Motu Island Lighthouse Introduction
The black and white striped lighthouse is the landmark of Mu Duo Yu – the Mu Duo Yu Lighthouse. Located about 3.8 nautical miles north of Jibei Island, Mu Duo Yu is named for its shape resembling a “墨斗” (mǒ dǒu), a carpenter's chalk line, which later was phonetically changed to “目斗嶼” (Mu Duo Yu). Among the inhabited islands of the Penghu Archipelago, Mu Duo Yu is the northernmost one, hence it is also referred to as "Beidao" (North Island) and the lighthouse was previously known as the "Beidao Lighthouse". The construction of this lighthouse is closely related to the treacherous underwater terrain surrounding it. The Penghu Archipelago has many strong currents, and there is a saying among fishermen: "one secondary, two howling, three western currents," where the first "one secondary" refers to the large rocky area north of Mu Duo Yu. This area is filled with reefs and turbulent waters, forming a dangerous sea region along with the nearby Er Piao Yu, often leading to maritime disasters. The ruling Japanese at the time constructed this lighthouse to guide ships. To prevent rusting from wind and waves, the base of the lighthouse is built with bricks, while the body is made of cast iron, which is less prone to rust. The exterior features a striking pattern of black and white parallel stripes as a distinctive warning sign. Surrounding buildings serve as dormitories and offices for stationed personnel. The interior of the lighthouse is not open to visitors, but enjoying the magnificent structure from the outside is definitely worth the visit.
