Lighthouses of China: Central Zhejiang (Taizhou)

The Chinese province of Zhejiang (formerly spelled Chekiang) occupies the central coast of the country, south of Shanghai and north of the Formosa Strait. The province faces east on the East China Sea. The coastline is hilly and irregular, with more than 3000 islands of all sizes offshore.

This page lists lighthouses in central Zhejiang Province, including the Sanmen Bay area and the port of Jiaojiang (formerly called Hiamen). This area, now part of the prefectural-level city of Taizhou, did not attract much foreign interest during the colonial period, and the European powers built very few lighthouses in the area. As a result, all the lights listed are of recent origin and modern design, like the Niutoujingshan lighthouse at right.

Lighthouses in China are maintained by the PRC Maritime Safety Administration. The administration is organized in four regional administrations, with district offices in the major ports. All the lights on this page are maintained by the Wenzhou MSA office, which is part of the Shanghai Region. The Chinese word for a lighthouse is dēngtǎ (灯塔). Jiao or chiao is a cape, dao, tao, yu, or hsu is an island, wan is a bay, and kang or gang is a harbor. Due to competing systems for transliterating Chinese into Latin characters, there are always several possible spellings for the names of places in China.

ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. CN numbers are the serial numbers used by the Shanghai regional office of MSA. Admiralty numbers are from volume F of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA List numbers are from Publication 112.

General Sources
Light Query Results
This is part of a long light list for all of China posted by the Shanghai MSA office. As of June 2012, Taizhou lights were listed starting on page 85 of the list.
East China Sea Navigation Aids
Additional lighthouse data posted by the Shanghai Region office of the MSA.
China AMS Topographic Maps
A fine collection of U.S. Army Map Service maps of China, in English, posted by the University of Texas Library.


Niutoujingshan Light, Jiaojiang (Haimen)
PRC MSA Shanghai Region photo

Sanmen Bay Area Lighthouses
Chang Yu
1962. Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal brick tower, covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. This light and the next three were formerly maintained by the Taizhou Prefecture Port Authority; they were transferred to MSA control in 2001. Located on a small island in upper Sanmen Bay, about 7 km (4 mi) northeast of Sanmen. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2615.
Guafajiao (Guafa Jiao, Shuang Jiao)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); two red flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round concrete tower, tower. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a mid-channel shoal off Liyanggang at the extreme northwestern corner of Sanmen Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2616; Admiralty F3682.45.
Sanmen Yangjiao
1962. Active; focal plane 8 m; white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower, painted white. Google has an indistinct satellite view. This light is described as square in current light lists, so it is possible the tower has been rebuilt recently. Located on a reef in the southern entrance to Sanmen Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2626; Admiralty F3682.4.
Pingjiao
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. 6 m (20 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower, covered with white ceramic tiles. A larger version of the Shanghai MSA photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a reef in the southern entrance to Sanmen Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2625; Admiralty F3682.2.
Fanbidao (Fanbi Dao) (2)
1997 (station established 1959). Active; focal plane 23 m (79 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) hexagonal brick tower, covered with white ceramic tiles. Recent light lists describe a smaller tower at this location, so the lighthouse may have been removed. A PRC photo is at right, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located on a small island about halfway between the mainland and Kinmendao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2638; Admiralty F3680.2.
Fanbidao Light
Fanbidao Light
PRC MSA Shanghai Region photo

