As the world’s 22nd largest economy with a land area of approximately 14,400 square miles (36,000 km2), Taiwan is the world’s 39th largest island. It is about 245 miles (395 km) long (north-south) and 90 miles (145 km) across at its widest point, and has a coastline of 708 miles (1,139 km). There are many beautiful lighthouses in Taiwan.
Please watch the following video of the stunning lighthouses of Taiwan.
In addition to its main island, Taiwan (Republic of China) also has jurisdiction over 22 islands in its Taiwan group, including Xiaoliuqiu (小琉球) off the southwest coast, Green Island (綠島) and Orchid Island (蘭嶼) to the southeast, as well as the Penghu archipelago (澎湖群島) to the west, and the Kinmen archipelago (金門群島) and Matsu archipelago (馬祖群島) near the coast of China’s Fujian Province.
Lighthouses of Taiwan
Surrounded by the sea on four sides, there are a total of 36 lighthouses of Taiwan of different styles and shapes. Among them, 20 are staffed with lighthouse keepers, and 12 are open to the public free of charge. Taiwan’s lighthouses used to be managed by the Directorate General of Customs, Ministry of Finance.
But after the government restructuring on January 1, 2013, the agency was renamed the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance, and the function of lighthouse management was transferred to the Maritime and Port Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications.
With 36 appealing lighthouses in Taiwan having distinct architectural features and fascinating histories, Taiwan is a paradise for lighthouse lovers. In 2016, about 1.2 million people visited the lighthouses of Taiwan that are open to the public.
Among them, nearly 420,000 people visited Eluanbi Lighthouse (鵝鑾鼻燈塔), and about 110,000 visitors came to Fugui Cape Lighthouse (富貴角燈塔), while approximately 97,000 people visited Sandiao Cape Lighthouse (三貂角燈塔).
Situated on Eluanbi Cape in Kenting National Park at the southernmost tip of Taiwan, Eluanbi Lighthouse (鵝鑾鼻燈塔) has a splendid panorama. It is a landmark sightseeing spot, and is called “The Light of East Asia,” as its intensity is the most powerful among the country’s lighthouses. It was the only fortified lighthouse in the world.
Fugui Cape Lighthouse (富貴角燈塔) is the northernmost of the lighthouses of Taiwan, and was the first lighthouse built by the Japanese for the sake of constructing a submarine cable and navigation system between Taiwan and Japan.
Fugui Cape Lighthouse, Yuwengdao Lighthouse (漁翁島燈塔), and Dongyong Lighthouse (東湧燈塔) are the three lighthouses of Taiwan that are equipped with fog horns (霧笛).
Situated on the northeastern tip of Taiwan, Sandiao Cape Lighthouse (三貂角燈塔) was also built by the Japanese. As Sandiao Cape Lighthouse is an outstanding mark on the Pacific Ocean, it is called the “Eye of Taiwan.” It was Taiwan’s first lighthouse to open to the public.
Visitors not only can take in the beauty of the lighthouse itself, but they can also enjoy the nearby beautiful northeast coastline. Additionally, with the artsy and creative decor in the plaza around it, the lighthouse is a hot spot for wedding photos.
Of the 36 lighthouses, Yuwengdao Lighthouse (漁翁島燈塔) and Dongquan Lighthouse (東莒島燈塔) were designated as second-grade historic sites, while Kaohsiung Lighthouse (高雄燈塔) and Dongyong Lighthouse (東引島燈塔) were designated, respectively, as third-grade historic sites by the Ministry of the Interior.
Several museums hold exhibitions featuring the lighthouses in Taiwan, including the Lighthouse Museum, the Customs Museum, and the Yang Ming Oceanic Culture and Art Museum.
Operated by the Maritime and Port Bureau, the Lighthouse Museum was inaugurated on March 1, 2017, at Keelung City in northern Taiwan. Some lighthouse models and photographs, as well as various lamps, lenses, and other optical systems, are on display.
As the Customs Administration has been the agency responsible for the management of Taiwan’s lighthouses over the past decades, the Customs Museum has an exclusive section featuring lighthouses. Besides various lighthouse models, there is a brief introduction to the history of each lighthouse, along with other relevant articles. The most striking objects displayed in the museum are a replica fog cannon and an ancient bronze fog warning bell.
Besides holding a lighthouse-featured exhibition years ago, the Yang Ming Oceanic Culture and Art Museum has also been sponsored by the Yang Ming Cultural Foundation to conduct a cultural activity dubbed “Museum-on-the-Go” to display the beautiful photos of the lighthouses of Taiwan in various places across Taiwan.
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