This island presents not only the fascinating scenery,
but also countless historical stories to tell.
Make sure to taste Dadan's glorious history
when you set foot on this beautiful island.

Roaming through the history

During the reign of Song Emperor Shenzong (Xining and Yuanfeng era, 1068─1085)	Wuzhou was part of Xiangfeng Village, Suide Township, Tong’an County, Quanzhou Fu (17th to 20th town). Lieyu was the 20th town. Dadan and Xiaodan islands were part of Lieyu.
Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasty	Still followed the old system, Dadan and Xiaodan islands were part of Lieyu Lieyu consisted of Xiaodan, Binlang, Dadan and Lieyu islands
Ming Dynasty From Jiajing era to Longwu era （1548-1647）	It was once a Portuguese trade base Wokou's army (Japanese army) gathered at Dadan sea area and controlled the island Dadan was the starting point of traveling to and from Taiwan, the Eastern world and the Western world Forts and Mazu Temple were built on the island Chinese and Dutch vessels had ever moored at Dadan island and Lieyu port Koxinga once trained his army in the sea area of Dadan and Erdan Islands
Qing Dynasty From Kangxi era to Guangxu era （1680-1875）	Dadan became an important naval base constructed with 2 fortifications and watch tower at the front and rear side. Erdan was also set up with one fortification and watch tower. The jurisdiction of the islands was transferred to the General of Xiamen Navy and a large number of troops and warships were garrisoned at the islands Liu Long-chang, the Governor General of the Navy was instructed to smash the pirates in Dadan sea area. He finally resigned and lived in Dadan island and was buried in Dagu Mountain (today known as Dahu Mountain). He was given the title "General Mingwei" by Emperor Qianlong. His tomb was covered with the garrison’s artillery emplacement for 10years, now it was rebuilt to "Mingwei Park" Dadan sea area has been raided by pirates, Wokou, and Dutch. To defend the coast against the pirates, Jueluo Man-bao, Governor General of Minzhe set up naval base at Xiamen and Dadan to protect and inspect the passing vessels When Chen Ting-yao, the General of Fujian Navy, visited and inspected the defence of Dadan island, he inscribed "Safeguard of Minnan" on the rock in the North Mountain to highlight its importance Shi Fan-xian, the Investigating Censor, also visited Dadan island and wrote a poem to highlight its strategic position Dadan, Erdan and Lieyu islands protect Xiamen port from the outside. As its strategic position was so important, Qing dynasty set up Dadan Fortress with watch towers, warships and soldiers to protect and inspect the passing vessels in the area The pirate warlord Caiqian attacked Dadan Fortress. A lot of garrisons were killed in the battle and the fort was destroyed. To protect the coast from the invasion of Caiqian, Bai Yu-de, the Governor General of Min, raised money to rebuild the fort at Dadan and Erdan islands A tablet was stationed on the island and inscribed with: "Two fortresses were built with a perimeter of 33 zhang. The height of defensive wall is about 1 zhang 4 chi and 6 cun. Each fortress set up with dormitory, ammunition depots and a watcher". During the middle and late Qing era, the fortress fell down, the bricks of the fort were dismantled and used by the local fishers to build houses. Today, there are several tablets stationed at the south of the library of Xiamen University Dadan islet is located in the southeastern sea of Xiamen. It is said that the immortals picked up treasures for the Jade Emperor, but they indulged in the beautiful scene of the two islands and just left the treasures there. As a result, the treasures finally became Dadan islet Xiamen takes Dadan, Erdan and Lieyu as the gateway. A key waypoint to Quan Zhou and Zhang Zhou. The islands were set up with naval base to protect the coast and vessels. Erdan and Lieyu were also built with fortress to reinforce the defence During Opium War, a British fleet of 32 warships and 3500 troops sailed into Dadan sea area. The gunners on Dadan fortress opened fire on British vessels. British navy soon returned fire and destroyed the fortress After Opium war, Xiamen port was opened for trade. Dadan sea area was listed as an important waterway in the sailing chart made by the British Royal Navy. Dadan island was then using as the "sea gate" to Xiamen. The sea trade was flourishing and ships were passing in and out of the waterway at that time In order to reinforce the defence of Jiulong estuary, The General of Fujian Navy proposed to build fortresses at Yuziwei, Panshi and Baishitou to secure the waterway of Dadan island and Xiamen port
1915-1959	Dadan and Erdan islands were still not under the Jurisdiction of Kinmen when Kinmen became a county A Japanese fleet of 7 warships arrived in Dadan sea area. It was deemed that Japanese fleet was testing and checking the coast defence of Chinese army During Anti-Japanese War, Kinmen fell to Japan and Japan fleets controlled Dadan sea area A troop of 100 men from "Collaborationist Chinese Army" (puppet troops founded by Japan) with two speedboats garrisoned at Baoling Temple of Dadan island, intercepted and extorted the merchant vessels During Pacific War, Japanese troops laid mines in Dadan sea area After the victory of Anti-Japannese War, "Tombs of Loyal Dead" were discovered at Baoling Temple of Dadan island. The tombs were later destroyed in Chinese Civil War. Today, the loyal dead are worshiped at Taiwushan Martyrs' Shrine and an "Anti-Japanese War Memorial Park" was built at Qinyuan Lake, Qingqi, Lieyu to commemorate their story During Chinese Civil War, ROC troops retreated to Kinmen. The 200th division from 5th corps entered and garrisoned at Lieyu and sent one company to garrison at Dadan island as outpost Battle of Dadan Island (July 26-27, 1950) August 23rd Artillery Battle (1958) Chiang Ching-kuo, the Director of the General Political Department of the Ministry of National Defense at the time, visited Dadan island and encouraged the garrisons "Only the "dadan" (means "brave" in Chinese) soldiers can take the heavy duty of regaining the territory of our country". He inscribed that "the brave soldiers are capable of taking important mission, they are not alone in the isolated islet". Hence the Ministry of National Defense named the island "Dadan Island". In the olden days, Xiaodan, Sandan, Sidan and Wudan were also referred to as Erdan, Sandan, Sidan and Wudan (1959) Chapter Land of "New Records of Kinmen" wrote: Both Dadan and Erdan islands were under the jurisdiction of Xiamen. Now they are garrisoned by ROC troops. Therefore, Dadan and Erdan islands belong to Kindmen and they are under the jurisdiction of Lieyu township as their locations are so close to Lieyu. (1959) "June 17th Artillery Battle" (1960) The Ministry of National Defence transferred the jurisdiction of Dadan island to Kinmen county government. (June 30th, 2018) Dadan opened its door to tourists with limits (July 26th, 2018) Dadan island officially opened to tourists. (March 1st, 2019)

The geographical position of Dadan and Erdan islands is strategically important.

Dadan island can be used to defend the waterway of Kinmen and Xiamen to ensure the safety of the local residents when pirates, Wokou and enemy raid the southeast coast of China. The island is so important in military strategy that people described it "If one man guards the pass (Dadan island), then even ten thousand men are unable to get through it".

Dadan and Erdan islands are key battlefields for military strategists. After experiencing the fierce artillery battle, the troops still stand on the islands and never fall down.

Visiting the mysterious island