From Cold War Defense to Musical Haven: Taiwan's Historic Zhaishan Tunnel Transforms into Unique Concert Venue

Taiwanese opera performer Wei Hai-min delivers a captivating performance while floating on a raft inside the historic Zhaishan Tunnel.

In Kinmen, Taiwan, a military tunnel originally constructed during the Cold War era has been transformed into an extraordinary concert venue. The Zhaishan Tunnel, once designed to protect supply vessels from Chinese artillery, now resonates with beautiful melodies during the annual Kinmen Tunnel Music Festival.

Located on Kinmen island, which sits adjacent to the Chinese mainland near Xiamen and Quanzhou cities, this remarkable tunnel was painstakingly carved by hand through solid granite in the 1960s. The tunnel served as a critical military installation on Taiwan's frontline with China.

Although Kinmen has remained under Taiwanese control since the conclusion of the Chinese civil war in 1949 and endured regular artillery bombardment from mainland China, today it has evolved into a popular destination for tourists.

The festival took place over two days last weekend, featuring six performances with 200 attendees at each show. This marks the 17th consecutive year of the festival's operation.

Musicians performed from a small boat that gently floated through the tunnel, which was illuminated with vibrant colorful lighting. The repertoire included classical compositions from Mozart and Beethoven alongside traditional Taiwanese and Chinese musical pieces.

Festival art director and cellist Chang Chen-chieh explained, "The music tells the story of this tunnel, music that speaks of the preciousness of peace, and music that carries its message to the world."

According to organizers, tickets for this year's festival at one of Kinmen's most dramatic locations sold out in just two minutes, demonstrating its immense popularity.

Martial law in Kinmen was only lifted in 1992, five years after Taiwan itself. Though the island maintains a significant military presence, many sites including the Zhaishan Tunnel have been repurposed as attractions within the national park that encompasses much of Kinmen.

Audience member Cheng Kai-hsiang expressed being deeply moved by the experience: "Not only by the sound and the echo from the tunnel, but also because I could hear the waves coming from outside. That powerful, overwhelming feeling is really hard to put into words. It's something you can only experience by being there in person."