Taizhou Bay and Jiaojiang (Haimen) Lighthouses
Note: Taizhou (Taichow) Bay leads to the port of Jiaojiang, formerly called Haimen. The city's name was changed in 1981 to avoid confusion with other Haimens in Jiangsu and Guangdong Provinces. However, the city is still called Haimen in many contemporary sources, including MSA's web site. The Ji Islands are scattered across the mouth of Taizhou Bay.
Shiuniutoujingdao (Shiuniutoujing Dao, Kinmendao, Kinmen Tao) (2)
1959 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 57 m (187 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) hexagonal stone tower with lantern and gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. The light is not seen in Google's distant satellite view. Located on an islet off the northeastern tip of Shiuniutoujingdao (Kinmendao), the northernmost of the Ji Islands, about 50 km (30 mi) east northeast of Jiaojiang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2639; Admiralty F3680.4.
Dongjidao (Dongji Dao, Tung-chi Tao) (2)
1959 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 91 m (299 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. MSA's photo is at right, and Google has a very distant satellite view. Located at the eastern tip of Dongjidao, the easternmost of the Ji Islands, about 50 km (30 mi) east of Jiaojiang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2640; Admiralty F3681; NGA 18983.
Xiajieshan (Xiajie Shan, Toumenshan, Toumen Shan) (3)
1994 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 26 m (85 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located at the northeastern tip of Xiajieshan (Toumenshan), the southwesternmost island of the Ji group. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2642; Admiralty F3680.3.
Xiaozhushan (Xiaozhu Shan, Ta-chu) (3)
1990 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 42 m (138 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical stone tower with gallery, covered with ceramic tiles, colored white with black horizontal bands at the top and bottom. The lens and elctrical equipment had to be replaced after being struck by lightning in July 1996. Google has a satellite view. Located on an islet off the northwestern coast of Xiajieshan (Toumenshan). Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2643; Admiralty F3680.
Yangjiao (Taizhou Wan) (3)
1994 (station established 1954). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three quick white flashes every 10 s. 12.5 m (41 ft) hexagonal cylindrical stone tower with gallery, covered with ceramic tiles, colored black with a yellow horizontal band. Google has a satellite view. Located on a dangerous reef about 5 km (3 mi) northwest of Xiajieshan (Toumenshan). Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2644; Admiralty F3680.25.
Dachahua (Dajahua, Ta-cha-hua) (2)
1994 (station established 1988). Active; focal plane 41 m (135 ft); white flash every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) hexagonal stone tower with gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located on an islet in the entrance to Taizhou Bay, about 30 km (19 mi) east of Jiaojiang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2644.1; Admiralty F3679.
Chengjiaodao (Chengjia Dao, Chengji Shan) (2)
1993. (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 26 m (89 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower with gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located on an islet in the entrance to Taizhou Bay, about 25 km (15 mi) east southeast of Jiaojiang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2645; Admiralty F3678.
Dongjidao Light
Dongjidao Light
PRC MSA Shanghai Region photo
* Niutoujingshan (Niutoujing Shan, Dongshanjiao) (3)
1978 (station established 1954). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 13 m (43 ft) round concrete tower with double gallery, covered with red ceramic tiles. MSA's photo is at the top of this page, another photo is available (second photo on the page), a blogger has several photos, and Google has an indistinct satellite view. This seems to be Taizhou's best known lighthouse. Located on a wooded ridge that interrupts the quays of Jiaojiang (Haimen) harbor, on the south side of the Lingjiang estuary. Site appears open, tower closed. CN-2650; Admiralty F3677.5.
Changshunba No. 1
2000. Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); yellow light occulting once every 12 s. 9 m (30 ft) round strongly conical concrete tower, mounted on four concrete piles. Lighthouse painted orange; the tower also carries an X-shaped daymark. Google has a satellite view. This light, which marks a shoal parallel to the main channel in Jiaojiang's harbor, was built by the Taizhou Prefecture Port Authority and transferred to MSA in 2001. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. CN-2650.1; Admiralty F3677.

Taizhou Islands Lighthouses
Sheshandao
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white flash every 4 s. 9 m (30 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available, and the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view. Located on the small island of Sheshandao, the northernmost of the Taizhou Islands. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2668; Admiralty F3676.5.
Xiaojiaotoujiao (Xiaojiaotou Jiao, Xiaojiaotou) (3)
1999 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 12 m (39 ft) hexagonal concrete tower, faced with brick, with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. MSA's photo is at right, but the light is not seen clearly in Google's satellite view. Located on an islet north of Xiadachen Dao in the Taizhou Islands, about 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Jiaojiang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2669; Admiralty F3675.5; NGA 18984.
Taizhou Gangpianjiao (2)
1994 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 9 m (30 ft); red flash every 3 s. 7.5 m (25 ft) round concrete tower, covered with white tiles. Google has only a distant satellite view of the area. Located on a reef off the south side of Shangdachen island, in the South China Sea about 100 km (60 mi) southeast of Jiaojiang. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2670; Admiralty F3676; NGA 18992.
Zhu Yu (Chu Hsu) (2)
1959 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 63 m (207 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Google has a distant satellite view. Located atop an islet about 1.5 km (1 mi) west of the western tip of Xiadachen Dao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2672; Admiralty F3674; NGA 18996.
Xia Yu
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 153.5 m (504 ft); two white flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with red and white horizontal bands. No photo available, and the tower is not seen in Google's satellite view. Located on the island at the southeastern end of the Taizhou Islands. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2668; Admiralty F3674.5.
Lianzijiao
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted with black and white horizontal bands. No photo available, and Google has only a fuzzy satellite view. Located on a reef off the southwestern end of the Taizhou Islands. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2674; Admiralty F3674.
Xiaojiaotoujiao Light
Xiaojiaotoujiao Light
PRC MSA Shanghai Region photo


