Jin Suo Pai Lighthouse

Jin Suo Pai Lighthouse

Jin Suo Pai Lighthouse is a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province.

Jin Suo Pai Lighthouse is situated on Jin Suo Pai Reef, east of Shanghengdang Island (i.e., beneath the bridge pier between Shanghengdang and Xiahengdang Islands). This reef was known as Fanluo Pai during the - War. Before the - War, Lin Zexu set up wooden rafts and iron chains between Shanghengdang Island, this reef, and Dongguan’s Jingyuan Battery. These could be opened or closed, functioning as the “Golden Lock and Bronze Barrier” of the Humen Fortress to block ships in the river. Later, it became known as Jin Suo Pai after piles were driven into it to construct an iron barrier across the river. It covers an area of approximately 0.0004 square kilometers. In the Pearl River basin, small reefs are called “pai,” slightly larger ones are called “jiao,” even larger formations like Shanbanzhou are called “zhou,” followed by “wei” and then “sha.”

Jin Suo Pai Lighthouse was first built in the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1906), constructed by the Guangzhou Customs at the time. Initially, it used kerosene lamps as the light source, which were later replaced by acetylene lamps. In July 1987, it was renovated— a white circular fiberglass tower was added atop the square tower, bringing the total height to 13 meters, and new lighting equipment was installed.

Jin Suo Pai Lighthouse is the earliest maritime lighthouse in Guangzhou and holds significance for understanding the development of Guangzhou’s maritime history.

In March 1993, due to the construction of the Humen Bridge’s piers on Jin Suo Pai Reef, the lighthouse was obscured and thus ceased operation. Shanbanzhou Lighthouse is the only remaining operational modern maritime lighthouse in Guangzhou.

In 2015, it was designated as a cultural relic protection unit of Guangdong Province by the People’s Government of Guangdong Province.

Nansha Subdistrict: Nansha Subdistrict is located in the southeastern part of Nansha District, covering a total area of 54 square kilometers. The subdistrict currently has 15 village committees, 3 (agricultural) forest farms, 4 community resident committees, a permanent population of 32,000, and a non-local population of 78,000. The area mainly consists of low hills, plateaus, and alluvial plains. It faces the Pearl River Estuary to the southeast, with the Humen and Jiaomen waterways leading to the sea to the northeast and southwest, respectively. Huangshalu, with an elevation of 295 meters, is the highest point in the district. Nansha Subdistrict boasts a long cultural history. Dajiaoshan Fort was the first line of defense of the Humen Fortress and the site where the first shot of the Opium War was fired. It is a national key cultural relic protection unit... More details about Nansha Subdistrict ++

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of Guangdong Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Units