Taoyuan City Guanyin District Baishajia Lighthouse

Taoyuan City Guanyin District Baishajia Lighthouse

◎ Attractions：

The Baishajia Lighthouse is situated on the Guanyin coast, and it is the second tallest lighthouse in Taiwan. Before the lighthouse in Taichung Harbor was built, it was also the westernmost lighthouse on the main island of Taiwan. A circular pathway has been built around the lighthouse which can also be used to access the Guanyin beach recreational area. The white structure of the Baishajia Lighthouse is even more dazzling between the blue sky and the ocean. After it officially came into use in 1901, the lighthouse had already become a famous attraction Taiwan during the Japanese occupation era. A century later, in 2001, it was selected by the Council for Cultural Affairs as one of the "One Hundred Historic Sites in Taiwan". The main structure of the lighthouse, its surrounding walls, and the sundial from the Japanese era were chosen the following year as the first county level historical site of Taoyuan. It is currently the most well-preserved lighthouse from the early Japanese colonial period.



This brick round lighthouse was established in 1901, located at Guanyin Township, Taoyuan county. This is the third lighthouse built in Taiwan under Japanese administration, and the location has significant values on both military and economics.

Baishajia Lighthouse has a height of around 37 meters, second only to the Eluanbi Lighthouse in Kenting. The most unique feature of this lighthouse is that it is the only lighthouse in Taiwan constructed from bricks and stones, unlike the concrete lighthouses generally found throughout Taiwan. During the late Qing dynasty, lighthouse equipment was usually imported from England or France. The manufacturer would first cast and construct the main structure and lighting components then ship the parts to their destination where everything would be assembled. The Baishajia Lighthouse, which took three years to complete, was not made from soldered iron but instead from what is known in Japanese as "stone bricks". The double-layered stone bricks were unique in being earthquake-resistant; the circular body of the tower was constructed from these bricks and cemented together with the ancient adhesive substance made from glutinous rice, brown sugar, and lime. The upper section of the lighthouse is constructed from large pieces of stone layered together to form a framework to support the upper section, which was constructed from cast iron. Even after the bombardment of shells during both world wars, numerous earthquakes and natural disasters, the lighthouse has never suffered any significant damage.

The 37-meters tall Baisha Cape Light House is situated on the coast of Guanyin. After completion, it became a main tourist attraction along Taoyuan's coast. The plan for constructing this light house began in 1896. Construction started in 1898, and the light house was completed and operational in January 1901. The light house is a round structure made of bricks. It has withstood many earthquakes and typhoons and is still rock solid today. It lights up the Taiwan Strait and serves as protection for vessels that ply the ocean.

Today, the light house continues to stand tall, bringing light to the Taiwan Strait and guarding ships passing by. The lighthouse structure and its interior design have endured the passing of a century. The Japanese era sundial has also been well preserved; it once held the important task of determining when to switch the lights from the lighthouse on and off by establishing the time, bearing, and latitude from the position of its shadow. Also, a clock manufactured by the Shanghai Machinery Bureau, as well as a century-old chinaberry tree which existed since the Japanese colonial era are both still standing tall inside the garden.

This bright light of the Taiwan Strait stands in a serene environment surrounded by a stream, bridge, rice fields, and ponds, there is also a boardwalk and winding walk path. The lighthouse is a perfect backdrop for picture taking. If you rode a bike, you can leave it on the side of the road and enter the area on foot.

Inside the visitor's area is an information room where a tour guide explains the detailed information on the various equipment found in the lighthouse. In the vicinity of the lighthouse are a circular walk path, park, pavilion, plaza, and children's play area. The walk path follows along the bank of the Guanyin River, apart from the stream and bridges, rice fields and ponds, the famous windmill from the Guanyin coast can also be seen in the distance. The clock tower plaza and the pedestrian arch bridge are wonderful locations for taking wedding photos.

◎ Traffic：
● Public transportation information：
Take the train to Zhongli Railway Station, continue by Taoyuan Bus (No. 5039) to Baisha Cape Lighthouse stop.

● Car traffic information：
Nat'l Hwy 1 → Exit at the Pingzhen System Interchange → Prov. Hwy 66 → Prov. Hwy 15 → County Hwy 112 → Guangming Rd. → Baisha Cape Lighthouse



◎ Google Map Navigation：Google Map input「Baishajia Lighthouse」、「白沙岬燈塔」



◎ Opening Hours： April to October：09:00~18:00、November to March：09:00~17:00. Closed on Mondays

◎ Admission：Free

◎ Public Utilities：
● Parking Lot：Existence（Free）
● Public Toilet：Existence
● Trash Can：Existence
● Convenience Store：No

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