Baisha Cape Lighthouse Introduction
Cape Baisha Lighthouse is located on the Guanyin Coast. Before the construction of the National Guosheng Lighthouse in Tainan, it was the westernmost lighthouse on Taiwan's main island. The area features a circular trail and offers access to the Guanyin Coastal Recreation Area. The lighthouse's white tower stands out even more against the blue sky and sea. It was lit and put into operation in 1901 and became a famous scenic spot in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. After over a century, it was selected as one of the "One Hundred Historical Buildings in Taiwan" by the Council for Cultural Affairs in 2001. The main structure of the lighthouse, its surrounding wall, and the sundial from the Japanese era were declared the first county-designated historic site in Taoyuan, and in May 2021, it was announced as the second national historic site in Taoyuan, making it the best-preserved lighthouse from the early Japanese colonial period. The lighthouse stands approximately 37 meters tall, second only to the Eluanbi Lighthouse in Kenting. Its uniqueness lies in being the only lighthouse in Taiwan constructed of red bricks and stone, distinguishing it from others made of concrete. During the late Qing Dynasty, most lighthouse equipment was imported from Britain and France. The manufacturer cast the components, such as the tower and the light fixtures, then transported them to the site by ship for assembly, taking three years to complete. Unlike those made of cast iron, the Baisha Cape Lighthouse is uniquely constructed with a double-layer of brick and stone for earthquake resistance, as termed in Japanese "renkawa sekizō." The upper portion of the circular brick lighthouse is constructed with large stone blocks to support the cast iron top, which has endured aircraft bombardments during World War II and several earthquakes and storms without serious damage. Today, the lighthouse still stands steadfast, illuminating the Taiwan Strait and safeguarding ships passing through. Its construction and internal facilities span over a century, preserving several historical artifacts from the Japanese colonial period, including a sundial used to determine time, direction, and latitude based on the shadow cast by the sun, which was crucial for operating the lighthouse. Additionally, there is a clock manufactured by the Shanghai Machine Bureau and a century-old chinaberry tree that has stood tall in the garden since the Japanese era. This lighthouse of the Taiwan Strait is surrounded by a tranquil environment, featuring small bridges, rice fields, and ponds, alongside wooden walkways and cool pathways. The lighthouse itself provides a great backdrop for photographs, and bicycles can be parked by the roadside before walking into the park. Within the park, there is a guide room where visitors can learn more about the lighthouse's equipment. Next to the lighthouse, there is a circular walking path, a park, pavilions, a plaza, and children's play facilities. The trail runs along the Guanyin River, offering scenic views of the famous wind turbine landscape along the Guanyin coastline. The bell tower plaza and the arched bridge over the Guanyin River are also excellent spots for wedding photography.
