Y I C h o u Lighthouse Introduction
The Fisherman’s Island Lighthouse is located on a high ground at the southwestern tip of Xiyu in Waian Village. The total area of Xiyu Island is 17.8380 square kilometers, with an elevation of approximately 52 meters. It stands alongside the main island of Penghu and Baisha Island, being one of the three major islands of the Penghu Archipelago. Fisherman’s Island refers to Xiyu, named by the Portuguese who first labeled it as "Ilha do Pescador" on maritime charts; this name was later carried on in military maps by the Dutch and Japanese. However, the local ancestors have traditionally called it "Xiyu" or "Xiyutou," and the name has persisted through Qing dynasty and Japanese colonial administrative divisions. Xiyu is named as such because it is located to the west of the main island of Penghu, serving as a navigational landmark for early seafarers from the mainland of Fujian and Zhejiang. The lighthouse was first built in 1778 as a seven-level stone tower, originally called "Xiyu Tower Lamp." In 1875, it was rebuilt in a Western style and renamed "Fisherman’s Island Lighthouse," which is what we see today. When it was recently registered as a historical site, it was officially renamed "Xiyu Lighthouse" according to the suggestions of local residents. The lighthouse is perched on a granite base, with a base diameter of about 2.5 meters. The tower slightly recedes upwards, maintaining a height-to-width ratio of approximately 1:2. Inside, there is a spiral iron staircase, and the upper level features a dome-shaped cast iron lantern and a weather vane. At a height of 6.3 meters above the ground, there exists a cast iron working platform enclosed by railings. The tower stands 11 meters tall, with the light situated 60.7 meters above sea level. Next to the lighthouse, there is a洋樓 (Western-style building) constructed with stone, comprising two levels. The roof features a gently sloping four-sided design, with the eaves extending over a small entrance porch. The shutters are styled in a French manner, highlighting its strong European architectural influence. The Fisherman’s Island Lighthouse is equipped with a foghorn, three cast iron fog cannons dating from the mid-Qing dynasty, and retains the stone gourd smoke stack used in earlier times. From the lighthouse park, visitors can enjoy a view of the sea and have the opportunity to observe the famous currents in Xiyu, known as "Xiliu." Among the six major currents in Penghu ("Yixiao," "Erhou," "Sanxiliu," "Siyedou," "Wutamen," and "Liudongji"), "Xiliu" is located in the southern sea area beneath the Xiyu Lighthouse in Waian. Close to low tide, approximately 40 minutes before the tide begins to rise (known as reverse flow), a series of crescent waves appear on the sea surface, extending about 100 to 200 meters and lasting for 4 to 5 hours until about 2 hours before high tide when they cease. This phenomenon becomes particularly spectacular during the autumn equinox. The lighthouse is also featured in the MTV for "The Boy in the Tower" by singer Chen Sheng, where the white structure of the Fisherman’s Island Lighthouse represents the boy's lonely memories, silently watching over the girl as youth gradually fades away with time. Looking back, these memories are like the lyrics, “it’s just a few autumns,” accompanying the sea breeze and lighthouse, standing alone yet steadfast in life's brilliance. When visiting Penghu, one might consider spending a moment with this lighthouse and reflecting on whether there have been individuals in life whom you wished to guard but could only keep hidden in your memories.
Fisherman's Wharf Lighthouse
Fisherman's Wharf Lighthouse
