Matsu Jin Gui Tou Lighthouse Cultural Park Introduction
Jin Kui Tou Fort was built by the general Wu Honglu and is one of the most powerful forts in all of Penghu, alongside Xiyu West Fort and Xiyu East Fort. It has experienced Japanese occupation and the Qing and French Wars. After World War II, it was occupied by the National Army. The original cannons became ineffective for defense and were scrapped in the 1940s. The base was later taken over by the Army’s Penghu Defense Command and a new underground passage was built on the southern side of the fort, leading to the coastline at the foot of the southern hill. Eventually, the military released the site to the Penghu County Government, and it was officially declared a national historic site on November 21, 2001, and is now open for visits. Jin Kui Tou Fort is equipped with Armstrong breech-loading guns of 7, 10, and 12 inches in caliber. The fort's structure is similar to Xiyu West Fort, Xiyu East Fort, and Dacheng North Fort, all made with brick and adobe dome construction. The surrounding ramparts, fortifications, bases, and entrance archway of Jin Kui Tou Fort have been well preserved. At the entrance, you can see the inscription "Tian Nan Suo Yue," written by General Wu Honglu himself. The area can be divided into parts such as gun positions, outer walls, tunnels, officer quarters, soldier barracks, and horse paths, forming a castle-like structure that integrates combat, training, and living spaces. The barracks within the park are partitioned into spaces of various sizes and have become exhibition areas. Due to the presence of the National Army’s communication battalion at the time, the degree of weathering of the historic site has been minimized, allowing its original appearance to be preserved. The site features various military and artillery models and incorporates displays of historical battles in the underground tunnels of Jin Kui Tou Fort, revitalizing the historic site for new uses. Jin Kui Tou Fort has become a new cultural tourism highlight in Penghu. Visitors can not only experience the past battlefield ambiance but also plan a cultural pilgrimage, combining visits to nearby Guanyin Pavilion and Duxing Ten Villages. [Recommended stay time] 2.5 hours.
Overlooking the old traces of the fortifications
After passing the barracks, head towards the underground tunnel.
