North and South Rock Towers of Suo Port Introduction
The winter climate in Penghu is harsh, often bringing strong winds, so locals frequently set up protective items such as stone talismans or stone towers to ward off the wind and evil spirits. There are two stone towers at the north and south ends of Suo'gang, the northern tower is called Zita (子塔) and the southern tower is called Wuta (午塔), collectively known as the Ziwubao Tower (子午寶塔), which is the most spectacular wind-resisting tower in Penghu. The original stone tower had only seven stories, but after it collapsed and was rebuilt under divine guidance, it was constructed with nine stories, taking on its current tall appearance. The nine-tier conical structure is made of stacked black basalt, resembling a staircase that rises step by step, with a stone tablet at the top inscribed with the meaning "Layers stack upon layers, numbers stack upon numbers, climbing to the nine peaks, may we be eternally blessed." Originally, there were many sands along the coastline near the stone tower, but over the years, strong northeast monsoons blew the sand southward, causing it to gradually disappear. Thus, a local saying goes, "Suo'gang took a mountain grain, the mother pig water took a beach," referring to the sand from Suo'gang being blown to the southern beach. Therefore, the locals built the two stone towers, not only to compensate for the disappearance of the mountain but also to counteract the damage caused by the wind, as well as to pray that the sea sand would no longer be blown away. The stone towers also serve as a navigational marker for fishermen at sea, as there are no high mountains nearby for shelter. The area around the stone towers features the famous Suo'gang Fishing Port and Suo'gang Fish Market, where fishing boats filled with bounty return in the mornings and afternoons for bidding auctions and retail activities, allowing people to purchase the freshest seasonal seafood. For those who want to witness the underwater world firsthand, there is also the nearby Hang Bay Recreation Area, where visitors can dive to learn more about the marine environment of Penghu!
South and North Stone Towers of Suo Port
