First Flight Out: Matsu Islands cluster is a foggy, tranquil hideaway in Taiwan that runs on its own time

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TAIPEI - Most Taiwanese have never been to the Matsu Islands, and have never even considered taking a trip there until the Covid-19 pandemic made it a domestic destination as international travel became impossible. 

Matsu is formally known as Lienchiang, Taiwan’s smallest county at just under 30 km sq in all. 

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