Lighthouses of China: Taiwan

Taiwan is a large island, nearly 400 km (250 mi) long, lying off the coast of China. The island was annexed by the Chinese Empire in 1683 and was governed as a province of China for more than 200 years. Japan occupied Taiwan in 1895, following the first Sino-Japanese War, and held it until the end of the Second World War in 1945. While in power, the Japanese constructed several lighthouses in Taiwan that remain active today. In 1949, the collapse of Nationalist forces in mainland China led to a new governmental separation between Taiwan and the mainland, with the Nationalist government (the Republic of China) on Taiwan and the Communist government (the People's Republic of China) on the mainland. This separation continues to the present day.

The Nationalist government also administers the Penghu (Pescadores) Islands to the southwest and the Matsu, Wuciou, and Kinmen (Quemoy) islands in Fujian province across the Taiwan Strait.

Historically, lighthouses in Taiwan have been operated by the Department of Maritime Affairs within the Directorate General of Customs. In September 2009, it was announced that they will now be managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication. In Chinese, jiao or chiao is a cape, dao, tao, yu, or hsu is an island, and kang 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. 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
DCG Lighthouse Distribution
Posted by the Directorate General of Customs, this interactive page links to pages on the individual lighthouses. All text in Chinese.
Lighthouses in Taiwan
Wikipedia checklist, useful for its Pinyin spellings.
Lighthouses in Taiwan
Hosted by the National Kaohsiung University of Applied Science, this page links to individual pages on all the major lighthouses of Taiwan. Text in Chinese.
Keelung Harbor Bureau - Navigational Aids
Light list for the northeastern corner of Taiwan.
Taichung Customs Office Aids to Navigation
The second page of this pdf document has photos of eight lighthouses.
Lighthouses in Taiwan
Photos available from Wikimedia.
Leuchttürme auf Briefmarken
Postage stamp images posted by Klaus Huelse.
Leuchttürme Asiens auf historischen Postkarten
Historic postcard images, also posted by Klaus Huelse.


Baisajia Light, December 2008
anonymous Creative Commons photo
Pengjiayu Lighthouse
Pengjiayu (Pengjia, Peng Chia Hsu, Pen Chia Yu) (2)
1909 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 146 m (479 ft); white flash every 15 s. 26 m (85 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on an hexagonal pyramidal brick base and rising from a keeper's house. Original 1st order Fresnel lens, the only first order lens in use in Taiwan. Lighthouse painted white; the lantern dome is black. Iron bands have been placed around the tower to strengthen it against typhoons and earthquakes. DCG has a page for the station, the lighthouse appears on a postage stamp, and the Taipei Times has a 2002 article on longtime keeper Peng Hsing-shih, but Google's satellite view has no detail for the island. The lighthouse was repaired after being damaged by aerial strafing during World War II. Pengjia (Peng Chia Hsu) is a small volcanic island located about 60 km (38 mi) northeast of the northern tip of Taiwan. The height of the volcano is listed as 165 m (541 ft). The island is uninhabited except for the staffs of the light station and a weather station and a small Army detachment that maintains Taiwan's sovereignty. There is also housing for visiting scientists. Older sources may refer to the island as Agincourt, the name given to it by Western navigators. Site and tower closed; visits require permission of the military. ARLHS TAI-022; Admiralty F4690; NGA 13588.

Taoyuan County Lighthouse
* Baisajia (Baishajia, Paisha Chia, Pai-Sha Chia)
1902. Active; focal plane 37 m (121 ft); flash every 10 s, alternately red and white. 25 m (82 ft) round brick tower with lantern and gallery. Original 3rd order Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. A photo appears above, Shenhung Lin has a 2008 photo, another 2008 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. This is one of the first lighthouses built in Taiwan under the Japanese administration. Originally it was 38 m (125 ft) in height, but the upper portion was destroyed during World War II. After the war, the tower was repaired to its present height. Located on a bluff above the coast near Guanyin. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-019; Admiralty F4662; NGA 13952.

