Cape San Diego Lighthouse, Lighthouse in Gongliao District, Taiwan
Cape San Diego Lighthouse is a white cylindrical tower perched on Taiwan's eastern edge where the coastline drops sharply toward the Pacific. The structure has guided maritime traffic past this remote headland for generations.
The lighthouse was established in 1935 with an early coal-oil lamp system that produced white and red signals. Over the following decades it underwent upgrades to stay relevant as navigation technology changed.
The lighthouse marks Taiwan's easternmost point and has long served as a reference point for local fishers navigating the waters offshore. Visitors can explore exhibits inside showing equipment and objects related to maritime life along this coast.
The site is reachable by road but the paths to the tower itself are uneven and sometimes steep in places. Sturdy footwear is a good idea, and visitors should be cautious during windy or wet weather on the grounds.
Alongside the tower, the grounds also contain a small chapel set on grassy slopes and a radar station topped with a distinctive dome. This unusual combination of religious and technical structures creates an unexpected character at this remote coastal point.
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