Dongyin Lighthouse Introduction
One of the most attractive aspects of Dongyin is its sunrise. Whether it's a loving couple, a family, or friends, they all gather at the best vantage point — in front of the Dongyung Lighthouse — to welcome a beautiful day, watching the sun slowly rise, a feeling that is perhaps indescribable in words! The Dongyung Lighthouse is situated on the hillside of Shiwai Mountain on Dongyin Island. With its pure white structure and circular blue dome, standing 13 meters tall, it rises beside a cliff. During the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, the Treaty of Shimonoseki established a trading port at Mawei, and to guide vessels in and out, this lighthouse was designed and built by a British engineer. It is also one of the few British-style buildings in the Matsu Archipelago. In 1988, it was designated as a national third-class monument by the National Cultural Heritage Administration, making it the northernmost historic site in the Taiwan and Fujian regions. In the early days, the lighthouse was located in a restricted area, and the lighthouse keeper was required to live there with their family. To supply food for the staff, chicken coops and pig pens were set up, making those outside the tower envious of the lighthouse keeper's life, referring to the place as the “Dongyin Villa.” At the edge of the cliff below the lighthouse, there were originally two fog guns, which have now been replaced with a foghorn to assist navigation. Facing the East China Sea, the white tower stands majestically on the cliff, reflecting the deep blue ocean below, creating a captivating scene. Visitors can easily find this lighthouse by following the winding path alongside the low white concrete railing.