Northern New Taipei City Lighthouses
Taipei Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); green flash every 5 s. Approx. 15 m (49 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted green. No photo available, but Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located at the end of the outer breakwater of the new Port of Taipei. Site status unknown. Admiralty F4663.4; NGA 13960.1.
* Danshui (Tamshui, Tan-Shui Kang) (2)
1970 (station established 1888). Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white light, 2 s on, 6 s off. 33 m (108 ft) tapered square skeletal tower, painted white. Google has a satellite view. According to DCG, local residents had built a small lighthouse here in 1796. The station was established officially with a 16 m (52 ft) masonry tower in 1888. Apparently the 1888 tower does not survive. The 1796 tower, known as the Wanggao Tower, was destroyed in Woreld War II. Located on a promontory on the north side of the entrance to the Danshui River in Danshui. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-029; Admiralty F4664; NGA 13960.
* Fuguejiao (Fu-kuei Chiao, Fukwei Chiao, Cape Fukwei) (2)
1897 (rebuilt in 1962). Active; focal plane 31 m (102 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 14 m (46 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. Fog horn (blast every 30 s). A photo is at right, a 2007 photo and another photo are available, Huelse has a postage stamp image, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. The original lighthouse was an octagonal cast iron tower. The original cast iron lighthouse was heavily damaged in World War II; the present lighthouse is apparently a replica in concrete. This is Taiwan's northernmost lighthouse, located on a promontory about 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Laomei. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: North Coast and Guanyinshan National Scenic Area. ARLHS TAI-008; Admiralty F4670; NGA 13592.
* Yeliou (Yeh-Liu Pan-Tao)
1967. Active; focal plane 99 m (325 ft); white light, 3 s on, 7 s off. 12 m (36 ft) white concrete post light supported by an artistic concrete tripod. Tzu-leng Hung has a 2008 closeup photo, and Huelse has a postage stamp image. However, the light is not conspicuous in a Google satellite view. This unusual modern light was designed to resemble a candle stand. Visitors can admire the view from seats under the light tower. The area is famous for remarkable rock formations sculptured by wind and waves, but these rocks extend offshore as a very dangerous reef. Located at the tip of a narrow peninsula about 12 km (7.5 mi) northwest of Keelung. Accessible by a very scenic hiking trail. Site manager: Yehliu Special Scenic Area. ARLHS TAI-036; Admiralty F4672; NGA 13596.
Fuguejiao Lighthouse
Fuguejiao (Fu-kuei Cape) Light, February 2007
anonymous Creative Commons photo

