Filming Location of "The Moon Represents My Heart" – A Fairytale Land: Dongju Island in Matsu

Article and photos by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network

The islands of Nangan and Beigan are the most popular destinations among visitors to Matsu. Those with more time may also visit Dongyin, but relatively few people go to Dongju. Recently, however, due to the domestic film "The Moon Represents My Heart" being shot there, followed by the emergence of the blue beer sea, and even the black-faced spoonbill—a species once thought to be extinct—choosing to appear this year on nearby Snake Island, this fairytale-like destination, Dongju, seems to be gradually coming to life...

Dongju Lighthouse Illuminates British Maritime Power

Dongju, often overlooked by tourists, was targeted by foreigners as early as the Qing Dynasty. In 1872, the lighthouse on Dongju Island was lit for the first time, guiding ships navigating through the rocky islets and reefs of the sea. This light not only directed shipping routes but also served to illuminate British maritime power. Following China’s defeat in the Opium Wars, the Qing government signed the Treaty of Nanjing with Britain, opening five ports for trade. To facilitate the entry and exit of British ships into Fuzhou, the lighthouse was established on Dongju.

As a result, the construction of the lighthouse was entirely led by the British—from design and supervision to the procurement of all equipment, which was purchased from abroad. In the past, lighthouse keepers, when moving between the lighthouse and their residences on steep, windswept slopes at night, built a low wall between them to prevent their lamps from being extinguished by the wind. Today, the Western-style Dongju Island Lighthouse stands out prominently under clear skies. At night, its light still shines—but now solely to illuminate Taiwan’s maritime navigation routes.