Baisha Cape Lighthouse Introduction
Baisha Cape Lighthouse is located at the Guanyin Coast. Before the construction of the Guansheng Lighthouse in Tainan, it was the westernmost lighthouse on the main island of Taiwan. Surrounding the lighthouse is a circular trail that conveniently leads visitors to the Guanyin Coastal Recreation Area. The snow-white tower of Baisha Cape stands out even more strikingly against the blue sky and ocean. Since it was lit and put into service in 1901, it has been a famous scenic spot in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period. After more than a century of history, it was selected in 2001 as one of the "One Hundred Historical Buildings in Taiwan" by the Council for Cultural Affairs. The main body of the lighthouse, its surrounding wall, and the sundial from the Japanese colonial era were designated the first county-designated historic site in Taoyuan in the following year. In May 2021, it was announced as the second national historic site in Taoyuan and is currently the best-preserved lighthouse from the early Japanese colonial period in Taiwan. The Baisha Cape Lighthouse stands approximately 37 meters tall, second only to the Eluanbi Lighthouse in Kenting. What makes this lighthouse unique is that it is the only one in Taiwan constructed using red bricks and stones, contrasting with other lighthouses in Taiwan made of concrete. During the late Qing Dynasty, much of the lighthouse's equipment was imported from Britain and France, where manufacturers would first cast components like the tower body and lighting fixtures, before shipping them by boat to be assembled on site. Although it took three years to complete the Baisha Cape Lighthouse, it was not made of cast iron but adopted a unique double-layer brick and stone structure known as "a brick-stone construction" in Japanese terms, which allows for seismic resistance. The upper section of the circular brick lighthouse is supported by large stone blocks that hold the cast iron top of the tower. The lighthouse has withstood air raids during World War II and multiple earthquakes and storms without significant damage. Today, the lighthouse still stands unwavering, illuminating the Taiwan Strait and safeguarding vessels at sea. The tower and its internal facilities span over a century and still house items from the Japanese colonial era, including a sundial that can determine time, direction, and latitude based on the shadows cast by the sun. There is also a clock manufactured by the Shanghai Machinery Bureau and a century-old 'bitter neem' tree that has thrived since the Japanese colonial period, standing tall in the garden amidst a serene environment. This beacon of the Taiwan Strait is surrounded by tranquil scenery featuring small bridges, flowing water, rice fields, and ponds, as well as wooden paths and refreshing trails. The lighthouse itself serves as an excellent backdrop for photography, with bicycles permitted to park along the roads before entering the park. Within the park, there is a guided tour room that allows visitors to better understand the various equipment inside the lighthouse. The area also includes a circular path, park, pavilions, plaza, and children's play facilities. The trail runs alongside the Guanyin River, offering views of the famous windmills along the Guanyin seaside, while the clock tower plaza and the human-shaped arch bridge over the Guanyin River are popular spots for wedding photography.