Chilung (Keelung) City Lighthouses
Keelung Yu (Chilung Tao, Keelung Island)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 189 m (620 ft); white flash every 5 s. 12 m (39 ft) octagonal concrete tower with gallery, rising from a square 1-story base. Lighthouse painted with black and white vertical stripes. A 2010 closeup is available, the lighthouse is seen in a view from the sea and is barely visible in Michael Turton's distant view of the island, it appears on a 2010 postage stamp, and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a steep-sided island about 6 km (3.5 mi) northeast of Keelung harbor. The island is accessible by passenger ferry from Keelung, and it might be possible to hike up to the lighthouse, but the absence of photos suggests that this is not often done. Site status unknown. ARLHS TAI-005; Admiralty F4672.2; NGA 13600.
Keelung (Chilung) West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16.5 m (54 ft); red flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) 2-stage concrete tower, a round post mounted on a broad octagonal base. Entire lighthouse painted red. The light is at the right in a photo centered on the Guanghua tower (see below), a view from the sea is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the west breakwater at the entrance to Keelung harbor. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4676; NGA 13620.
* Keelung (Chilung, Wan-Jentui Pi) (2)
1900. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); one short and one long white flash every 7 s. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; the lantern dome is black. WunKai Wang's photo is at right, DCG has a page with a good photo, J.R. Wei has a 2009 closeup and a good view of the station, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse was a brick tower; it appears that it was encased in concrete during a reconstruction in 1962. Located off Guanghua Road above a busy containership terminal on a peninsula at the west side of the entrance to Keelung harbor. Site status unknown but probably open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-055; Admiralty F4674; NGA 13604.
Chiutzu Shan (Range Rear)
1956. Inactive since 1991. 12 m (39 ft) rectangular cylindrical concrete tower with gallery. Originally painted white, the tower was painted green after deactivation. No photo available, but a Google satellite view probably shows the lighthouse. The light was built as the rear light of a range extending from the traditional Keelung lighthouse (previous entry). It was deactivated after a major harbor improvement project changed the line of approach for ships. Located atop Chiutzu Shan, the mountain on the west side of Keelung harbor, about 600 m (0.4 mi) west southwest of the Keelung lighthouse. Site status unknown.
*** Keelung (Chilung) West Inner Breakwater (Guanghua Tower)
1967. Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); continuous red light. 26 m (85 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower supporting a rotating café. Lighthouse painted blue with a red roof; the light is shown from a short post centered atop the tower. A 2007 aerial photo is available, a 2009 photo shows the tower freshly repainted, Vic Tsai has a view from the harbor, Huelse also has a photo, and the red roof is conspicuous in a Google satellite view. This tower was built by the Keelung Harbour Bureau and used for corporate functions; in 2000 it was transferred to the Keelung City government and renovated as a café and coffeehouse. It commands a sweeping view of the harbor, the city, and the mountains behind. Located at the end of the short inner breakwater on the west side of Keelung harbor, not far from the historic lighthouse (previous entry). Site open, café open daily. Owner/site manager: Keelung City Government. ARLHS TAI-040; Admiralty F4677; NGA 13632.
Keelung (Chilung) East Breakwater Extension
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); white flash every 4 s. 12 m (39 ft) round concrete tower with gallery, painted white. Rui Zheng has a photo (also showing Chilung Tao in the background), another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The extension of the east breakwater projects seaward, perpendicular to the original breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-038; Admiralty F4675.5; NGA 13624.

Chilung (Keelung) Light, August 2009
Creative Commons photo by WunKai Wang
Keelung (Chilung) East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 16.5 m (54 ft); green flash every 3 s. 11 m (36 ft) 2-stage concrete tower, a round post mounted on a broad octagonal base. Entire lighthouse painted green. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the original east breakwater at the entrance to Keelung harbor. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-039; Admiralty F4675; NGA 13616.

Eastern New Taipei City Lighthouses
* Bitoujiao (Pitou Chiao, Bitou Cape) (2)
1971 (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); white light, 6 s on, 5 s off. 12 m (39 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with double gallery, flanked by a 1-story concrete keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse is white. A good photo is available, also a second photo, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, a hexagonal cast iron tower, was destroyed during World War II. Located on a sharp, rocky promontory about 20 km (12.5 mi) east of Keelung. Accessible by a short (and popular) hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. Site manager: Northeast Coast National Scenic Area (Bitou Cape Park). ARLHS TAI-023; Admiralty F4693; NGA 13676.
**** Sandiaojiao (Santiao Chiao, Sandiao Cape, San Diego Cape)
1935. Active; focal plane 101 m (331 ft); two long flashes every 28 s, white or red depending on direction. 16.5 m (54 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a semicircular 1-story keeper's house. 2nd order clamshell Fresnel lens in use. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is black. Wunkai Wang's photo is at right, Yenchiun Kuo has a fine closeup and a more distant view, DCG has a page for the station, and Google has a distant satellite view of the station. This lighthouse, marking the easternmost point of Taiwan, has a characteristically Japanese design. It was repaired after being strafed during World War II, but machine gun bullet holes can still be seen in the walls. It was opened to the public in 1992. Locally, it is often called the "San Diego" or "Santiago" lighthouse. Located about 25 km (15 mi) southeast of Bitou Cape; accessible by road off national highway 2. Site open, tower open for climbing daily. Site manager: Northeast Coast National Scenic Area. ARLHS TAI-025; Admiralty F4694; NGA 13680.

