Dongju Island Lighthouse (Dongqian Lighthouse) Introduction
The East Jue Island Lighthouse, also known as the "East Jue Island Lighthouse," has stood for over a century under the blue sky and white waves. It is located in the northeast of East Jue Island. After the Qing Dynasty lost the Opium War and signed the Treaty of Nanjing with the United Kingdom, coastal trade was opened. To help identify the direction to Fuzhou, a lighthouse was constructed during the Tongzhi period at the request of the British, built in the 11th year of the Tongzhi reign (1872). It was under this historical context that the East Jue Island Lighthouse was born. In 1988, the Ministry of the Interior designated the lighthouse as a second-level historic site in the Taiwan-Fujian region. It is the first lighthouse in Taiwan constructed of granite, painted a brilliant white. The height of the lighthouse is approximately 19.5 meters, and the light, refracted through a crystal lens, can reach a distance of 16.7 nautical miles (about 31 kilometers). The East Jue Island Lighthouse has quietly served for over a hundred years, flashing a signal of one long and two short beams of light every night. Notably, there is a 30-meter-long white windbreak wall on the grass connecting the lighthouse to the office. This is primarily due to the lighthouse being situated in a high area with strong winds. The wall allows staff members to duck and quickly pass through during gusty winds, preventing their kerosene lamps from being extinguished. Baimao Fort - Lighthouse Relic Exhibition Hall Opened in June 2008, the Lighthouse Relic Exhibition Hall features a long white windbreak wall. Local residents refer to this place as "Baimao Fort," characterized by British-style architecture. With an abundant collection of lighthouse relics, it enhances the richness of the lighthouse tourism experience and is a must-visit highlight. East Jue Gun Emplacement One of the hotspots for viewing blue tears, the gun emplacement connected to the East Jue Island Lighthouse was once a military stronghold. The military camp stretches along the coastline for hundreds of meters, with bunkers and howitzers built there. Today, it has become a military tourism site in Matsu, open for visitor tours. Walking along the path enclosed by wooden railings to the small platform at the end offers one of the best spots for viewing blue tears at night! Note: East Jue Island has a rocky terrain, making it hazardous in low light at night. It is advised not to go alone and to have a guide accompany you when viewing the blue tears.
