Dongtai Island, Xiyu Introduction
After the conclusion of the Sino-French War in 1885, Governor Yang Changjun of Fujian and Zhejiang and Taiwanese Governor Liu Mingchuan personally inspected the Penghu Islands and proposed that "this island is isolated and dangerous, serving as a gateway to Fujian and Taiwan; it is essential to construct strong fortifications, purchase efficient artillery, and station elite troops to ensure defense." They repeatedly petitioned to strengthen the maritime defenses of Penghu and suggested constructing a city in Magong. The Qing court accepted their proposal and appointed Wu Hongluo as the first general of Penghu. Upon his arrival in Penghu, Wu was ordered to build Magong City and newly establish four modern Armstrong coastal defense artillery platforms: the North Fortress, Jinguaitou Fortress, East Platform of Xiyu, and West Platform of Xiyu. In the 21st year of Guangxu (1895), during the Sino-Japanese War, Japanese forces landed at the east side of Penghu Island at Longmenli and attacked Magong City, with records of engagements between the defenders at the East Platform of Xiyu and the Japanese forces. During World War II, due to the American military using an island-hopping strategy, after capturing the Philippines, they bypassed Taiwan and Penghu to directly attack Okinawa. Therefore, the coastal artillery platforms on Penghu Island did not engage in direct artillery fire with American warships, allowing them to remain intact to this day. The East Platform of Xiyu was designated as a national historic site by the Ministry of the Interior on November 23, 1991. Source: National Cultural Heritage Database 【Recommended Stay Duration】 2 hours
The Dongtai Fortress is oriented south to north, featuring a barrack-style architecture.
Dongtai Fortress
