Kaohsiung Lighthouse

Kaohsiung Lighthouse

Kaohsiung Lighthouse
Location	Kaohsiung Taiwan
Coordinates	22°36′54″N 120°15′54″E
Tower
Constructed	1883
Construction	masonry tower
Height	15.2 metres (50 ft)
Shape	octagonal prism tower with balcony and lantern
Markings	white tower, black lantern dome and rail
Power source	mains electricity
Operator	Maritime and Port Bureau
Heritage	historic site
Light
First lit	1918 (restored)
Focal height	58.2 metres (191 ft)
Light source	mains power
Intensity	850,000 candela
Range	25.2 nautical miles (46.7 km; 29.0 mi)
Characteristic	Fl (4) W 30s.

The Kaohsiung Lighthouse (Chinese: 高雄燈塔; pinyin: Gāoxióng Dēngtǎ), also called Cihou Lighthouse (Chinese: 旗後燈塔; pinyin: Qíhòu Dēngtǎ) or Cijin Lighthouse (Chinese: 旗津燈塔; pinyin: Qíjīn Dēngtǎ), is a lighthouse in Qijin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

History

Old image of Kaohsiung Lighthouse

After the signing of Convention of Peking in 1860 during the Qing Dynasty rule, the Takau Harbor was opened to foreign traders in 1863. With increasing commercial shipping activities and a lack of a proper ship navigation system, the British engineers built a Chinese-style rectangular red-brick lighthouse at the top of Mount Ki-au (旗後山), at the southern side of the harbor.

During the Japanese rule, in line with the expansion of the harbor, the lighthouse was rebuilt in 1916 as part of the project. It underwent renovation in 1918 to what it looks like today. The base of the lighthouse building was rebuilt in Baroque style.

In 1985, the lighthouse was rated a Class 3 Building of Historical Interest by the Ministry of the Interior and was subsequently opened to the public.

Features

The lighthouse tower provides an excellent view of the entire Port of Kaohsiung.

See also

• List of tourist attractions in Taiwan
• List of lighthouses in Taiwan

External links

• Maritime and Port Bureau MOTC