Yilan County Lighhouses
* Guishandao (Kuishan Tao, Kueishan Tao, Turtle Island)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) square unpainted concrete pillar with a small gallery. A photo is available, but Google has only a fuzzy satellite view of the location. The pillar looks taller than 12 m in the photo. Guishan is a volcanic island about 10 km off Toucheng. Located on the western tip of the island. Accessible only by boat; guided tours are available, but reservations are required. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F4697; NGA 13682.
Suao (Pei Chiao, Beijiao)
1927. Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); flash every 7 s, white or red depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is black. DCG has a page for the station, Taichung Customs Office has a small photo (pdf file), there is a 2007 photo of all three Suao lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view. Suao is the principal Republic of China naval base on the east coast of Taiwan, located about 50 km (30 mi) southeast of Taipei and a similar distance north of Hualien. Located at the tip of a peninsula sheltering Suao harbor. A long unpaved road leads to the lighthouse, but probably the area is not open to the public. Site status unknown. ARLHS TAI-020; Admiralty F4700; NGA 13684.

Sandiaojiao (Sandiao Cape) Light, July 2009
Creative Commons photo by Wunkai Wang
Suao North Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two quick white flashes every 5 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower, painted white. There is a 2007 photo of both breakwater lighthouses, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-046; Admiralty F4700.5; NGA 13688.
Suao North Inner Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); red light, 3 s on, 2 s off. 21 m (62 ft) mast mounted on a round concrete tower, painted red. The lighthouse is at far right in a photo from across the harbor, it is barely visible in a photo of the harbor, and Google has a satellite view. Located at a right-angled elbow of the breakwater. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4701.15; NGA 13716.
Suao South Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); two quick white flashes every 5 s. 19 m (62 ft) round concrete tower, painted white. A dramatic photo is available, there is a 2007 photo of both breakwater lighthouses, the lighthouse is barely visible in a photo of the harbor, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-047; Admiralty F4700.6; NGA 13692.

Hualien County (Central East Coast) Lighthouses
Heping Range Rear
2009. Active; focal plane 52 m (171 ft); quick-flashing green light. Approx. 30 m (98 ft) square skeletal tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The front light is a directional light on a shorter tower at the harbor entrance. Located in a large power plant at Heping, about 50 km (30 mi) north of Hualien. Site status unknown. Admiralty F4704.1.
* Cilaibi (Chilai Pi, Hualien) (2)
1964 (station established 1931). Active; focal plane 33 m (108 ft); white light, 3 s off, 3 s on. 13 m (43 ft) pentagonal cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white; lantern dome is black. Three small 1-story keeper's cottages stand in a row adjacent to the lighthouse. A photo is at right, another photo and a closer view are available, also a 2008 photo, Huelse has a postage stamp image, and Google has a satellite view. The pentagonal cross section of this lighthouse is quite unusual. The original lighthouse, a square tower only 7.5 m (25 ft) high, was destroyed in World War II. The name of the lighthouse means Chilai Point; it preserves the original name Chilai for Hualein. Located on a headland on the north side of Hualien. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-004; Admiralty F4705; NGA 13728.
* Hualien (2)
1965 (station established 1910). Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); three green flashes every 12 s. 28 m (92 ft) tapered square skeletal tower with gallery, painted white. Another page for the lighthouse is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located adjacent to a school athletic field about 1.5 km (1 mi) west of the Hualien harbor entrance. Site presumably open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-012; Admiralty F4706; NGA 13732.

Cilaibi Light, February 2008
anonymous Wikimedia public domain photo
Hualien East Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); red light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 23 m (75 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. A photo and a second photo are available, and Google has a satellite view. The East Breakwater has been lengthened so that it extends parallel to the coast for about 4 km (2.5 mi), sheltering one of the largest harbors of Taiwan's east coast. Located at the end of the breakwater. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4709.1; NGA 13749.

