Wai'an Introduction
Wai'an Village is located in the southern part of Xiyu Township, bordering Neian Village to the north. With its natural barrier, it is less susceptible to the northeast monsoon, making it the most populated community in Xiyu Township. Due to its terrain, it is suitable for the development of fishing, which is the main livelihood for most residents. The local population primarily practices Taoism, with the Wen Wang Temple serving as the center of faith for Wai'an Village, dedicated to the worship of Lord Wen. During the Lantern Festival, the Wen Wang Temple becomes a central venue for various activities such as the Turtle Blessing and the Peace Bridge, celebrating the occasion. At night, fishermen gather to light fishing lamps as a gesture of gratitude to the heavens, praying for a bountiful catch in the coming year. Nearly a thousand fishing boats converge at Wai'an Fishing Port to participate in this event, illuminating the night sky with the brilliant fishing lights that burn continuously for three days. This exclusive "Wai'an Fishing Lights" spectacle during the Lantern Festival attracts numerous visitors. For a view of Wai'an Fishing Port, one can head to the Wai'an Three Immortals Tower, located at a higher elevation, which overlooks the entire Wai'an Village. The Wai'an Three Immortals Tower, also known as the Xipu Three Immortals Tower, is situated on a hilltop southwest of the Wen Wang Temple in Wai'an Village. It consists of three stone towers serving as talismans, standing on a square stone base with a conical stone structure above it, approximately 2 meters high and 1 meter in diameter, believed to ward off evil spirits. The main tower is inlaid with a basalt monument. Additionally, Wai'an features the "Wai'an Fake Cannon," which is listed as one of the top ten historical sites in Penghu County. During World War II, the Japanese military constructed a false cannon out of cement to mislead American airstrikes. This fake cannon is located in a depression within a plateau, with surrounding trenches connecting related facilities. The appearance of the fake cannon resembles an octagonal gun platform with double barrels, measuring 5.35 meters in width, 6.13 meters in barrel length, and a barrel spacing of 3.16 meters. This unique military installation serves as both a testament to World War II and a reflection of the strategic geographical importance of Wai'an. Furthermore, near the old Wude Airport in the Pengnan District of Magong City, there is another fake cannon believed to have been built around the same time as the Wai'an fake cannon and the Gongbei fake tank, further highlighting its historical significance.
Wai'an Sanxian Pagoda
