Dongyong Lighthouse (Dongyin Lighthouse) Introduction
The White Pearl of the Northern Border: Dongyin Lighthouse (also known as Dongyong Island Lighthouse) is located on the slope of Shiwei Mountain, at the farthest eastern point of the Matsu archipelago. It is also referred to as the North Border Lighthouse. The lighthouse features a pure white brick tower, standing 13 meters tall, and is characterized by an 18th-century European architectural style, perched on a rugged cliff. The construction of Dongyin Lighthouse originated in the 27th year of the Guangxu reign (around 1901), when the 450-foot-long ship "SS Subra" sank after running aground near Dongyin. Although the passengers and cargo were safe, the shipping company suffered significant losses. Moreover, with the opening of Sandu Bay and the subsequent doubling of import and export trade, the establishment of the Dongyin Lighthouse was finally realized. In 1988, it was designated as a national third-class historic site by the Council for Cultural Affairs and was upgraded to a national historic site in 2016, making it the northernmost historic site in the Taiwan and Fujian area. In the early days, the lighthouse was located in a restricted area, and the lighthouse keeper had to live there with their family. To provide food for the staff, chicken coops and pigsties were established. During times of material scarcity, those outside the tower envied the lighthouse keepers, leading to the nickname "Dongyin Villa". Two fog guns were originally set up on the cliff below the lighthouse, and a foghorn has now been added to assist navigation. The lighthouse faces the East China Sea, and its white shape stands out against the deep blue waters below, creating a captivating scene. Visitors can find the lighthouse by winding their way up along a low white concrete railing. Note: To reach Dongyin Lighthouse, vehicles must be parked at the end of the road, and visitors must follow a trail that winds through Leigu Rock and Taibai Sounds to reach the lighthouse entrance.
