The results of the 2026 National Excellence in Construction Awards were grandly announced tonight! Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters under the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stood out among numerous entries for its long-term, systematic management and maintenance of the Mazu Religious and Cultural Park, winning the prestigious Gold Prize in the Best Management and Maintenance category. This award is not only the highest recognition of the Matsu Headquarters team’s years of dedication to overcoming the challenging climate of the outlying islands and upholding high-quality recreational experiences, but also brings renewed international attention to this landmark, which has witnessed Matsu’s transformation from a former battlefield into a renowned tourist destination.
Located atop Menqian Mountain in Nangan Township, the Mazu Religious and Cultural Park features a 29.6-meter-tall statue of Mazu and an imposing ship-shaped platform made of wood and steel. The park serves not only as the “gateway image from the sea” for Matsu’s maritime and air transportation, but also as a shared spiritual symbol of Matsu. According to the Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters, the park attracts a large number of visitors each year on average, generating local employment opportunities and serving as a key driving force behind the development of Matsu’s tourism economy.
However, maintaining large-scale landscape facilities on an offshore island surrounded by the sea presents significant challenges. The Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters noted that the park is exposed year-round to a subtropical maritime climate, with high salinity, strong gusts, frequent fog, and steep terrain, greatly increasing the difficulty of transporting materials and protecting the facilities. To ensure structural safety and visual appeal, Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters has introduced a rigorous, systematic maintenance program based on annual inspections, five-year repair and maintenance cycles, and comprehensive reinforcement every ten years.
One of the key highlights behind the park’s Gold Prize win is the Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters' adoption of an industrial-grade “abrasive blasting method” for paint removal and rust treatment, rather than the commonly used chemical cleaning methods. This technique not only significantly improves the efficiency of removing rust and deteriorated paint from the steel components of the ship-shaped platform, but has also been successfully applied to the removal of efflorescence from granite surfaces. During the construction process, a comprehensive system was implemented to collect and reuse the abrasive material. By replacing chemical cleaning with a physical treatment method, the approach reduces workers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals and minimizes environmental impacts, achieving an ideal balance among engineering quality, occupational safety, and environmental sustainability.
Director Hung Chih-kuang of the Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters stated that receiving the Gold Prize at the 2026 National Excellence in Construction Awards is a tremendous honor and encouragement for the Headquarters. Looking ahead, Matsu National Scenic Area Headquarters will continue to pursue the goal of “Tourism as a Pillar of the Nation” and uphold the spirit of sustainable tourism. By providing a higher-quality and safer recreational environment while integrating Matsu’s distinctive military heritage and natural ecology, the Headquarters aims to showcase to travelers from around the world the profound cultural heritage of “Mazu in Matsu” and the unique allure of an international-class, open-air maritime art museum.