Taitung County (Southeast Coast) Lighthouses
* Sanshiantai (San-hsien-t'ai)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 61 m (200 ft); white flash every 6 s. 7 m (23 ft) square concrete post light with gallery, mounted on a robust octagonal concrete base. Entire lighthouse is white. Square 1-story concrete equipment shelter. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Sanshiantai is a spectacular rocky point projecting into the Pacific about 8 km (5 mi) northwest of Chenggong. Located at the tip of the promontory, accessible by a well-maintained but very steep trial. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F4714; NGA 13752.
* Lyudao (Lu Tao, Huo-shao Tao, Green Island) (2)
1949 (station established 1939). Active; focal plane 48 m (157 ft); two white flashes every 20 s. 30.5 m (100 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and double gallery, attached to a 1-story concrete keeper's cottage. Entire lighthouse painted white. Chung Hsing Chen's photo is at right, DCG has a page with a good photo, a 2008 photo is available, Huelse has a postage stamp image, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse was destroyed in World War II; Huelse has a historic photo showing the Nationalist President Chiang Kai-Shek visiting the lighthouse. Lyudao (Lutao), or Green Island in English, is an island about 30 km (19 mi) east southeast of Taitung. The island is about 8 km (5 mi) long and 5 km (3 mi) wide. The island was the site of a political prison, now closed. It still has a prison for ordinary criminals, but it is becoming popular as a beach resort and is accessible by air. The lighthouse is located at the northwestern tip of the island adjacent to the airport. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-016; Admiralty F4724; NGA 13760.
* Lanyu (Lan Yu, Orchid Island)
1982. Active; focal plane 216 m (709 ft); four white flashes every 24 s. 15 m (49 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. Te-Wei Liu has a good photo, Daisy Lin also has a closeup photo, and Google has a very distant satellite view. This is the highest Taiwanese lighthouse. Lanyu (Orchid Island in English) is an island about 65 km (40 mi) east of the southern tip of Taiwan, inhabited by a people related to the Batanes Islanders of the Philippines. The mountainous island is about 12 km (7.5 mi) long and 6 km (3.5 mi) wide. Like Lyudao, Lanyu has been opened to tourism in recent years and is accessible by air. The lighthouse is located at the northwestern tip of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-014; Admiralty F4725; NGA 13764.
* Yehyu (Yeyou, Lan Yü West Side)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane unknown; red flash every 4 s. 4 m (13 ft) round concrete tower with a domed lantern, painted white with red trim. A photo is available, Lin Yu Chih also has a photo, and Daisy Lin has a distant view, but Google's satellite view has no detail in this area. This little lighthouse appears to have been built by local authorities. Located on a rocky promontory at the south side of the entrance to the harbor of Yehyu, a fishing port on the west side of Lanyu. Site open, and it appears that the tower is open as well. Admiralty F4525.55.
Lyudao Lighthouse
Lyudao Light, September 2005
Creative Commons photo by Chung Hsing Chen

