Dongding Island, Island outpost in Jinhu Township, Taiwan.
Dongding Island is a small island in the Taiwan Strait that belongs to Kinmen County and sits at its southernmost edge. It features a prominent black-painted lighthouse on its highest point, accessed via a concrete jetty and zigzag stairway.
The island was first recorded on maps during the Ming treasure voyages in the 15th century and served as a navigation landmark for mariners. A lighthouse was constructed there in the 1870s to improve safety in this strategically important waterway.
The island maintains continuous military presence since the 1950s, with fifty personnel stationed under regular supply rotations from mainland bases.
The lighthouse is visible from far away during clear weather and serves sailors as an important navigation guide. Visitors should know that the island is only accessible during stable weather conditions and arrival must be arranged from designated departure points.
The lighthouse was rebuilt multiple times after artillery strikes and shows traces of this military history. Its reconstructions reveal how the island has linked civilian and military purposes over several decades.
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