Green Island Lighthouse is an iconic landmark on the northwest coast of Green Island in southern Taiwan’s Taitung County. Standing on the high ground of the island, the lighthouse is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and is one of the must-see tourist attractions on Green Island.
For more interesting images, please watch the following video on Green Island Lighthouse.
History of Green Island Lighthouse
Green Island Lighthouse was built in 1939 during the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). This lighthouse is unique because it was constructed with funds from the United States.
On December 11, 1937, the largest cruise liner in the world at the time, SS President Hoover, hit a reef and was stranded off Green Island en route from Japan to the Philippines. Fortunately, all 503 passengers and 330 crew members aboard were rescued by residents of Green Island.
Appreciating those islanders’ rescue and help, the American Red Cross launched a fundraising campaign in 1938. As a result, the Green Island Lighthouse was built under the auspices of the people of the United States in 1939.
Designed by a Japanese engineer, the lighthouse was made of reinforced concrete, with a height of 33.3 m (109.3 ft) and a stairway of 150 steps. It has a cylindrical tower painted with black and white horizontal alternating stripes and started operating on September 15, 1939.
During World War II, the lighthouse was damaged in an airstrike. In 1948, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) rebuilt the lighthouse, but its appearance was changed to pure white.
The Taitung County Government designated the lighthouse as a historical site, and it has been opened to the public since September 2013. From June 2019 to October 2020, the lighthouse was further renovated to its current state.
The characteristics of Green Island Lighthouse
The lighthouse is nestled on a green hill, where visitors can take in the picturesque scenery and enjoy many beautiful wild lilies from March to May. The lighthouse is also close to the Wuyouku (烏油窟) beach, which is one of the ideal places for swimming on the island.
The lighthouse’s living quarters are another highlight of the attraction. There are several houses scattered in the middle of the lush lawn with some Ceylon Ardisia (蘭嶼樹杞). These houses’ exteriors and inner walls and the enclosing wall are covered with stones and painted white. They complement the white cylindrical tower and its picturesque surroundings.
The current lighthouse keeper is Chen Yi Hsin (陳議星), the third generation of the family that has served at the lighthouse since the 1930s. The Japanese government even recruited Yi Hsin’s grandfather, a skilled plasterer, to participate in constructing the lighthouse’s living quarters. According to the lighthouse keeper, the stones were used for heat resistance and aesthetics.
An outstanding square pavilion is above an old well near the living quarters. The well was constructed when the lighthouse was built, but its water tastes salty due to saltwater intrusion.
Another highlight of the attraction is that the steep slope connecting the living quarters and the lighthouse is engraved with patterns of various flowers and leaves commonly seen on Green Island.
Besides the uniqueness of Green Island Lighthouse, the picturesque scenery, azure sky, and stunning seashore make the lighthouse complex a destination that visitors should not miss when visiting the island.
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