Pingtung County (Southwest Coast) Lighthouses
*** Eluanbi (Eluan Pi, O-Luan Pi)
1882. Active; focal plane 56 m (184 ft); white flash every 10 s. 21 m (69 ft) round cast iron tower with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. 1-story keeper's house, visitor center, and other buildings. Ginoup Lee's photo is at right, Yew Fai Chan has a fine 2007 photo, Stephen Wang has a 2009 photo, DCG also has a page with a good photo, Huelse has a postage stamp image, and Google has a satellite view. This historic lighthouse, which predates the Japanese administration of Taiwan, was designed by the British engineer John Ropinald and built by the Chinese Imperial government. The area was so wild at the time that the lighthouse was surrounded by defensive works and manned by soldiers. Located at the southern tip of Taiwan, where it has been a popular attraction in a national park since 1992. Accessible by road off national highway 28. Site open, visitor center open, tower closed. Site manager: Kenting National Park. ARLHS TAI-018; Admiralty F4602; NGA 13768.
* Liouciou (Liuchiu Yu, Liu-Chiu Hsu, Lamay Island)
1929 (rebuilt in 1952). Active; focal plane 89 m (292 ft); white light, 2 s on, 8 s off. 11 m (36 ft) round concrete tower. Entire lighthouse is white. A closeup photo and a 2009 photo are available, and Google has a distant satellite view. Built by the local fisherman's association, the lighthouse was heavily damaged in World War II. Locally, the light is often called the "White Lighthouse." Liouciou (also called Lamay Island in English) is an island about 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Tungkang. Only 3 km (2 mi) long and 1.5 km (1 mi) wide, the island is a popular beach resort. The lighthouse is located on the heights above the southeastern shore of the island. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-015; Admiralty F4612; NGA 13776.
Eluanbi Lighthouse
Eluanbi Light, October 2006
Creative Commons photo by Ginoup Lee

Kaohsiung City Lighthouses
* Kaohsiung South Entrance South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); red flash every 4 s. 13 m (43 ft) 2-stage square cylindical concrete tower, painted red. A photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The South Entrance leads to a new industrial harbor about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of the traditional harbor of Kaohsiung. Located at the end of the south breakwater. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-044; Admiralty F4624.42; NGA 13792.
* Kaohsiung South Entrance North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); one long and two short white flashes every 10 s. 13 m (43 ft) 2-stage square cylindical concrete tower, painted white. A distant view of both breakwater lights is available, and Google has a satellite view. The South Entrance leads to a new industrial harbor about 8 km (5 mi) southeast of the traditional harbor of Kaohsiung. Located at the end of the north breakwater. Accessible by walking the breakwater. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-043; Admiralty F4624.4; NGA 13788.
**** Kaohsiung (Cihou, Chihou, Qihou, Cijin)
1883 (extensively altered in 1918). Active; focal plane 58 m (190 ft); four white flashes every 30 s. 15 m (49 ft) octagonal cylindrical brick tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 1-story brick keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. A photo is at right, Tommy Chiu has a fine 2008 photo, James Lin has a good photo, a 2009 photo is available, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a great satellite view. This historic lighthouse, one of the best known and most visited of all Taiwanese lighthouses, is built on a great rock commanding the entrance to the harbor of Kaohsiung. It was designed by the British engineer John Reginald Harding for the Imperial government. It was rebuilt and upgraded by the Japanese in 1918 and was one of the few major Taiwanese lighthouses to escape World War II undamaged. The keeper's house is now a museum. Located atop Qihou Hill at the north end of Cijin (Qijin) Island in Kaohsiung. Site open, museum and tower open daily. ARLHS TAI-001; Admiralty F4618; NGA 13796.
* Kaohsiung South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); red flash every 3 s. 14 m (46 ft) post light centered on a round 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted red. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater, which begins below the historic lighthouse. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F4621; NGA 13804.

Kaohsiung Light, October 2006
anonymous Wikimedia public domain photo
Kaohsiung North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 15 m (49 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 14 m (46 ft) post light centered on a round 1-story equipment shelter. Entire lighthouse painted white. A view from the south breakwater is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater. The pier does not appear to be walkable. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4620; NGA 13800.
Zuoying (Tsoying) Naval Base South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); red flash every 6 s. Approx. 17 m (56 ft) tower mounted on a pyramidal concrete base. Lighthouse painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at the Zhouying Naval Base on the north side of Kaohsiung. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4625.2; NGA 13812.
Zuoying (Tsoying) Naval Base (North Breakwater)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); white flash every 6 s. Approx. 17 m (56 ft) tower mounted on a pyramidal concrete base. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at the Zhouying Naval Base. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4625; NGA 13808.
Zuoying (Tsoying) Main Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 28 m (92 ft); red flash every 4 s. 21 m (69 ft) octagonal concrete tower. Lighthouse painted red. No photo available, but Google has an indistinct satellite view. Located near the end of the main (south) breakwater at the Zhouying commercial harbor on the north side of Kaohsiung, about 13 km (8 mi) north of the Naval Base. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4626.4; NGA 13825.1.
Zuoying (Tsoying) North Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 27 m (89 ft); green flash every 4 s. 21 m (69 ft) octagonal concrete tower, probably with lantern and gallery. Lighthouse painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the north breakwater at the Zhouying commercial harbor. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4626.43; NGA 13825.12.

