Lock Harbor North and South Stone Pagoda Introduction
The winter climate in Penghu is harsh, often accompanied by strong winds. Therefore, residents commonly set up talismans such as Shigandang or stone towers to ward off evil and calm the winds. There are two stone towers located at the north and south ends of Suo Port; the northern tower is called the Zi Tower, and the southern tower is called the Wu Tower. Together, they are formally known as the Zi-Wu Pagoda, the most spectacular wind-calming tower in Penghu. Initially, the stone tower had seven tiers, but after it collapsed, it was rebuilt into a nine-tier structure under divine guidance, resulting in its current tall appearance. The nine-tier conical shape is constructed from stacked black basalt, resembling a staircase that rises step by step, topped with a stone tablet that embodies the meaning of "layers upon layers, counting upon counting, climbing to the nine esteemed, preserving forever and ever." Originally, there were many sands by the seaside near the stone tower, but over the years, the strong northeast monsoon has blown them southward, causing them to gradually disappear. Thus, a local saying emerged: "Suo Port lost a grain of mountain, Zhu Mu brought a bank of sand," referring to the sands of Suo Port being blown to the beaches of the southern mountains. Consequently, residents built the two stone towers not only to compensate for the loss of the nearby mountains affecting Feng Shui but also to pray that the sea sand would no longer be blown away. Due to the surrounding lack of high mountain barriers, the stone towers also serve as landmarks for residents to identify their positions while fishing at sea. Nearby, there is the famous Suo Port Fishing Harbor and Suo Port Fish Market, where fishing boats laden with fresh catches return to port every morning and afternoon for competitive bidding and retail activities, allowing people to purchase the freshest seasonal seafood. For those who want to witness the underwater world firsthand, the nearby Hang Bay recreational area offers opportunities for diving to get to know Penghu's ocean more intimately!
