Waian Introduction
Wai'an Village is located in the southern part of Xiyu Township, adjacent to Neian Village to the north, featuring a natural barrier that protects it from the northeast monsoon. It has become the most populated community in Xiyu Township. Due to the terrain, it is suitable for developing the fishing industry, which serves as the main livelihood for most residents. The residents primarily practice Taoism, with Wenwang Temple serving as the spiritual center of Wai'an Village, where the deity Wenfu Wangye is worshipped. During the Lantern Festival, Wenwang Temple becomes a central hub for activities, hosting events such as turtle requests and peace bridge celebrations. In the evening, fishermen, grateful for divine protection, pray for bountiful catches in the coming year. Nearly a thousand fishing boats gather at Wai'an Fishing Port, lighting up the fishing lanterns in a prayer for blessings. The bright lights of these fishing lanterns illuminate the night sky for three consecutive days, creating the exclusive Lantern Festival phenomenon known as "Wai'an Fishing Lights," which attracts many visitors. Those wishing to enjoy views of Wai'an Fishing Port can go to the Wai'an Three Immortals Pagoda, located at a higher elevation, providing an overview of the entire Wai'an Village. The Wai'an Three Immortals Pagoda, also known as Xipu Three Immortals Pagoda, is situated on top of a hill southwest of Wenwang Temple in Wai'an Village. It features three stone pagodas standing on a cliff, with a square stone base below and a conical stone upper section, approximately 2 meters high and 1 meter in diameter. It serves a function to ward off evil spirits, and the main pagoda is embedded with a basalt stele. Additionally, there is the "Wai'an Decoy Cannon," rated as one of the top ten historic buildings in Penghu County. During World War II, the Japanese used cement to cover a fake cannon in a depression on elevated terrain to mislead the United States Air Force from bombing. The decoy cannon features an octagonal base and twin barrels, measuring 5.35 meters in width, with barrels 6.13 meters long and spaced 3.16 meters apart, achieving the goal of deceiving the enemy. It is a rare and special military facility, serving as a testament to World War II and reflecting the strategic geographical importance of Wai'an. Furthermore, near the old Wude Airport in Magong, Penghu, there is also a Wude Decoy Cannon, believed to be built around the same time as the Wai'an Decoy Cannon and the Gongbei decoy tank, adding significant historical value.
Wai'an Three Immortals Pagoda
