Waian Introduction
Wai'an Village is located in the southern part of Xiyu Township, bordered by Neian Village to the north. With its natural barrier, it is less vulnerable to northeast monsoons and has become the most populous community in Xiyu Township. Due to its geographic features, the area is suitable for developing the fishing industry, which is the primary source of livelihood for most residents. The main religion practiced by the residents is Taoism, and the Wen Wang Temple serves as the spiritual center of Wai'an Village, where the deity Wen Fu Wang Ye is worshiped. During the Lantern Festival, the Wen Wang Temple becomes the focal point for community activities, holding events such as the turtle-asking and the peace bridge celebrations. At night, fishermen, in gratitude for divine blessings, pray for a bountiful catch in the coming year. Nearly a thousand fishing boats gather at Wai'an Fishing Port to light fishing lamps in a blessing ritual, creating a spectacular sight known as the "Wai'an Fishing Lights," which illuminates the night sky for three consecutive days and attracts many visitors. To enjoy a view of Wai'an Fishing Port, one can go to the Wai'an Sanxian Pagoda, located at a higher elevation, which overlooks the entire Wai'an Village. The Wai'an Sanxian Pagoda, also known as the Xipu Sanxian Pagoda, is situated on the mountaintop southwest of the Wen Wang Temple in Wai'an Village. It consists of three stone pagodas perched on a cliff, built as a protective measure. The base is a square stone platform, with a conical stone top approximately 2 meters high and a diameter of about 1 meter, serving to ward off evil spirits. The main pagoda features a basalt monument. Wai'an is also home to the "Wai'an Decoy Cannon," recognized as one of the top ten historic buildings in Penghu County. During World War II, the Japanese army constructed a false cannon covered in cement to mislead American bombers. It is located in a depression formed by the tableland and is connected to surrounding facilities by trenches. The decoy cannon features an octagonal base and twin barrels, with a base width of 5.35 meters, barrel length of 6.13 meters, and a distance of 3.16 meters between the barrels. This rare and unique military installation not only serves as a witness to World War II but also reflects the strategic geographical significance of Wai'an. Additionally, near the Wude Old Airport in the Pengnan area of Magong, there is another decoy cannon, speculated to have been built around the same period as the Wai'an decoy cannon and the Gongbei decoy tank, making it historically significant.
Wai'an Three Immortals Pagoda
