Xiyu Lighthouse (Fisherman Island Lighthouse) Introduction
The Yuwong Island Lighthouse is designated as a national historic site. It is located at the cape of Yizaiwei on the western side of Wai'an Village in Xiyu Township. The waters to the west of this area are known as "Xiliu," one of the six major currents in Penghu (including Yizhai, Erhou, Sanxiliu, Si'eadou, Wentanmen, and Dongji). Historically, it has served as a navigational marker for ships traveling between Taiwan and Xiamen. In the 43rd year of the Qianlong reign (1778), Jiang Yuanshu, the governor of Taiwan, and Xie Weiqi, the assistant director of the Penghu Grain and Defense Bureau, established the Xiyu Lighthouse to serve as a navigation marker for vessels arriving from Xiamen. This was the first lighthouse built in the Taiwan and Penghu area. The importance of constructing the Xiyu Lighthouse at this location is highlighted in the existing monument inscription: "Penghu sits between Taiwan and Xiamen, and Xiyu is particularly crucial. In times of reliable winds, official and merchant ships surely rely on Xiyu for rest." According to the inscription, the initial structure of the lighthouse was built on the ancient base of a rock, with a foundation width of five zhang (approximately 16.7 meters) and a seven-level octagonal stone tower. Each level stood about seven chi (approximately 2.1 meters), secured for permanence, topped with a bright lamp. A temple was also constructed beside the lighthouse, dedicated to Mazu, the goddess of the sea. The temple's caretaker would light the fire at the top of the tower every evening. Due to the frequent impact of storms over the years, in the 3rd year of the Daoguang reign (1823), Jiang Yong, the magistrate of Penghu, along with Chen Yuanrong, the commander of the Penghu Navy, raised funds to repair the lighthouse. However, the light produced by the oil lamp at the top was insufficient to meet international lighthouse standards. As a result, countries like the UK, US, Japan, and France requested the Qing government to construct a new-style lighthouse. In the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign (1873), personnel from the Fujian Customs were dispatched to purchase land for the new lighthouse and built it along with auxiliary facilities anew. In the 13th year of Tongzhi (1874), British engineer David M. Henderson was hired to design a Western-style lighthouse, transforming the Xiyu Lighthouse into a round cast iron tower painted white, with a triangular lintel featuring the embossed inscription "DAVIDM.HENDERSON 1874." The construction began on July 11, 1875, and was completed in November of the same year. On November 18, the lighthouse began operating with a regular light and employed foreign personnel to maintain it. Near the western side of the lighthouse wall, there remains a grave of the daughter of the British staff who tended the lighthouse, marked with a cross inscribed "Nelly O'Driscoll." After the lighthouse was completed and illuminated, it was officially named the Yuwong Island Lighthouse. The newly constructed Yuwong Island Lighthouse stands 11 meters tall, with a light source 67.7 meters above sea level. Additionally, two foghorns were positioned on the southwestern side for warning passing vessels in foggy conditions. During the Japanese occupation, the lighthouse operations continued as before, and a louvered meteorological observer was added. In 1897, a submarine telephone line was laid between Magong and the Yuwong Island Lighthouse using the telecommunication equipment of the Japanese garrison stationed in Penghu, marking the inception of wired telephony in the Taiwan-Penghu area. During World War II, from July 5 to August 7, 1945, the lighthouse suffered minor damage from bombing raids by American aircraft, and it continued to operate normally. In 1966, the Yuwong Island Lighthouse was upgraded with a fourth-class rotating lens electric light, generating a luminosity equivalent to 180,000 candles, with a light range of 25.1 nautical miles. In 1981, two "electronic fog signals" were added to enhance navigation safety for vessels in low visibility conditions. 【Recommended visiting time】2 hours
Western Islet Lighthouse (Yu-ong Island Lighthouse)
