Xiyu Dongtai Introduction
After the end of the Sino-French War in 1885, Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang Yang Changjun and Taiwan Governor Liu Mingchuan personally inspected Penghu and proposed that "the Penghu Island is isolated and dangerous; it is the gateway to Fujian and Taiwan. We must build strong fortifications, purchase advanced artillery, and station elite troops to adequately defend it." They repeatedly requested to strengthen the maritime defense of Penghu and suggested building a city in Magong. The Qing court adopted their proposals and appointed Wu Honglu as the first Commander of Penghu. Upon his arrival in Penghu, Wu was ordered to construct Magong City and establish four new Armstrong-style coastal artillery fortifications: North Fort of Dacheng, Jinguaitou Fort, East Fort of Xiyu, and West Fort of Xiyu. During the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, the Japanese army landed at the eastern side of Penghu Island and advanced toward Magong City, leaving records of battles between the defenders at East Fort of Xiyu and the Japanese troops. In World War II, due to the U.S. military's island-hopping strategy, after conquering the Philippines, they bypassed Taiwan and Penghu to directly attack Okinawa, resulting in the fortifications in Penghu not facing direct bombardment from U.S. warships, thus allowing the coastal artillery fortifications to remain intact to this day. The East Fort of Xiyu was designated as a national historical site by the Ministry of the Interior on November 23, 1991. Source: National Cultural Heritage Database 【Recommended stay time】 2 hours
The East Taiwan Fortress faces south and has the architectural style of barracks.
Dongtai Old Fortress