Tainan City and County Lighthouses
* Anping South Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); red light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. David Wu has a photo, a closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Anping is the harbor district of Tainan. In 2006-07 new breakwaters were built to extend Anping Harbor, and the breakwater lighthouses were either rebuilt or relocated to the ends of the new breakwaters. Located at the end of the extended south outer breakwater of Anping. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4629.23; NGA 13834.
* Anping North Outer Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white light, 1.5 s on, 1.5 s off. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. David Wu has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. In 2006-07 new breakwaters were built to extend Anping Harbor, and the breakwater lighthouses were either rebuilt or relocated to the ends of the new breakwaters. Located at the end of the extended south outer breakwater of Anping. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4629.24; NGA 13829.
* Anping (Anping Chiang) (3)
1965 (station established 1891). Active; focal plane 23 m (75 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. 22 m (72 ft) square skeletal tower with lantern, gallery, and enclosed watch room. Lighthouse painted white, lantern dome black. Mark Chang has the photo at right and also a more distant view, a 2008 closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Anping is the port area of the city of Tainan. The original light, a square tower, was replaced in 1909 by a round brick tower built on Anping Castle (the old Dutch Fort Zeelandia). The 1909 light appears in Huelse's postcard view. It was deactivated in 1960, but it might survive: another Google satellite view shows what might be the old tower. Located adjacent to a factory on the north side of Anping harbor. Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can be seen from the street nearby. ARLHS TAI-002; Admiralty F4628; NGA 13828.
* Guosheng (Kuosheng) Kang (2)
1971 (station established 1957). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); two white flashes every 15 s. 33 m (108 ft) tapered square skeletal tower with lantern and gallery, mounted on a square stone foundation. Lighthouse painted with black and white horizontal bands. A 2009 photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The original lighthouse, a 21 m (69 ft) skeletal tower, was destroyed by a typhoon in July 1970. Located on a low point of land in Cigu township about 16 km (10 mi) northwest of Tainan. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-013; Admiralty F4630; NGA 13840.
Anping Lighthouse
Anping Light, July 2007
Creative Commons photo by Mark Chang

Chiayi County Lighthouse
Wenkan Tui (Waisanding, Wai-san-ting Chou) (5)
1974 (station established 1914). Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white flash every 4 s. 38 m (125 ft) tapered square skeletal tower with gallery, mounted on a square platform supported by four massive piles. Lighthouse painted black. A good closeup photo is available, DCG has a page with a good photo, and Google has a satellite view. This light station is located near the end of the Waisanding sandbar that stretches for some 20 km (13 mi) southwest from Kouhu. It has been rebuilt or relocated four times to accommodate changes in the sandbar or to replace towers toppled by typhoons. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Site manager: Southwest Coast National Scenic Area. ARLHS TAI-054; Admiralty F4658.4; NGA 13844.

Yunlin County Lighthouses
Mailiao South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); red flash every 3 s. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Mailiao Kang is a large modern harbor enclosed by long breakwaters; it serves Taiwan's largest oil refinery. Located at the end of a short, west-pointing spur off the south breakwater. Probably accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4659.415; NGA 13854.
Mailiao West Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); white flash every 3 s. 23 m (75 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a distant satellite view. Located at the end of the west (outer) breakwater. Probably accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4659.412; NGA 13855.

