First Hotel Introduction
The First Guesthouse is a building from the Japanese colonial period, featuring a mix of Japanese and Western architectural styles. The original guesthouse was constructed by the Japanese government in 1912 to commemorate the 223 officials who died in the explosion of the Matsushima warship in the waters of Penghu in 1908. It primarily served as a place to host Japanese royalty and high-ranking officials. Later, in 1940, with the construction of the first fishing port in Magong, the guesthouse was relocated to a higher ground north of Guanyinting, providing a wider view. After World War II, the Nationalist government took over the guesthouse. President Chiang Kai-shek changed the interior from a Japanese style to a Western living space and built an underground wartime command center. During the 823 Bombardment in Kinmen, it became the center for planning military operations. After President Chiang Kai-shek moved back to Taipei, it was renamed the "First Guesthouse." In 2011, after completing renovations, the First Guesthouse, designated as a county historic site, officially opened to the public. Today, visitors can see the entrance's gabled roof designed in the "Tangbo style," with the floor and walls made of shell sand unique to Penghu. The interior reflects the living conditions of the "Chairman’s Residence," and outside, there is a tranquil and elegant garden, making this blend of Japanese and Western architecture particularly refined.
