Green Island Lighthouse Introduction
In December 1937, the luxurious ocean liner "President Hoover," considered at the time to be the largest in the world, departed from Keelung to the Philippines. Due to thick fog, it ran aground in the waters off Green Island's Huijiyu (Chai Kou) area. The following morning, residents of Green Island launched boats to rescue the crew and passengers, bringing them ashore and providing shelter in their homes, which received widespread international acclaim. To thank the residents for their bravery, American authorities donated funds through the Red Cross to construct the Green Island Lighthouse. During World War II, the lighthouse was destroyed in an air raid, and the present lighthouse was rebuilt by the Republic of China government in 1948. The Green Island Lighthouse stands approximately 33.3 meters tall and has 150 steps; from the top, one can overlook the entire island. The structure is made of reinforced concrete and has a cylindrical shape, originally featuring alternating black and white stripes. After its reconstruction in 1948, it was entirely painted pure white. The current lighthouse employs a modern four-tier rotating lens electric light, flashing twice with white light every 20 seconds, with a luminous strength equivalent to one million candlepower, allowing mariners to better navigate by the light. Since 2013, all lighthouses in Taiwan have been managed by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the tower is not open to the public. However, the Green Island Lighthouse area is open for public sightseeing. From March to May each year, wild lilies bloom abundantly, providing a beautiful sight in front of the Green Island Lighthouse for visitors to enjoy.
