the Taipei Times. That is a very valuable, small fish to catch and sell.
The airport has a runway that is 2.18 miles in length. Location: 24°25'03"N 118°22'33"E.
Google Earth Satellite Imagery is dated: 8/26/2022 for the airport and islands.
Google Earth Satellite Imagery is dated: 8/26/2022 for the airport and islands.
Kinmen County, two primary islands, just south of Xiamen. Sentinel-2 L2A True Color, 8/25/2024.
Area
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Taiwan Strait
Penghu County
Chiayi County, Taiwan
27
23°29'04"N 119°41'29"E
11.75
12/14/2015
Yes, two airports
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Sure
No
No
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Taiwan Strait
Penghu County
Chiayi County, Taiwan
27
23°29'04"N 119°41'29"E
11.75
12/14/2015
Yes, two airports
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Sure
No
No