The Fugui Cape Lighthouse and the Qimei Islet Lighthouse in Penghu will open to tourists this year

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Maritime and Port Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications currently manages 35 lighthouses. Among them, those already open to the public include the Sandiao Cape Lighthouse in New Taipei City, Kaohsiung, Eluanbi, Yiweng Island, Dongyin, Dongju Islet, the Guanyin Bisha Cape Lighthouse in Taoyuan County, the Green Island Lighthouse, and the Gaomei Lighthouse in Taichung. To promote the beauty of lighthouses and develop new travel routes in Taiwan, the bureau plans to openthe “Fugui Cape Lighthouse” in New Taipei City and the “Qimei Islet Lighthouse” in Penghu. The bureau aims to have a total of 13 lighthouses open to tourists by the end of 2016.


▲ Fugui Cape Lighthouse on the North Coast. (Photo / Provided by North Guan Office)

The Fugui Cape Lighthouse is an important landmark on the North Coast. Originally called the Fugi Cape Lighthouse, it was built and completed by the Japanese during their occupation in 1897, making it over 100 years old. The tower features an octagonal iron structure, standing about 14.3 meters tall. In 1962 (the 51st year of the Republic of China), it was rebuilt as an octagonal concrete tower.

The Qimei Islet Lighthouse is located in Penghu and was completed in 1939. It is the last lighthouse built by the Japanese in Taiwan and is also known as the “Nanhu Lighthouse.” Qimei Islet is situated at the southernmost tip of the Penghu Archipelago and is the fifth largest island among the 90 islands of Penghu. The lighthouse is white in color, 8.3 meters tall, and is an open-style lighthouse.

Fugui Cape Lighthouse
Features: The northernmost lighthouse on Taiwan proper, approximately 14.3 meters tall
Location: Fugui Cape, Shimen District, New Taipei City

Public Transport: Take the Tamsui-bound or Keelung-bound bus from in front of Tamsui MRT Station or next to Keelung Railway Station and get off at the “Lidai Kou” stop
By Private Car (or Motorcycle):
1. Highway No. 3 (Exit at Jinshui Interchange) → Provincial Highway No. 3 → Wanli → Jinshan → Shimen (25 km mark on Provincial Highway No. 2)
2. Highway No. 1 (Exit at Wugu Interchange) → Expressway No. 64 → Bali-Wugu area (toward Tamsui) → Guandu Bridge → Zhubei → Hongshulin → Provincial Highway No. 2 → Sanchi → Shimen (25 km mark on Provincial Highway No. 2)
3. Taipei → Shilin → Guandu → Zhubei → Hongshulin → Provincial Highway No. 2 → Sanchi → Shimen (25 km mark on Provincial Highway No. 2)

▲ Penghu Qimei Islet Lighthouse (Photo / Screenshot fromMaritime and Port Bureauofficial website)

Qimei Islet Lighthouse
Features: The southernmost lighthouse in the Penghu Archipelago, approximately 8.3 meters tall
Location: Located at the top of the southern cliff of Qimei Islet.