Songmen Peninsula Area Lighthouses
Niushandao (Niushan Dao) (3)
1996 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 9 m (30 ft) hexagonal concrete tower with gallery, covered with white tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located on a steep ridge at the northwestern corner of Niushandao, an island off the east coast of the Songmen Peninsula. Site status unknown. CN-2683; Admiralty F3669.7.
Luo Yu (Lo Hsu) (3)
1993 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 79 m (259 ft); white flash every 3 s. 9 m (30 ft) hexagonal cylindrical stone tower with gallery, covered with tiles colored with red and white vertical stripes. Google has a satellite view. This light is an important navigational aid for ships approaching Wenzhou from the north. Located atop a small island about 10 km (6 mi) off the end of the Songmen Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2684; Admiralty F3670; NGA 19000.
Wuyu (Wu Yu, E Yu) (3)
1995 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 55 m (180 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. A view from the sea is available, but Google has only a very distant satellite view. Located on an islet about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) off the end of the Songmen Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2685; Admiralty F3669.6.
Yisuandao (Yisuan Dao, Isuan Dao) (2)
1965 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 10 m (33 ft) hexagonal cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, covered with white ceramic tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located on the outermost islet of the Sansuan group, about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of the Songmen Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2686; Admiralty F3669; NGA 19004.
Gouejiao
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13.5 m (44 m); two white flashes every 5 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower, painted black with a red horizontal band. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located on a skerry off the harbor of Shitangzhen, a port at the tip of the Songmen Peninsula. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2686.5; Admiralty F3668.3.
Wailongyan (4)
1979 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); white flash every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) round stone tower mounted on a round cylindrical stone base, all painted white. An external stairway winds around the stone base. The second light at this exposed location was damaged by a typhoon in 1969 and destroyed by another typhoon in 1973. The present light was repaired after being damaged by yet another typhoon in 1998. Located on a reef about 6 km (4 mi) southwest of the extreme tip of the Songmen Peninsula, in the entrance to Aiwan (Yevan) Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2687; Admiralty F3668; NGA 19008.

Yisuandao Light
PRC Maritime Safety Administration Shanghai Region photo
Dadongjingdao (Dadongjing Dao, Tongzhenshan)
2001 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 83 m (272 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 10 m (33 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, covered with ceramic tiles colored white with red trim. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on an island about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Bishandao at the south end of Aiwan Bay. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2689; Admiralty F3667.

Yuhuandao Area Lighthouses
Chongdan Yu
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on a small island in the entrance to Hsuan-Men Bay, northeast of the island of Yuhuandao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2692; Admiralty F3666.3.
Xialangdangdao (Xialangdang Dao, Langtang Hsu) (2)
1963 (station established 1956). Active; focal plane 60 m (197 ft); three white flashes every 20 s. 9.5 m (31 ft) octagonal cylindrical stone tower with gallery, covered with ceramic tiles colored with red and white vertical stripes. Google has a distant satellite view. This modest lighthouse serves as a landfall light for Wenzhou. Located on a small island about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) southeast of Bishan Dao and 70 km (45 mi) east of Wenzhou city. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2693; Admiralty F3665; NGA 19012.
Qianshan (Qian Shan, Chien Shan) (2)
1988 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); white flash every 4 s. 10 m (33 ft) round stone tower, painted white. Google has a distant satellite view. Located on an island about 12 km (7.5 mi) southeast of the large island of Yuhuandao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2691; Admiralty F3664.5; NGA 19016.
Dayantou (Dayan Tou, Ganlu Zui) (3)
1999 (station established 1955). Active; focal plane 71 m (233 ft); two white flashes every 6 s. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, covered with white tiles. Google has a satellite view. Located at the southern tip of Yuhuandao. Site status unknown. CN-2700; Admiralty F3660.82.
Jianzuijiao (Jianzui Jiao, Zhihu Jiao) (2)
2002 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); two white flashes every 5 s. 11 m (36 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with gallery, mounted on a square concrete pier. Lighthouse painted with red and black horizontal bands. Located on a reef off the southwest coast of Yuhuandao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2700.1; Admiralty F3661.2.
Lianyu (Lian Yu) (2)
2009 (station establishment date unknown). Active; focal plane 14 m (46 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 11 m (36 ft) round white concrete tower with gallery. No photo of the new light is available, and Google has only a distant satellite view of the location. Located on a small island at the northwestern corner of Yuhuandao. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. CN-2712.1; Admiralty F3662.21.
Dayantou Light
Dayantou Light, December 1999
PRC MSA Shanghai Region photo

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

Adjoining pages: North: Xiangshan Area | South: Southern Zhejiang

Return to the Lighthouse Directory index | Ratings key

Posted June 9, 2008. Checked and revised June 28, 2012. Lighthouses: 33. Site copyright 2012 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.