Dongyong Lighthouse (Dongyin Island Lighthouse)

The Dongyong Lighthouse (also known as Dongyin Island Lighthouse), a "white pearl of the night" at the northern border, is situated on the mountainside of Shiwei Mountain, marking the easternmost point of the Matsu archipelago. Often called the Northern Frontier Lighthouse, its 13-meter-high, pure white brick tower exhibits an 18th-century European architectural style, standing majestically on a sheer cliff. Its construction began in 1901 (the 27th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign) after the 450-foot steamship "Subron" sank near Dongyong due to striking a reef. Although passengers and cargo were salvaged, the shipping company suffered significant losses. This incident, coupled with the booming import-export trade after the opening of Sandu'ao port, prompted the lighthouse's creation. In 1988, it was designated a Level 3 National Monument by the Council for Cultural Affairs, and in 2016, it was elevated to a National Historic Site, making it the northernmost historic landmark in the Taiwan-Fujian region. In its early days, the lighthouse was in a restricted area, and keepers resided there with their families. To ensure their sustenance, chicken coops and pigsties were even established. During times of scarcity, people outside envied the keepers, affectionately referring to the site as "Dongyin Villa." Originally, two fog cannons were installed on the cliff below the lighthouse, but these have since been replaced by a single foghorn for navigational assistance. Facing the East China Sea, the lighthouse's white silhouette stands proudly on the sheer cliffs, beautifully contrasting with the deep blue waters below.