Xitai Ancient Fort

Xitai Ancient Fort

Xitai Ancient Fort is situated on the southern coast of Waian Village, Penghu County, Taiwan Province, in the southwest of Xiyu (West Island). It was advocated for construction by Li Hongzhang of the Qing Dynasty to defend against pirates, hence it is also known as Li Hongzhang Fort. The fortress is entirely concealed within layers of basalt, with thick walls and wide tunnels that could accommodate 54 stationed soldiers. It has now been designated as a first-class historical site. At the end of the fort is a sea cliff, featuring distinct erosional landforms.

Xitai Ancient Fort is situated on a highland overlooking the sea in Waian Village, Xiyu Township. Constructed in 1886 (the 12th year of the Guangxu reign in the Qing Dynasty) by Li Hongzhang, it was built to defend against foreign invaders. Covering an area of 8.15 hectares, it is classified as a first-class historical site in Taiwan. Formerly known as Xitai Ancient Fort Battery, it served as the most frontline, largest-scale, and most powerfully armed battery in Penghu. It consists of several underground tunnels, forming a shape resembling the Chinese character “山” (mountain), with tunnels over 4 meters wide and nearly 4 meters high. The top of the fort is level with the ground and covered with green grass, making it difficult to detect from afar. The fort houses four cannons and accommodated up to 5,000 stationed soldiers at its peak. Its military infrastructure remains well-preserved to this day.