Changhua County Lighthouses
* Fangyuan (Fong Yuan)
1983. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); white light, 5 s on, 5 s off. 37 m (121 ft) octagonal concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Tower painted with black and white vertical stripes; lantern painted white with a black dome. WunKai Wang's photo is at right, Wu Shiann Yau has an excellent closeup, K.H. Yeh has a photo, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. The lantern was transferred here from the Taichung (Cingshuei) lighthouse (see below). Located on the north side of Fangyuan. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-007; Admiralty F4659.5; NGA 13852.

Taichung City Lighthouses
Taichung South Breakwater
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); red flash every 2 s. 20 m (66 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted red. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of the south breakwater at Taichung harbor. Probably accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-028; Admiralty F4660.6; NGA 13904.
Taichung Main Channel Range Front
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 45 m (147 ft); continuous light, white, red or green depending on direction. 42 m (138 ft) tapered square skeletal tower with gallery. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located on a main quay just inside the entrance to Taichung Kang (harbor). Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-049; Admiralty F4660.94; NGA 13906.

Fangyuan Light, September 2009
Creative Commons photo by WunKai Wang
* Taichung Main Channel Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 70 m (230 ft); continuous white light. 67 m (220 ft) tapered square skeletal tower with gallery. No photo available, but Google has a good satellite view. Located at a major street intersection just east of the harbor facilities. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-049; Admiralty F4660.941; NGA 13907.
* Taichung Kang
1982. Active; focal plane 62 m (202 ft); three white flashes every 30 s. 63 m (206 ft) 2-story light tower with double gallery, mounted atop a huge concrete warehouse. The building is unpainted light gray concrete. Blair Yu has a 2010 photo, DCG has a page for the station, and Google has a satellite view. Located on the main north quay just inside the entrance to Taichung Kang (harbor). Site open, tower closed. ARLHS TAI-052; Admiralty F4660.15; NGA 13896.
Taichung North Breakwater (Taichung Harbor)
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 21 m (69 ft); white flash every 2 s. 20 m (66 ft) round concrete tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. This breakwater extends about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) into the Taiwan Strait, considerably beyond the end of the south breakwater. Located at the end of the north breakwater at Taichung harbor. Probably accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. ARLHS TAI-026; Admiralty F4660.4; NGA 13900.
Taichung Entry Channel Range Rear
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 39 m (128 ft); continuous yellow light. 39 m (128 ft) square skeletal tower mounted on a square platform supported by piles. No photo available, but Google has a satellite view. The front light is on a short skeletal tower at an elbow of the north breakwater. Located about 600 m (0.4 mi) offshore on the north side of the north breakwater at Taichung harbor. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower closed. Admiralty F4660.481; NGA 13901.1.
* Taichung North Jetty
Date unknown. Active; focal plane 13 m (43 ft); three white flashes every 10 s. 12 m (39 ft) round strongly tapered concrete tower attached to a square 1-story equipment shelter. Lighthouse (including the equipment shelter) painted with red and white horizontal bands. A closeup photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the end of a short pier at the south entrance to a small boat harbor north of Taichung's main harbor area. Accessible by walking the pier. Site open, tower closed. Admiralty F4660.2; NGA 13940.
* Gaomei (Kaomei, Gau-mei)
1967. Inactive since 1982, but maintained as a daybeacon. Approx. 34 m (112 ft) tapered octagonal concrete tower with gallery, painted with red and white horizontal bands. Lantern removed and transferred to the Fangyuan lighthouse (see above). WunKai Wang has the closeup at right and a second view, and Google has a satellite view. The red and white banded daymark is unique in Taiwan. Located on the coast in Cingshuei township, about 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of Taichung harbor. Site open, tower closed. ex-Admiralty F4660.1.
Gaomei Light
Gaomei Light, July 2009
Creative Commons photo by WunKai Wang

Information available on lost lighthouses:

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Posted September 11, 2007. Checked and revised August 23, 2011. Lighthouses: 54. Site copyright 2011 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.